Reading Champion: Gelert the Brave: Independent Reading White 10
Reading champion Series
What’s inside...
Dive into a thrilling tale of bravery and loyalty with 'Reading Champion: Gelert the Brave: Independent Reading White 10' by Damian Harvey. This book showcases the legendary story of Gelert, a heroic dog whose loyalty to his master is tested in an unforgettable way. Perfect for developing independent reading skills, this book not only captivates but also enhances focus and literacy in children aged 8-9 years. Parents can feel confident in this choice, knowing it provides both a gripping story and a valuable learning experience. This story is part of Reading Champion, a series carefully linked to book bands to encourage independent reading skills, developed with Dr Sue Bodman and Glen Franklin of UCL Institute of Education (IOE). This book is aimed at Independent Reading Book Band White 10, for readers aged from 5-7 years. The classic tale from Wales features Gelert, the brave dog who saves the prince's baby from a wolf, but tragically is misunderstood by the prince as the killer. Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills with fantastic original stories accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity, each carefully graded to match a child's reading ability and encourage reading for pleasure.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made Gelert brave?
How did the characters' relationships change throughout the story?
What would you have done if you were in Gelert’s place?
Why is it important to understand the whole story before making a decision?
How did the story make you feel and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings to the story and discuss how those changes could affect the message of the book.
Discuss the moral of the story and its relevance to everyday life, which helps enhance comprehension and retention.
Use expressive reading to convey the emotions of the characters, making the story more engaging and relatable for your child.
After reading, engage in activities related to the book's themes, such as drawing scenes or role-playing parts of the story to reinforce understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Bravery and Courage
Explanation: In the story, Gelert the dog demonstrates bravery by protecting the family's baby from a perceived threat. This act of courage is central to the narrative.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of standing up for others and facing their fears, even in difficult situations.
Example Lesson: Loyalty and Devotion
Explanation: Gelert's unwavering loyalty to his family, especially the baby, showcases the deep bond and faithfulness typically seen between pets and their owners.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of being loyal and devoted to their family and friends.
Example Lesson: Understanding and Forgiveness
Explanation: The story deals with a misunderstanding that leads to a tragic outcome, but also highlights the themes of forgiveness and realization of true intentions.
Real-World Application: It can help children understand the importance of seeking full understanding before acting and the power of forgiveness in resolving conflicts.