Pinwheel: Baby Hang-Ons: Puppy
Pinwheel Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
The book highlights two main narratives: the first follows the adventures of two puppies, Popcorn the golden retriever and his friend Smudge, as they engage in playful activities, eating, and resting together. The second narrative explores the behavior of a pink piglet through a series of rhetorical questions about its activities, such as chewing toffee, sleeping in a nest, or playing with various animals. The story then clarifies that the piglet actually eats slop, sleeps in a sty, wallows in puddles, and plays with other piglets.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-4
Length
12 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the puppy felt when it was lost? Can you remember a time when you felt the same?
What would you do if you found a lost puppy like in the story?
Why is it important to help others, just like the characters helped the puppy in the book?
What did you like most about the puppy's adventure?
How do you think the story would change if it was a different animal, like a kitten or a bunny?
Tip: Role play these questions
Show genuine interest in their responses to encourage deeper thinking and connection to the story.
Relate the puppy’s feelings and experiences in the story to real-life situations your child might encounter to enhance empathy and understanding.
Praise your child for creative or thoughtful answers, reinforcing their confidence in expressing their thoughts and feelings.
Use the book’s illustrations to guide the conversation, asking your child to describe what they see and how it relates to the story.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or different scenarios within the story, fostering creativity and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: In 'Pinwheel: Baby Hang-Ons: Puppy,' the story demonstrates empathy by showing how the characters care for the lost puppy.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize emotions in others and respond compassionately in their interactions with friends and pets.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The children in the book take on the responsibility of helping the puppy find its way home, showcasing the importance of being responsible for others.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to take responsibility in looking after their belongings and caring for animals.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters encounter challenges in helping the puppy, and they must come up with solutions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply creative thinking and decision-making skills in overcoming obstacles in their daily activities.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The story highlights teamwork as characters collaborate to care for the puppy.
Real-World Application: This lesson promotes the value of working together with others to achieve common goals, useful in school projects or family tasks.
Example Lesson: Kindness
Explanation: The gentle and caring approach the characters take in 'Pinwheel: Baby Hang-Ons: Puppy' exemplifies kindness.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being kind to others, which can improve their social interactions and build positive relationships.