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What’s inside...
The 'See How They Grow' series presents natural history books designed for young readers that feature close-up photography of the living world and bordered illustrations to enhance understanding of animal growth and behavior. This edition focuses on the development of a pig, tracking the journey of piglets as they explore and grow on the farm. This book is specially designed as a sturdy board shaped like a pig, complete with an engaging story and interactive elements like wiggly eyes to captivate toddlers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-4
Length
14 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Pig likes to do the most and why?
How did Pig interact with friends and what can we learn from it?
What emotions do you think Pig felt during the story?
If you were in the story, what would you have done differently?
How can we help our friends like Pig helps his?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and connect with Pig’s experiences. Use expressive questions that tie back to your child's own experiences and emotions to deepen their understanding and empathy. Highlight the importance of friendships and cooperation as shown in the book. Share personal stories that relate to the themes in the book to make the reading experience more relatable.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: In 'Pig' by Emily Bolam, the protagonist, Pig, shows the significance of being kind and building friendships through interactions with other farm animals.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and cultivate friendships by being kind and cooperative with their peers at school or in playgroups.
Example Lesson: Sharing with Others
Explanation: Throughout the book, Pig learns the joy and benefits of sharing resources with others, which is illustrated when Pig shares its food with the ducks.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to practice sharing their toys, snacks, or activities with siblings and friends, fostering a generous spirit.
Example Lesson: Courage to Try New Things
Explanation: Pig is depicted trying out different activities on the farm, which teaches children the courage to explore and engage in new experiences.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to participate in new activities at school or in community centres, helping them to grow and discover their interests.
Example Lesson: Value of Helping
Explanation: Pig often helps other animals on the farm with various tasks, showing the value of helping others in need.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by helping their parents with chores at home or assisting a friend in classroom tasks, promoting a helpful and cooperative attitude.
Example Lesson: Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: The story showcases Pig making mistakes but also learning from them, which highlights the natural part of learning and growing.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that it is okay to make mistakes and that they are important opportunities for learning and improvement in real life.