Penguin Readers Level 2: Roald Dahl The Magic Finger
Penguin Young Readers, Level 2 Series
on Goodreads (3)
What’s inside...
The story is about a young girl who has a magical ability to punish people when they anger her by simply pointing her finger at them. This leads to a series of enchanting and humorous consequences, especially when she directs her magic finger at the Gregg family, who are hunters. Learn English with The Magic Finger, a Penguin Readers book adapted for learners of English aged 7+. This ELT graded reader series includes simplified text, illustrations, and language learning exercises. Each book is aligned to the CEFR framework A1 to A2+ and includes language activities, fun games, and projects to structure learning. The Magic Finger, a Level 2 Reader, introduces future tenses, present continuous for future meaning, and comparatives and superlatives, supported by illustrations.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Girl
Philip Gregg
William Gregg
Mr. Gregg
Mrs. Gregg
Discussion points
How did you feel about the way the girl used her magic finger? What would you do if you had similar powers?
What changes did the Gregg family experience? How did it affect their perspective on animals?
Why do you think it's important to respect nature and animals? What are some ways we can show respect to them in our daily lives?
How did the characters in the story resolve their problems? What can we learn from their resolutions?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking your child how they would feel if they were in the characters' shoes.
Discuss the moral of the story and relate it to personal experiences or family values to make the connection stronger.
Highlight the power of kindness and the impact of our actions on others, matching real-life examples.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings to the story or alternative ways the characters could solve their conflicts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The protagonist's ability to put herself in the shoes of other creatures significantly alters the perspective and behavior of other characters.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of considering others' feelings and viewpoints in their interactions and decisions.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The story illustrates how actions, like the use of the magic finger, can have unforeseen and significant repercussions.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to think before acting and to understand the potential impact of their choices.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: Through the transformational experiences of the characters, the book highlights the importance of respecting wildlife and the environment.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to engage with and protect nature, fostering a lifelong commitment to environmental stewardship.
Example Lesson: Resolving conflicts
Explanation: The resolution of the story emphasizes communication and understanding as key to solving disputes.
Real-World Application: Children learn effective ways to resolve differences and the value of peaceful solutions.