Stupid Baby
Simon The Rabbit Series
on Goodreads (121)
What’s inside...
There's a new baby in Simon's house, and Simon is not happy about it. He wonders why the baby can't go back to the hospital and worries if his parents will still protect him from the scary wolves outside that want to eat him now that they have a new baby to care for.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
36 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the characters’ feelings change throughout the story?
Why do you think the older sibling called the baby 'stupid', and what could they have done differently?
What are some ways the characters showed they cared about each other by the end of the book?
Have you ever felt like the older sibling in the story? What did you do?
How can we show kindness and understanding to new members in our family?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use empathetic listening. Validate your child's feelings by repeating back what you heard them say about the characters and situations in the book.
Encourage connections between the story and their own life. Ask if they’ve ever experienced similar feelings as the characters and discuss those moments.
Highlight the book’s messages on family and understanding. Stress the importance of patience and kindness towards each other, especially in challenging times.
Visual aids can be helpful. Use pictures or scenes from the book to help your child recall details and discuss the character’s emotions and actions.
Finish with positive reinforcement. Appreciate their perspectives and insights during the discussion, promoting confidence and enthusiasm towards reading and discussing more books.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Through the story, the protagonist learns to see things from his baby sibling's perspective, realizing that the baby's actions are not meant to annoy him.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to understand and empathize with their siblings or peers, promoting harmonious relationships.
Example Lesson: Adaptability to change
Explanation: The main character adjusts to the changes a new baby brings to the family dynamics.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to be flexible and adapt to new situations in life, such as moving to a new place or transitioning to a new school.
Example Lesson: Importance of family bonds
Explanation: Despite initial frustrations, the protagonist grows to love and accept his new sibling, highlighting the unbreakable bond of family.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to cherish and strengthen their family relationships, understanding the lifelong support they provide.
Example Lesson: Expression of feelings
Explanation: The character openly expresses his feelings of jealousy and frustration, which are then addressed by the family.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to communicate their emotions constructively and seek support when needed.
Example Lesson: Personal growth and maturity
Explanation: By the end of the book, the protagonist matures, embracing his role as an older sibling.
Real-World Application: Children can see the value in personal growth and taking on new responsibilities with positivity and confidence.