Sheltie the Hero (Sheltie S.)
#10 in Sheltie Series
on Goodreads (45)
What’s inside...
The family embarks on a weekend excursion in a horse-drawn caravan with Sheltie and Toby, the horse pulling the caravan. Toby's laziness challenges Sheltie to keep him motivated. The adventure takes a turn when they visit Bird Island and Toby wanders off, leading to a risky situation with the rising tide. The caravan gets stuck, and Toby refuses to keep going. In a crucial moment, Emma and Sheltie bravely cross the sands to get help, ultimately saving everyone from the incoming tide.
Discussion points
What qualities make Sheltie a hero in the story, and can you think of someone you know who has similar qualities?
How do Sheltie and Emma work together to solve problems? What do you think teamwork means?
What emotions did you feel when Sheltie was trying to help others? Have you ever felt the same way?
If you were in the story, what would you have done to help Sheltie and his friends?
What lessons did you learn from Sheltie’s adventures? How can you apply them in your daily life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the characteristics that make someone a hero and discuss how they can exhibit those traits in their own life.
Use examples from the book to talk about the importance of teamwork and ask your child about a time they had to work with others to reach a goal.
Validate and explore your child's emotional responses to the story, which can help them in recognizing and handling their emotions in real-life situations.
Challenge your child’s problem-solving skills by asking how they would have handled key situations in the book differently.
Help your child connect the lessons from the book to their own life through specific examples and encourage them to share stories of their own experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and bravery
Explanation: Sheltie, the Shetland pony, demonstrates courage by facing challenges and protecting his friends. His brave actions are highlighted throughout the story, particularly when he helps find a lost pony.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their fears and stand up for others, understanding the importance of bravery in everyday situations such as standing up to bullies or trying new activities.
Example Lesson: Friendship and cooperation
Explanation: Throughout the book, Sheltie works closely with his friends to solve problems. The bond Sheltie shares with his owner, Emma, also emphasizes the value of cooperation and teamwork.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of working together and supporting their friends, which can be applied in team sports, school projects, and during playtime with peers.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Taking care of Sheltie is depicted as an important task for Emma, demonstrating lessons on responsibility and consistent care for others.
Real-World Application: Children can relate this to taking care of their own pets, understanding their daily needs, or being responsible for certain chores at home.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The characters in the book face various challenges that require clever and thoughtful solutions. Emma and Sheltie often need to think quickly and creatively to resolve the dilemmas they encounter.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to apply problem-solving skills in their own lives, whether in resolving conflicts with siblings or figuring out how to manage their time for homework and play.