Snow Tales (Rainbow Bear and Little Albatross)
What’s inside...
Snow Tales (Rainbow Bear and Little Albatross) by Michael Morpurgo is a collection of two interwoven stories featuring a polar bear and an albatross. These tales highlight themes of friendship, resilience, and the realities of nature, while educating and entertaining readers. The book encourages discussions on survival strategies in the animal kingdom, empathy, and ecological awareness, making it suitable for young readers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Rainbow Bear feels when he meets Little Albatross for the first time?
How do you think the weather affects the adventures of Rainbow Bear and Little Albatross?
What would you do if you were Rainbow Bear to help Little Albatross feel safe?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend like Rainbow Bear helps Little Albatross?
What did you learn about friendship from this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story. Use the illustrations in the book to discuss details and ask what they notice about the characters' expressions. Relate the themes of the book to your child's own experiences, such as making friends or helping others. Praise your child for their insights and understanding, fostering a positive reading environment.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: In 'Snow Tales', Rainbow Bear and Little Albatross showcase kindness and empathy as they navigate their adventures, helping each other and understanding different perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to empathize with their peers' feelings and situations, promoting inclusive play and understanding in school or at the playground.
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: The characters demonstrate the value of friendship through mutual support during their challenges, highlighting how friendships can provide comfort and strength.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to build and maintain supportive friendships, teaching them the importance of being there for one another.
Example Lesson: Courage and Resilience
Explanation: Despite the obstacles faced by Rainbow Bear and Little Albatross, they show courage and resilience throughout their journey, emphasizing the importance of facing fears.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be courageous in new or challenging situations, whether it’s trying new activities or standing up for themselves.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving Skills
Explanation: The book presents various situations where the characters need to think critically to resolve their problems effectively, helping readers develop logical thinking.
Real-World Application: Kids are inspired to apply problem-solving skills in real-life scenarios such as working through disagreements with friends or solving puzzles and school tasks.