Peanut Butter & Jelly
#3 of 9 in Narwhal and Jelly Series
on Goodreads (3,050)
What’s inside...
Narwhal's obsession with his new favorite food, peanut butter, leads him into hijinks and hilarity in the third book of this all-star early graphic novel series. Narwhal and Jelly are back, and this time, Narwhal is so obsessed with peanut butter that he wants to change his name to Peanut Butter! Although Jelly isn't sure if that's the best idea, he supports Narwhal's enthusiasm for trying new things. This book features three new stories about trying new things, favorite foods, and accepting who we are. The powerful combination of positive thinking, imagination, and joyfulness makes this underwater duo charming once again. This is an Amazon Best Children's Book of the Year selection.
Discussion points
What do you think makes Peanut Butter and Jelly such great friends?
How do you think Jelly felt when Peanut Butter made a new friend?
If you were in this story, what kind of sandwich would you be and why?
What does this story teach us about friendship and accepting differences?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend like Peanut Butter helped Jelly?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a warm and curious tone when asking these questions to make your child feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.
Relate the questions to your child's own experiences with friends to make the conversation more personal and meaningful.
Encourage your child to not only answer the questions but to ask their questions about the story to stimulate critical thinking.
Listen actively to your child’s responses, showing interest and encouraging them to expand on their ideas.
Praise your child for their thoughts and insights, reinforcing their confidence in expressing opinions and ideas.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: In 'Peanut Butter & Jelly', Peanut Butter is on a quest to find his missing friend, Jelly. The story showcases how Peanut Butter values their friendship and goes to great lengths to find Jelly.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and nurture their friendships, understanding the importance of having friends and being a good friend in return.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Peanut Butter encounters various challenges and puzzles that he needs to solve to find Jelly. These adventures demonstrate effective problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to think critically and creatively to solve problems they encounter, whether in school projects or in resolving conflicts with peers.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Peanut Butter does not give up on his search for Jelly, despite several obstacles and setbacks. His determination is a key theme throughout the story.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of persistence and resilience in achieving goals, helping them tackle difficult tasks or learning new skills without giving up.
Example Lesson: Embracing differences
Explanation: During his journey, Peanut Butter meets various characters who are different from him. He learns to accept and embrace these differences, which enriches his experience.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to appreciate diversity and be open to learning from others who might not look, think, or act like them.