Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam: Santa's Stolen Sleigh
#4 of 8 in Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam Series
on Goodreads (10)
What’s inside...
Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam are two hapless robber dogs who decide to change careers after one bungled burglary too many, proving that crime doesn't pay, but cupcakes certainly do!
Discussion points
What would you do if you were Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam, and you found out Santa's sleigh was missing?
How did the characters work together to solve the problem? Can you think of a time when you had to work as a team?
Why is it important to help others, just like the characters helped Santa?
What would your perfect sleigh look like? What special features would it have?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the story, emphasize the value of teamwork and ask your child to relate it to their own experiences, whether at school or home.
Encourage your child to imagine creatively by asking them to describe or draw their ideal sleigh, enhancing their engagement with the story’s themes.
Use the story's context to discuss the importance of helping others, fostering empathy and social awareness in your child.
Ask questions that not only make your child recall the story but also connect the scenarios to their personal emotions and decisions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: The two main characters, Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam, work together to help Santa recover his stolen sleigh. This cooperation is essential to their success.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of working with others to achieve common goals, whether in school projects or while playing sports.
Example Lesson: Honesty and Integrity
Explanation: Despite their past as burglars, Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam choose to help Santa and return his sleigh, demonstrating their commitment to doing the right thing.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of making right choices and being honest, even when they've made mistakes before.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The characters face challenges and obstacles along the way, but by thinking critically and creatively, they manage to overcome them.
Real-World Application: Kids learn that they can approach their problems and difficulties in constructive ways and that thinking outside the box often helps resolve issues.
Example Lesson: Taking Responsibility for Actions
Explanation: Shifty McGifty and Slippery Sam take responsibility for their past actions by choosing to help others, showing that they understand the impact of their decisions.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to own up to their actions and understand how their behavior can affect others, fostering a sense of responsibility.
Example Lesson: Kindness and Generosity
Explanation: By helping Santa, the two dogs show kindness and a willingness to help others in need, emphasizing the joy of giving rather than receiving.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be kind to others and to understand the impact their generous acts can have on the community around them.