Pip and Zip
What’s inside...
A family finds two abandoned duck eggs during a walk and decides to take them home to care for them. As they wait for the eggs to hatch, they spend quality time reading, learning, and laughing together. Eventually, the eggs hatch and the family is greeted by two adorable ducklings, Pip and Zip. This heartwarming story by Elana K. Arnold, with illustrations by Doug Salati, is a delightful tale of family bonding and the joys of nurturing life, perfect for fans of LeUyen Pham's 'Outside Inside.'
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Pip felt when Zip first arrived?
What are some ways Pip and Zip showed kindness to each other?
Why is sharing important and how did Pip and Zip learn this?
Can you think of a time you made a new friend? How did it feel?
What lesson did you learn from Pip and Zip’s adventure?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child to predict what the book might be about just by looking at the cover.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask your child how they think the character feels or what they might do next.
Link the story’s themes to your child’s experiences by discussing similar situations they have faced.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene or character to deepen their connection to the story.
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading session more fun and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Pip and Zip, despite being two different animals, learn to understand and share each other's feelings. This portrayal of compassion between characters highlights the importance of empathy.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to recognize and respond to the feelings of their peers, fostering stronger friendships and social connections.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The characters face challenges that require cooperation and creativity to resolve. This aspect emphasizes the power of working together and thinking critically.
Real-World Application: Kids can be taught to approach their own challenges in life with a problem-solving mindset, enhancing their decision-making skills.
Example Lesson: Acceptance of differences
Explanation: Pip and Zip come from different backgrounds but learn to appreciate and accept each other’s differences. This narrative underlines the beauty of diversity.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand and celebrate diversity in their classrooms and communities, promoting inclusivity.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters encounter setbacks but continue to persevere. This resilience is an important theme, demonstrating the virtue of persistence.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to persist in the face of difficulties, whether it’s dealing with schoolwork or personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Sharing
Explanation: The book showcases moments where characters share items and feelings with one another, imparting the value of generosity.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this behavior by sharing their belongings or time with others, which can improve social interactions and communal harmony.