Spy Toys
#1 of 2 in Spy Toys Series
What’s inside...
The world's leading toy manufacturer creates unique toys with computerized brains and distinct personalities for the elite. Dan, a Snugliffic Cuddlestar bear with a faulty chip making him incredibly strong, is discarded and meets Arabella, a temperamental Loadsasmiles Sunshine Doll, and Flax, a rogue police robot rabbit. They are recruited by Auntie Roz, the 'M' of the toy world, to form THE SPY TOYS. Their first mission is to protect the prime minister's son from being kidnapped.
Discussion points
What would you do if you had a toy that could come to life?
Which character in 'Spy Toys' do you think showed the most bravery and why?
How do the spy toys work together to solve problems, and why is teamwork important?
Can you think of a situation where you helped someone, just like the toys help each other in the story?
If you could create your own spy toy, what special abilities would it have?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the characters to life, changing your voice for different toys to make the reading experience more interactive.
Discuss the importance of each character’s unique abilities and how they contribute to the team, relating it back to how everyone in the family has different strengths.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. This can lead to a deeper discussion about the story and its themes.
Connect the story’s themes to real-life situations, asking your child how they can apply the lessons learned from the spy toys in their daily interactions.
Praise your child’s answers and engage further by asking them to elaborate on their thoughts. This promotes critical thinking and confidence in expressing their opinions.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In 'Spy Toys', the toy characters join forces to overcome challenges, showcasing the importance of working together.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cooperate with their peers during group activities or team sports, understanding that combined efforts often lead to success.
Example Lesson: Embracing Uniqueness
Explanation: Each toy in the story has unique abilities that contribute to their missions, teaching children to value individual differences.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to appreciate their own unique talents and those of others around them, fostering a positive self-image and respect for diversity.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving Skills
Explanation: The toys frequently encounter obstacles that require creative solutions, highlighting the importance of critical thinking.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to think creatively and apply problem-solving skills in their daily challenges, whether in academic tasks or personal dilemmas.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and Duty
Explanation: The spy toys have specific roles and responsibilities to protect others, reinforcing the concept of duty and reliability.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of fulfilling responsibilities, whether it's completing household chores or assignments on time.