Project Best Friend (Penelope Perfect Book 1)
#1 in Penelope Perfect Series
What’s inside...
Penelope Kingston wants to be perfect and is usually good, sensible, and calm. However, she struggles with being bossy, angry, and frustrated at times. In her quest for perfection, she realizes she lacks a best friend, which is not ideal. Determined to change this, Penelope tries to convince the new girl in town to become her best friend, but she finds that finding and maintaining a best friend while trying to be perfect all the time is challenging. Through her experiences, Penelope learns that sometimes the best approach is to stop trying to be perfect.
Discussion points
How did Penelope feel when she realized she might lose her best friend, and why do you think she felt that way?
What are some ways Penelope tried to solve her problem? What would you have done in her shoes?
Why is it important to have a best friend? What qualities do you think a best friend should have?
How did Penelope change by the end of the story, and what did she learn about friendships?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences with friends.
Discuss the importance of empathy and understanding by asking how they would feel in Penelope’s situations.
Highlight the moral lessons on friendship dynamics, coping with changes, and understanding others’ perspectives.
Use examples from the book to talk about the qualities that make someone a good friend and the importance of resolving conflicts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: In 'Project Best Friend,' Penelope learns that being honest, even when it's difficult, is crucial in maintaining trust within friendships.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being truthful with their friends and family members, fostering deeper and more trusting relationships.
Example Lesson: Coping with change
Explanation: The protagonist, Penelope, navigates various changes at school and with her friends, teaching readers that change is a natural part of life.
Real-World Application: Kids can use this understanding to adapt to new situations such as moving to a new school or dealing with shifts in family dynamics.
Example Lesson: Value of perseverance
Explanation: Penelope shows persistence in solving problems and achieving goals, which highlights the virtue of not giving up easily.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to continue working toward their goals, whether they are academic challenges or personal projects, despite obstacles.
Example Lesson: Understanding and managing emotions
Explanation: Throughout the book, Penelope experiences a range of emotions, offering readers insights into recognizing and managing their own feelings.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to identify their emotions and seek appropriate solutions or support, which is crucial for their emotional intelligence development.
Example Lesson: Importance of empathy
Explanation: Penelope learns to understand and share the feelings of others, showing readers the importance of empathy in friendships.
Real-World Application: This lesson aids children in developing empathy, helping them to build supportive and caring relationships with peers.