Skunked!: Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet
#1 of 6 in Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet Series
What’s inside...
From Newbery honor author Jacqueline Kelly comes a new illustrated chapter book series for younger readers featuring the beloved characters from The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. In Calpurnia Tate, Animal Doctor in Training, Callie Vee, Travis, and Dr. Pritzker help animals big and small. When soft-hearted Travis discovers an abandoned baby skunk, he can't help but bring him home and take care of him. Stinky, as Travis names him, settles in pretty well. But when Travis discovers Stinky's litter-mate, Winky, who is in need of some help, things get complicated around the Tate house. One skunk is a piece of cake; two is just asking for trouble. Will Travis and Callie be able to keep the critters away from Mother's careful eyes—and nose?
Discussion points
What do you think made Travis and Callie work together despite their differences?
How do the animals in the story show the importance of care and compassion?
What could be the reasons that Granddaddy agreed to help care for the skunk?
What do you believe Callie learned about being a vet in this story?
How did Callie's role in her family influence her decisions and actions in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the relationships between characters, and how they work together to solve problems. Highlight the emotional growth of characters throughout the book, discussing values like empathy and responsibility. Ask your child how different scenarios in the book could be handled in their own lives, facilitating personal connections to the story's themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'Skunked!: Calpurnia Tate, Girl Vet', Calpurnia takes on the responsibility of caring for a skunk and its babies, demonstrating the importance of caring for animals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking initiative in caring for family pets or helping with household chores, learning the importance of responsibility in their daily activities.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Learning
Explanation: Calpurnia’s adventures as a young vet illustrates her curiosity about the natural world and her desire to learn more about science and animals.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to explore their own interests in science and nature, whether that be through reading, school projects, or exploring the outdoors.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Calpurnia faces various challenges that require creative problem-solving, such as how to care for the skunk without getting sprayed.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be used to encourage children to think critically and find solutions to their own problems, whether at school or in social situations.
Example Lesson: Compassion and Empathy
Explanation: Calpurnia shows empathy by understanding and addressing the needs of animals, which reflects a broader respect for living things.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to apply empathy by understanding the feelings of their friends and family, and responding with kindness and respect.