Somebody and the Three Blairs
on Goodreads (299)
What’s inside...
In 'Somebody and the Three Blairs' by Marilyn Tolhurst, a humorous twist on the classic 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' tale is presented. Instead of a little girl visiting the home of three bears, the story features a character named Somebody who stumbles upon the house of the Blair family while they are away. Somebody explores the house, trying out the family's chairs, food, and beds, finding one of each to their liking, just as Goldilocks does in the original story. The Blair family returns to find the mess left behind and eventually discovers Somebody asleep in one of the beds. The story ends with a funny and unexpected resolution that differs from the traditional tale, providing a fresh take on the concept of unexpected visitors and the importance of respecting others' property.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Somebody felt when they entered a house that wasn't theirs?
How do you think the Blair family felt when they found Somebody had been in their home?
What would you have done if you were Somebody?
Can you think of a time when you accidentally made a mistake? What did you do about it?
What does this story teach us about respecting other people's belongings?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use empathetic tones while discussing the characters’ feelings to help your child understand and relate to their emotions.
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the shoes of both Somebody and the Blair family to enhance understanding of different perspectives.
Praise your child for thoughtful answers, and gently guide them towards insights about personal responsibility and respect for others’ spaces.
Reinforce the lessons from the book by connecting them to real-life situations your child might encounter or has encountered.
Discuss the importance of apologizing and making amends when mistakes are made, drawing parallels with similar events in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Respect for privacy and property
Explanation: In the story, Somebody goes into the Three Blairs’ house without permission and uses their belongings, demonstrating the consequences of not respecting others' privacy and property.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of asking for permission before using someone else's things and the value of respecting personal boundaries.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences of actions
Explanation: As Somebody uses the Blairs' belongings, each item breaks or gets used improperly, showing that actions have consequences.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand that their actions affect others and encourages them to think before they act.
Example Lesson: Empathy and consideration
Explanation: The story highlights how the Blair family feels when they return home to find their belongings misused, teaching the reader to consider the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being more considerate and thinking about how their actions might make others feel in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Making amends
Explanation: At the end of the story, Somebody realizes the error of their ways and attempts to make things right, emphasizing the importance of rectifying wrongs.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to apologize and make amends when they have wronged someone, fostering a sense of responsibility and integrity.