Reading Champion: Goodbye Tessa: Independent Reading White 10 (Reading Champion Illustrated edition)
Reading champion Series
What’s inside...
In 'Reading Champion: Goodbye Tessa,' author Elizabeth Dale introduces young readers to the tender topic of saying goodbye to a beloved pet. Through beautifully illustrated pages and engaging text, this book gently guides children through the emotional journey of loss, fostering empathy and understanding. It provides a valuable learning opportunity, facilitating discussions between parents and children about feelings and coping with grief, all while supporting independent reading development for children transitioning to more complex texts. Reading Champion offers independent reading books for children to practise and reinforce their developing reading skills. Fantastic, original stories are accompanied by engaging artwork and a reading activity. Each book has been carefully graded so that it can be matched to a child's reading ability, encouraging reading for pleasure.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-8
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the character felt when they had to say goodbye to Tessa?
What are some ways the story shows us how to handle feelings of sadness or loss?
Can you think of a time you had to say goodbye to someone or something? How did it make you feel?
What do you think happens next in the story after saying goodbye to Tessa?
How can we support our friends when they are feeling sad?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the book’s theme, linking it to any personal experiences they might want to share.
Discuss the importance of emotional expression and healthy ways to deal with loss or change, emphasizing empathy and understanding.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings or continuations of the story to foster creativity and deeper thinking.
Use examples from the book to highlight resilience and the importance of support from friends and family during tough times.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Coping with change
Explanation: The narrative of 'Goodbye Tessa' explores how characters adapt to the departure of Tessa, a pivotal character, demonstrating resilience and acceptance.
Real-World Application: Children learn to navigate their emotions and responses when facing changes in their own lives, such as moving to a new school or city.
Example Lesson: Value of friendships
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters reminisce about their moments with Tessa, highlighting how friendships enrich our lives.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to cherish and nurture their relationships with their peers.
Example Lesson: Expressing feelings
Explanation: Characters in the book openly express their sadness about Tessa's departure, showcasing healthy emotional expression.
Real-World Application: Children learn that it's important to share their feelings with others, aiding emotional development and communication skills.
Example Lesson: Acceptance and moving forward
Explanation: The story concludes with characters looking forward to new experiences, teaching acceptance of change.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that life goes on and new opportunities come, even after experiencing loss or change.