Soon, Baboon, Soon
on Goodreads (60)
What’s inside...
As the triangle player in the primate percussion band, Baboon struggles with waiting patiently for his turn to perform. After watching monkeys on bongos, chimpanzees on tympani, and orangutans on drums, Baboon feels discouraged and eager to showcase his talent on the big stage.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the baboon is waiting for and how does it make you feel?
How do you think patience helps the baboon in the story?
What are some things you are excited about doing soon?
How do you handle situations where you have to wait for something you really want?
Can you think of a time when waiting made the end result even better?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing a personal story about a time you had to wait for something important to set the stage for discussion.
To deepen understanding, ask your child to draw or describe something they are eagerly anticipating, helping them connect personally with the baboon’s feelings.
Encourage your child to think about the benefits of patience by discussing outcomes of waiting patiently in scenarios from their own lives.
Use the illustrations in the book to explore non-verbal cues about how the baboon might be feeling during his wait.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: The story revolves around a baboon who anxiously waits for something to happen, teaching children the virtue of patience through the character's experiences.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the importance of waiting their turn during games or activities at school or at home.
Example Lesson: Understanding Time
Explanation: The concept of 'soon' is explored throughout the book, helping children grasp the abstract concept of time and how certain things require waiting.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop a sense of time management, such as comprehending how long an hour is or how to wait for a special event like a birthday.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: As the baboon remains hopeful throughout the story, it teaches children the importance of staying positive and resilient even when things don't happen immediately.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to stay hopeful and keep trying in situations like learning a new skill or making new friends.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The baboon's journey allows children to understand and share the feelings of another, developing empathy as they relate to the character's anticipation and excitement.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to be empathetic towards their peers who might also be waiting or excited for something, fostering a supportive social environment.