Slowpoke
What’s inside...
Fiona likes to take her time. In fact, she takes so much time that her toes wrinkle in the tub and her dog falls asleep waiting to be fed. When she misses the bus one time too many, Fiona's mom sends her to Speed School. Fiona learns to move so fast her head starts to spin. One day, while eating doughnuts, listening to music, painting a picture, and dribbling a basketball all at the same time, Fiona's head spins so fast it gets stuck. Backward! There's only one way to get life back to Fiona's favorite pace?she must show her family that "slow doesn't stink."
Why read this book
- Engaging story encourages patience and understanding.
- Characters show resilience, growth, and development.
- Supports language skills and emotional intelligence.
- Ideal for interactive parent-child reading sessions.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made Slowpoke slow, and how do you feel about it?
How do you think Slowpoke’s friends felt when he was always the last one?
Can you think of a time when you felt like Slowpoke? How did you handle it?
Why do you think being fast or slow didn’t change how Slowpoke’s friends felt about him?
What would you say to encourage someone who feels they can't keep up with others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a gentle and curious tone to encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts about the story.
Relate the story to your child’s own experiences of feeling left behind or different from others to deepen their empathy and understanding.
Acknowledge your child's responses to reinforce that their perspective is valuable, and there are no right or wrong answers.
Emphasize themes of patience and acceptance in the story, and ask your child how they think these can be applied in everyday life.
Use follow-up questions like 'What would you do?' or 'What else?' to keep the conversation flowing and encourage deeper thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of patience
Explanation: In 'Slowpoke', the main character Fiona learns to appreciate doing things at her own pace instead of rushing.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to take their time to fully enjoy activities and tasks, understanding that speed isn't always the priority.
Example Lesson: Self-acceptance
Explanation: Fiona eventually accepts her slower pace and finds joy in her unique approach to tasks.
Real-World Application: This can help children feel more confident in their own abilities and characteristics, fostering a healthy self-esteem.
Example Lesson: The value of mindfulness
Explanation: Through Fiona's slow nature, the story highlights the benefits of being observant and present in the moment.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to observe the world around them more keenly, improving their focus and appreciation for small details.
Example Lesson: Creativity benefits from a slower pace
Explanation: Fiona’s slow approach allows her to be more creative, as she has more time to think and explore different ideas.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to take their time in creative endeavors, potentially leading to more thoughtful and innovative outcomes.