Robert and the Great Pepperoni
Robert Series
What’s inside...
More than anything second grader Robert wants a dog, but he can't persuade his parents to agree. A pet-sitting service is the compromise, and the adventures begin as his first client is a classmate with a pet tarantula. Robert takes on birds, cats, and even a rabbit who turns out to be an escaped TV star. One day a stray dog shows up in Robert's backyard, and his parents give him permission to take care of it until it's adopted. The task turns out to be more than he bargained for. Uplifting and funny, this story will have readers rooting for this endearing, less-than-perfect child whose heart is in the right place even when the rest of him isn't.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Robert felt when he first saw the Great Pepperoni?
How did Robert’s approach to solving his problem change throughout the story?
Why do you think the characters reacted the way they did when the Great Pepperoni appeared?
What would you have done if you were in Robert’s shoes?
Can you think of a time when you had to solve a big problem like Robert?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child to summarize the story in their own words, fostering their recall and narrative skills.
Encourage your child to express their opinions about the character’s actions, reinforcing critical thinking.
Connect the story's themes to real-life situations your child might encounter, enhancing their ability to relate and learn from stories.
Ask open-ended questions to encourage detailed responses, improving your child’s expressive language skills.
Finish your discussion by asking your child what lesson they think Robert learned, promoting the identification of underlying morals in stories.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the story, Robert faces a series of challenges in his quest for the Great Pepperoni, which he navigates using clever problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children can use problem-solving strategies learned from the story to tackle their own challenges, whether in schoolwork or personal tasks.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Robert learns that working together with others can make difficult tasks easier and more enjoyable, as he teams up with friends during his adventure.
Real-World Application: Kids can implement teamwork in group activities at school or during play to achieve common goals and build camaraderie.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In his journey, Robert is tasked with important responsibilities that he must handle to progress, teaching children about the value of being reliable.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of fulfilling their duties in household chores, school assignments, and other responsibilities.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: Robert uses his imagination and creative thinking to overcome obstacles and puzzles in the story.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their creativity to solve problems and express themselves in artistic or academic projects.