Smelly Jelly Smelly Fish
on Goodreads (18)
What’s inside...
Michael Rosen and Quentin Blake present collections of jokes, jingles, poems, silly sayings, crazy conversations, and flights of fancy in this series of scrapbooks that feature all the things that kids love to hear and read about. The book explores imaginative concepts such as child-sized diggers for building really big sandcastles and child-sized submarines to find treasure. Illustrated by Quentin Blake, these whimsical ideas are discussed and brought to life, capturing the essence of childhood wonder and creativity. Recommended for children aged 5 and up.
Discussion points
Why do you think the fish smells in the story?
How do you think the characters felt when they encountered the smelly fish?
What would you do if you were in the story with the smelly jelly and fish?
Can you think of a time when you encountered a bad smell? How did you react?
What are some ways the characters could solve their problem with the smelly fish?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about their senses while discussing the smelly fish. Ask them to describe what they imagine the smell would be like.
Use expressive facial expressions and voice modulation to mimic the characters' reactions to the smelly fish, making the story more relatable and immersive for your child.
Draw parallels between the story and real-life situations where dealing with unpleasant situations is necessary, guiding your child to understand coping mechanisms.
Prompt your child to come up with creative solutions for the characters, enhancing their problem-solving skills.
After discussing the book, engage in a sensory activity like smelling different scents and talking about them, linking the experience back to the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of curiosity
Explanation: In 'Smelly Jelly Smelly Fish,' the protagonist's constant questioning and exploration highlight the value of curiosity.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to ask questions and explore the world around them, which fosters learning and discovery in real-life situations.
Example Lesson: Embracing differences
Explanation: The diverse characters in the book teach children to appreciate the uniqueness of everyone they meet.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand and value diversity among their peers, promoting inclusiveness and empathy in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters encounter challenges that they must work together to solve, illustrating effective problem-solving strategies.
Real-World Application: Children learn to apply similar problem-solving techniques in overcoming obstacles they face in school or at play.
Example Lesson: Value of teamwork
Explanation: The book shows how characters cooperate and achieve more together than they could alone, emphasizing the benefits of teamwork.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to participate in group activities and understand the importance of working collaboratively.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: Characters in the book experience the results of their actions, teaching children that choices have consequences.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to think about the outcomes of their decisions and act responsibly in both school and home environments.