Read with Oxford: Stage 4: Julia Donaldson's Songbirds: Clare and the Fair and Other Stories
Julia Donaldson’S Songbirds Series
on Goodreads (4)
What’s inside...
Julia Donaldson's Songbirds: Clare and the Fair and Other Stories is part of the Read with Oxford series, designed for children gaining reading confidence. This collection includes six fun, phonics-based stories with colorful illustrations that capture young readers' imagination. It features Clare's adventures at the fair and other delightful tales like Tara's Party and Jack meeting the Giants. The book also offers tips for reading together, focusing on letter patterns and tricky words, making it an ideal tool to support children learning to read. Created by former Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson, Songbirds is used in schools to inspire a love of reading, with eight story collections to enjoy.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
160 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Clare
Discussion points
How do you think Clare felt when she was at the fair? Can you think of a time when you felt that way?
What would you do if you met someone who felt left out like Charlie did in the story?
Why is it important to help others, like Clare helped her friends?
What was your favorite part of the book and why?
If you could create your own fair, what would it look like and what activities would you include?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressions and voice modulation to mirror the emotions of the characters when reading aloud, making the story more engaging for your child.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next in the story before turning the page, fostering their imagination and anticipation.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. This helps in reinforcing their memory of the story and its lessons.
Link the story's themes to real-life examples that your child might encounter, enhancing their ability to relate and apply the morals discussed.
Celebrate your child’s responses, whether they’re right or wrong, to build their confidence in expressing their thoughts and opinions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Through interactions between characters, children learn about considering others' feelings and viewpoints.
Real-World Application: Children can apply empathy in their daily interactions, learning to be mindful of their peers' emotions and perspectives.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Characters in the stories often face challenges that require creative solutions, demonstrating effective problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Kids can utilize similar problem-solving methods when they encounter obstacles, whether academically or socially.
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork
Explanation: Stories showcase characters working together to achieve a common goal, emphasizing the importance of cooperation.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to collaborate with others in school projects or team sports, understanding that teamwork can lead to success.
Example Lesson: Perseverance and resilience
Explanation: Characters often face setbacks but continue to strive towards their goals, teaching persistence.
Real-World Application: Children learn to not give up easily on their tasks or hobbies, reinforcing the importance of resilience in achieving their goals.