Spangles McNasty and the Fish of Gold
#1 of 3 in Spangles McNasty Series
What’s inside...
A madcap tale of skullduggery, thievery and downright rottenness as the awful Spangle McNasty tries to get rich quick by stealing all the goldfish in town. Welcome to Bitterly Bay. Spangles McNasty has decided to spend his summer doing what he loves the most: shouting at babies, pulling faces at old ladies, eating cold chips from bins and best of all, collecting other people's spangly things! Having convinced themselves that goldfish are made of gold and that they grow to the size of whales, Spangles and his friend Sausage-face Pete decide to find the great Fish of Gold. They'll be rich forever! Only young Freddie Taylor can stop Spangles' dastardly plan, in a tale full of time-travelling jet skis, madcap chases and haunted custard. It is a tale so odd, your mind-cogs will jam with happiness for ever after!
Character compass
Freddie Taylor
Spangles Mcnasty
Discussion points
What do you think motivates Spangles McNasty to do the things he does? How would you handle a similar situation?
How do the actions of Spangles affect the other characters and their community? What can we learn from this?
If you could give Spangles one piece of advice, what would it be and why?
What role does friendship play in this story? Can you share a time when a friend helped you or you helped them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the reasons behind characters' behavior, fostering empathy and understanding. Discuss the importance of community and how everyone's actions impact others. Highlight the value of advice and guidance from others, using examples from the book and real life. Use examples from the story to talk about friendship and its impact, connecting it to your child's experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: In the story, Spangles McNasty's dishonest plans to steal goldfish are foiled, showcasing how deceitful actions ultimately lead to negative consequences.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of being truthful in their actions and words, understanding that honesty builds trust and positive relationships in real life.
Example Lesson: The power of friendship and teamwork
Explanation: The protagonist, Freddie Taylor, teams up with his friends to stop Spangles. This collaboration highlights how working together effectively can overcome challenges.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to cooperate and value each person’s contribution in group settings like school projects or sports, enhancing their social skills and collective problem-solving abilities.
Example Lesson: Respecting other's property
Explanation: The plot revolves around the antagonist's disregard for others' possessions, which is portrayed negatively, teaching the reader about the importance of respecting property.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to treat others' belongings with care and understand the implications of theft or damage, fostering responsibility and empathy in community environments.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: Freddie's innovative ideas to thwart Spangles' plans show how creative thinking can provide solutions to difficult problems.
Real-World Application: This lesson inspires children to think outside the box and use their imagination to navigate obstacles in both academic and personal scenarios.
Example Lesson: The repercussions of greed
Explanation: Spangles’ greedy character and his ultimate downfall serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive greed.
Real-World Application: This story helps children understand that greed can lead to harmful decisions and adversely affect relationships, teaching them to value satisfaction with what they have.