Rona Long-Teeth (Monster Stories)
Monster Stories Series
What’s inside...
A young island man falls in love with a beautiful young woman, whose mother is a terrifying monster. This enchanting tale is an adaptation of a chapter from The Barefoot Book of Monsters, which was published in 2003.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Rona Long-Teeth feels when she can't control her long teeth?
What would you do if you met someone like Rona Long-Teeth?
How do you think Rona's story can teach us about accepting and appreciating each other's differences?
Why do you think it's important to help others like the characters did with Rona in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the discussion by sharing your own thoughts about Rona’s character, setting a comfortable tone for your child to express their feelings and thoughts.
Encourage empathy by asking your child how they would feel in Rona’s situation, promoting a deeper understanding of the character.
Highlight the moral of the story and relate it to real-life scenarios to help your child connect the book's themes to their own experiences.
Ask open-ended questions that allow your child to think critically and express their opinions, fostering a love for thoughtful discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in facing fears
Explanation: In 'Rona Long-Teeth,' the protagonist confronts the scary character, Rona, showcasing bravery. This demonstrates that one can overcome fears by facing them head-on.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by dealing with their own fears, like trying something new or standing up for themselves in challenging situations.
Example Lesson: Importance of quick thinking
Explanation: The main character uses wit and intelligence to navigate through dangers, emphasizing the value of thinking on one's feet.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their intellect to solve problems in school or in social interactions.
Example Lesson: The power of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters work together to tackle challenges, highlighting the effectiveness of collaborative effort.
Real-World Application: Kids learn the importance of cooperating with others, whether it be during group projects at school or in team sports.
Example Lesson: Understanding differences
Explanation: The story introduces characters that are initially perceived as frightening but are later understood better, teaching children not to judge based on appearances.
Real-World Application: This helps children to be more accepting and inclusive of peers who may look or act differently from themselves.
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: Characters face numerous obstacles but persistently push forward, illustrating the strength of resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to persevere through their own difficulties, be it academic challenges or personal hurdles.