Pudding and Chips
on Goodreads (16)
What’s inside...
Pudding and Chips is a heartwarming tale about friendship and overcoming challenges, following a young child who befriends a stray dog named Chips. Despite initial resistance from their family and community, the child's love for Chips helps change the hearts and minds of those around them, teaching valuable lessons about loyalty, compassion, and perseverance. Meanwhile, in a separate story, Pudding is a cranky goose on Annie's farm. The arrival of a big red fox brings unexpected changes, highlighting themes of courage and adaptability.
Discussion points
What do you think Pudding and Chips learned about friendship by the end of the story?
How do you think Pudding felt when he first met Chips?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend like Pudding helped Chips?
Why is it important to be kind and helpful to others?
What would you do if you were in Pudding’s place when Chips needed help?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, relating it to their personal experiences.
Ask your child to describe the characters and what they like about each one, fostering a deeper understanding of character traits.
Let your child predict what might happen next at several points in the story to develop their anticipatory and reasoning skills.
Discuss the moral of the story and its applicability to everyday life to reinforce values like friendship and kindness.
After reading, suggest drawing a scene from the book; this helps with recall and gives a creative outlet to express understanding of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: In 'Pudding and Chips', the story revolves around the main characters building a strong, supportive friendship despite their differences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and nurture friendships, understanding that differences can strengthen rather than weaken bonds.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The characters face various challenges throughout the book and work together to find creative solutions.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to think critically and collaboratively approach problem-solving in their own lives, be it at school or in social situations.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The book showcases characters who learn to understand each other's feelings and perspectives.
Real-World Application: This story can help children develop empathy, teaching them to be considerate of others' emotions and viewpoints in day-to-day interactions.
Example Lesson: Courage to Try New Things
Explanation: Characters in the book often venture out of their comfort zones to explore new things, demonstrating bravery.
Real-World Application: It inspires children to face new challenges with courage, enhancing their learning experiences and personal growth.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters take responsibility for their actions and learn from their mistakes.
Real-World Application: This lesson educates children on the importance of accountability and learning from errors, applicable in their academics and personal life.