Pickles to Pittsburgh: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
#2 of 10 in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs Series
What’s inside...
Revisit Chewandswallow for a new and original adventure in this charming sequel to the classic Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. Kate and Henry eagerly await Grandpa's return from a vacation that his postcard describes as the best and most unusual ever. As Kate falls asleep thinking about the postcard, she dreams of visiting the strange land of Chewandswallow—with its massive foods like immense carrots, lettuce jungles, and gigantic tuna fish sandwiches moved by helicopter. The story explores what the people of Chewandswallow do with all this food, emphasizing a message of generosity and global community.
Character compass
Kate
Henry
Grandpa
Discussion points
How would you feel if food fell from the sky like in the story? What would be the first thing you'd want to see fall?
Why do you think the people in the book had to leave Chewandswallow? What would you do if you were in their situation?
What are some problems you think could happen if meals rained down three times a day?
If you could invent a weather machine like the one in 'Pickles to Pittsburgh', what weather would you create and why?
How do Henry and Kate help their community in the book? What can we do to help our community?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own thoughts on the book's imaginative setting, encouraging your child to explore their imagination.
Use vivid descriptions from the book to help your child visualize the scenarios, enhancing their engagement and comprehension.
Connect the book’s themes to real-life situations, such as the importance of helping others and adapting to changes, to make the discussion more relatable.
Encourage creative thinking by asking your child to come up with their own quirky weather ideas, emphasizing that there are no wrong answers in imaginative play.
Highlight the teamwork displayed by the characters and discuss with your child the importance of working together to solve problems.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Generosity and Sharing
Explanation: In the story, the abundance of food precipitating from the sky prompts the characters to share with those in need. This act of sharing is central to the plot.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to share their own resources, whether it’s food, toys, or time, to help others in their community.
Example Lesson: Effects of Overindulgence
Explanation: The tale illustrates the consequences of having too much, depicted through the overwhelming food storms, leading to logistical and environmental issues.
Real-World Application: It encourages children to understand moderation and the potential negative effects of excess in everyday life, such as food waste and environmental impact.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving and Ingenuity
Explanation: The characters in the book come up with creative solutions to manage the challenges posed by the ever-falling food.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to think critically and solve problems creatively, whether in their play, studies, or day-to-day challenges.
Example Lesson: Community Collaboration
Explanation: The community in the story works together to tackle the problems caused by the food weather, showcasing teamwork.
Real-World Application: This lesson can highlight to children the importance of working together and supporting each other in family, school, or community projects.
Example Lesson: Adaptability to Change
Explanation: As the characters face an unusual phenomenon, their ability to adapt to their new reality is key to their survival and eventual thriving.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of being flexible and adapting to new situations, whether it’s moving to a new place, adjusting to a new school, or dealing with changes at home.