Penny and Her Marble
#3 of 389 in Penny Series
on Goodreads (2,210)
What’s inside...
In 'Penny and her Marble,' the third book in the Penny series by Caldecott Medalist Kevin Henkes, young mouse Penny finds a marble on her neighbor's lawn. As she contemplates whether to keep it, the story explores themes of honesty and decision making. With age-appropriate vocabulary and compelling characters, this book is ideal for beginning readers. It was honored as a 2014 Geisel Honor book by the American Library Association, recognizing its excellence in children's literature. The story continues the adventures of Henkes's beloved mouse characters, making it a new classic for young readers.
Discussion points
How do you think Penny felt when she took the marble, and why?
What would you have done if you were in Penny's shoes?
Why is it important to be honest? Can you think of a time when you had to choose to be honest?
How did Penny's feelings change throughout the story and what caused those changes?
What do you think is the message of this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, emphasize the feelings and moral decisions that Penny makes to help your child understand her emotions.
Ask your child to relate personal experiences where they faced a similar dilemma as Penny, fostering empathy and deeper connection to the story.
Use expressive reading methods, changing your tone for different characters and situations to make the story more engaging and understandable for your child.
Encourage your child to think about what honesty means to them and discuss its value in your family, tying in personal family values with the lesson from the book.
After discussing, encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene from the book, helping them recall and process the story visually and creatively.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Right from Wrong
Explanation: In 'Penny and Her Marble', Penny grapples with the guilt of taking a marble that isn't hers. Her internal struggle highlights the concept of right versus wrong.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to evaluate their actions and consider the feelings of others before making decisions, reinforcing ethical behavior.
Example Lesson: Importance of Confession and Honesty
Explanation: Penny's decision to confess to taking the marble teaches the value of honesty. Her relief upon confessing showcases the positive outcomes of being truthful.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to admit their mistakes and understand that honesty can lead to resolution and peace.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Anxiety and Guilt
Explanation: Penny experiences anxiety and guilt after taking the marble, which is depicted through her actions and thoughts throughout the book.
Real-World Application: Children can relate this to their own feelings when they know they've done something wrong, learning how to cope with and address these emotions constructively.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: By returning the marble, Penny shows empathy towards the owner's potential feelings of loss, highlighting the importance of considering others' emotions.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand and value empathy, teaching them to think about how their actions affect others.