PlayShapes: Seal
PlayShapes Series
on Goodreads (2)
What’s inside...
With their brightly painted edges, the PlayShapes™ series of sturdy shaped board books are satisfying and fun to hold. Simple language—with just the right amount of real information—and boisterous illustrations introduce little ones to the adorable and playful seal!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-3
Length
12 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the seal in the story feels when he meets new friends?
How do the different shapes in the book help tell the story?
If you could be any character in this book, who would you be and why?
Can you think of a time when you felt similar to the seal?
What would you do if you met a character from the book in real life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, browse through the book with your child, pointing out different shapes and asking them to predict how these might play a role in the story.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, relating them to their own experiences whenever possible.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. Discuss their drawing, focusing on the emotions and themes depicted.
After reading, revisit the book's key moments and invite your child to imagine alternate endings or continuations of the story.
Celebrate creativity by suggesting your child uses household items to recreate their favorite shapes or scenes from the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Sharing
Explanation: In 'PlayShapes: Seal,' the story demonstrates the value of sharing through Seal sharing his toys with his friends.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to share their belongings with siblings and friends, fostering a sense of generosity and cooperation.
Example Lesson: Embracing Diversity
Explanation: Throughout the book, Seal interacts with various sea creatures, teaching children to appreciate and embrace differences among individuals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being open to making friends with peers who may look, speak, or act differently from them, promoting inclusivity.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Seal faces different challenges in the story and solves them creatively, illustrating the importance of thinking critically and creatively.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think outside the box and find solutions to everyday problems they might encounter, such as resolving conflicts with friends or overcoming obstacles during play.
Example Lesson: Value of Perseverance
Explanation: When Seal struggles to build a sandcastle and it keeps collapsing, his continued effort until he succeeds demonstrates perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of not giving up easily, whether it's in completing their schoolwork, learning a new skill, or playing a sport.
Example Lesson: Joy of Learning
Explanation: Seal displays curiosity about the world around him, asking questions and seeking out new experiences, encouraging a lifelong love of learning.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to be curious about their environment and to actively engage in learning both in and out of the classroom.