Sanity & Tallulah
#1 of 3 in Sanity & Tallulah Series
on Goodreads (2,283)
What’s inside...
Sanity Jones and Tallulah Vega are best friends living on Wilnick, a dilapidated space station at the end of the galaxy. Sanity, a gifted scientist, creates a three-headed kitten named Princess Sparkle, Destroyer of Worlds, using her lab skills. The kitten soon escapes and causes havoc on the space station, leading to an evacuation. Sanity and Tallulah must search the station to find the kitten and save their home before it's too late. This space adventure by debut author Molly Brooks is a thrilling ride for readers.
Discussion points
What do you think makes Sanity and Tallulah's friendship so strong? How do they support each other?
How did Sanity and Tallulah solve the problems they faced on their space station? What can we learn from their approach?
What role do you think creativity plays in the story? Can you think of a time when you had to use creativity to solve a problem?
How do the different settings in the story affect the characters and the plot? Which setting was your favorite and why?
If you could have a conversation with any character from the book, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage children to relate the story to their own experiences by asking them to think of times they have faced similar challenges or felt similar emotions as the characters.
Discuss the science and technology aspects of the book. Ask what they find exciting about space and what inventions they would create if they were inventors.
Highlight the values of teamwork and friendship portrayed in the book. Discuss with your child the importance of supporting and caring for friends.
After reading, engage in a creative activity inspired by the book, such as drawing a new gadget or space station layout that they imagine could exist in Sanity and Tallulah’s world.
Prompt reflections not only on the plot but on the moral lessons. Ask your child how the characters' decisions might guide us in our everyday lives.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: Sanity and Tallulah demonstrate a strong, supportive friendship as they navigate challenges aboard their space station. Their teamwork and trust in each other are pivotal in solving the mystery of the missing cat.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of building and maintaining trustful, supportive friendships which can help them in collaborative settings such as school projects and sports.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: The protagonists use their scientific knowledge and critical thinking skills to tackle unexpected problems, showcasing how a methodical approach can lead to solutions.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to approach problems calmly and thoughtfully, using logic and the information at hand, which is beneficial in academic and personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Innovation
Explanation: Sanity uses her passion for science and technology to create a bio-engineered pet, illustrating how creativity combined with knowledge can lead to exciting innovations.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to explore STEM fields and think creatively in their endeavors, from school projects to daily tasks.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and Consequences
Explanation: The story highlights the consequences of Sanity’s actions when her experiment goes awry, teaching her to be more responsible with her scientific experiments.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of considering the consequences of their actions, particularly when experimenting or trying new things, and being responsible for the outcomes.