Phantom Lollipop Man
#7 of 15 in Baby Aliens Series
What’s inside...
Izzy and her friends are shocked when they discover that their lollipop man has disappeared. Maisie believes he's gone to Rome, but mysterious sightings of a white wispy cloud around the school and unexplained cold sensations in Izzy's legs suggest otherwise. They start to suspect that the lollipop man might be a phantom haunting them. This humorous story by Blue Peter Award winners Pamela Butchart and Thomas Flintham promises lots of laughs. Related activity sheets are available on the Nosy Crow website.
Discussion points
What do you think the Phantom Lollipop Man represents in the story?
How did the characters' feelings change throughout the book?
Why do you think the author chose a lollipop man as the central mystery figure?
What would you do if you encountered a similar mysterious situation?
How important is it to work together to solve a mystery, based on what you read?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the themes of mystery and teamwork in the story. Use the questions to help them relate the story to their own experiences and observations. Emphasize the fun and excitement of piecing together clues, just like the characters in the book. This encourages not just literacy, but critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Lastly, discuss the concept of community helpers like the lollipop man, to help children understand their roles and importance.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of critical thinking
Explanation: In 'Phantom Lollipop Man', children are encouraged to question what they see and hear instead of accepting things at face value. This is shown through the mystery surrounding the lollipop man where kids use their judgment to uncover the truth.
Real-World Application: Children can apply critical thinking skills to question and analyze situations in their daily lives, enhancing their decision-making skills.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Throughout the book, children come together to solve the mystery, demonstrating how teamwork can lead to success. They pool their ideas and resources to reach a common goal.
Real-World Application: This illustrates to children the benefits of collaborating with others. By working together in team projects at school or in community activities, they learn that collective effort often produces better results.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The story stimulates creativity by taking children on an imaginative adventure. The plot revolves around interpretations of ordinary events, showcasing creative thinking.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to use their imagination not just for play, but for problem-solving in real life, making mundane tasks more engaging and inventive.
Example Lesson: Handling uncertainty
Explanation: As the children deal with the unknown elements of the Phantom Lollipop Man, they learn to navigate uncertainty and maintain composure.
Real-World Application: This prepares children to stay calm and think clearly when faced with uncertain or new situations in life, such as moving to a new school or facing unexpected questions.