Percy, the small engine, and the scarf: A pop-up book (Railway series pop-up books)
#11 of 65 in Railway Series
on Goodreads (6)
What’s inside...
In this pop-up book featuring Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends, Percy has trouble with the weather and acquires an unusual scarf. In cold weather, Percy wishes he had a scarf, until one day he runs over Sir Topham Hatt's luggage, and the clothes inside fly all around, resulting in Percy unexpectedly getting a scarf.
Discussion points
What do you think Percy felt when he found the scarf? How would you feel in his situation?
Why is it important to take care of our belongings, like Percy and the scarf?
How do you think the story would change if Percy didn’t find the scarf? What would you do if you were Percy?
What can we learn from Percy’s adventure about helping others?
How do the other characters in the book react to Percy’s situation? What does this tell us about friendship?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think deeply about the characters’ emotions and actions by asking them how they would react in similar situations. Use expressive reading to bring the scenes to life, emphasizing the emotions and drama. After reading, relate the story to your child’s experiences, discussing any similar situations they've encountered and how they handled them.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Listening to Advice
Explanation: In the story, Percy disregards the advice to stay away from the cold only to end up with a scarf tangled around his funnel. This illustrates the consequences of not listening.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of listening to parents or guardians to avoid unnecessary troubles.
Example Lesson: Understanding Consequences
Explanation: The story shows Percy facing an awkward situation because of his choices, teaching that actions have consequences.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think before acting and understand the potential outcomes of their decisions.
Example Lesson: Creativity in Problem Solving
Explanation: When Percy gets tangled in the scarf, the characters must think creatively to free him, demonstrating resourcefulness.
Real-World Application: Children can apply creative thinking to overcome challenges in their daily activities or in playing games.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Percy's friends come together to help remove the scarf, showing how teamwork can resolve issues.
Real-World Application: Promotes collaboration among peers in school projects or during team sports.
Example Lesson: Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: After the incident, Percy learns to be more cautious and heed warnings, illustrating the learning curve after making a mistake.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of personal growth and caution after experiencing the effects of a misjudgment.