What’s inside...
An adventurous chimp named Chaz enters a surfing contest and learns more about surfing and friendship. Despite facing challenges and things going wrong during the contest, Chaz perseveres. The story also includes a reading comprehension quiz at the end to challenge early readers.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Surfer Chimp feel when he first tried surfing? Can you think of a time when you tried something new and how you felt?
What do you think Surfer Chimp learned from his adventures?
Why is it important to help friends, like Surfer Chimp helped his friends in the book?
What would you have done if you were in Surfer Chimp’s place during his big competition?
How do you think Surfer Chimp’s feelings changed from the beginning to the end of the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive read-aloud techniques to mimic the excitement or challenges Surfer Chimp faces, enhancing the child's immersion and understanding.
Relate the story's themes to the child’s personal experiences, such as discussing a time when they tried something challenging or helped a friend.
Encourage the child to predict what might happen next in the story, fostering their imagination and engagement.
Post-reading, connect the story’s moral lessons with everyday behaviors, such as the importance of perseverance and friendship.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene from the book, then describe what's happening, reinforcing comprehension and recall.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance leads to success
Explanation: The protagonist, Surfer Chimp, faces numerous challenges while learning to surf but persists until he masters the waves.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to keep trying in the face of difficulties, whether it’s mastering a new skill or overcoming a personal challenge.
Example Lesson: Friendship and support
Explanation: Surfer Chimp gets help from his friends, who support him throughout his journey to become a better surfer.
Real-World Application: This story teaches the importance of supporting friends and seeking help when needed, emphasizing the value of strong interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: Throughout the book, there's a strong emphasis on the beauty of the ocean and the importance of keeping it clean and respecting wildlife.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of environmental conservation and how they can contribute to preserving nature’s beauty.
Example Lesson: Embracing diversity
Explanation: Surfer Chimp interacts with various sea creatures and learns from their different perspectives and skills.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to appreciate and learn from diversity in their own lives, promoting inclusivity and respect for others regardless of differences.