Reading Gems: Shark Wants a Friend (Level 3)
Reading Gems Series
What’s inside...
This engaging tale follows a lonely shark who seeks companionship in the vast ocean. Throughout his journey, he learns the values of friendship and acceptance while meeting various sea creatures. Shark is lonely and wants some friends, so he goes out into the sea to find some. But will his plan work or will the other animals be afraid of him? Exploring themes of friendship and judging people by their appearances, this fun and engaging story with a twist also includes comprehension activities and extra discussion topics, making it perfect for supporting learning at school. Featuring original stories, delightful characters and humorous illustrations, Reading Gems is a series designed to spark a love of reading. It is a supplementary reading programme that is graded into four levels to perfectly suit a child’s reading ability from an emerging reader to a confident, independent reader. Parents and teachers can be reassured that children are reading books that support their ability, challenge their reading skills and encourage reading confidence with every word on the page.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Shark felt when he was looking for a friend? Can you describe a time you felt the same way?
What are some ways you could make a new friend feel welcome?
Why is it important to have friends? How do they make our lives better?
What would you do if you saw someone who needed a friend?
How did the other sea creatures react to Shark at first, and how did that change by the end of the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their emotions by relating their personal experiences to those of Shark’s feelings throughout the book.
Discuss the moral of the story and ask your child what they learned about friendship.
Allow your child to imagine alternative scenarios and how they might unfold, enhancing their empathy and creative thinking.
Praise your child for thoughtful responses and active engagement to reinforce their interest in reading and discussing stories.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: In 'Shark Wants a Friend,' the shark actively seeks companionship, showing how friendship is essential for social well-being.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value and cultivate friendships in their lives, understanding that everyone, including themselves, benefits from having friends.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The story illustrates how the shark tries to understand and connect with potential friends despite differences.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to practice empathy by putting themselves in others' shoes, helping to foster more inclusive and understanding interactions.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The shark's repeated attempts to find a friend despite initial failures highlight the virtue of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children are reminded to not give up easily, whether they're learning a new skill or making connections with others.
Example Lesson: Acceptance of Differences
Explanation: Throughout his journey, the shark encounters various sea creatures, learning to appreciate the uniqueness of each.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to appreciate diversity in their communities and to embrace differences among peers.