Teddy's Favorite Toy
What’s inside...
A mom goes to great lengths to rescue her son’s favorite doll in this delightful tribute to treasured toys—and mothers. Teddy has a lot of cool toys. But his very favorite doll has the best manners, the sickest fighting skills, and a fierce sense of style. Then one morning, something truly awful happens. And there’s only one woman fierce enough to save the day. Can Teddy’s mom reunite Teddy with his favorite toy?
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you think about how Teddy solved the problem of his broken toy?
Why do you think Teddy's favorite toy is so special to him?
How did you feel when the toy was lost and then found?
What would you have done if you were in Teddy's place?
How do you think Teddy felt at the end of the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive and animated tones when discussing Teddy's feelings and actions to make the conversation lively and engaging.
Encourage your child to relate their own experiences with a favorite toy or object, drawing parallels to Teddy's attachment to his toy.
Ask follow-up questions to deepen the child’s thoughts, such as 'What makes that toy special to you?' when they talk about their own favorite toy.
Validate your child’s feelings shared during the discussion, whether it’s empathy, joy, or distress, to reassure them that their emotions are important.
End your reading session with a creative activity, like drawing their favorite scene from the book or even role-playing a different ending with their toys.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: In 'Teddy's Favorite Toy,' Teddy demonstrates resilience when his favorite toy breaks and he creatively thinks of ways to fix it.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to handle disappointments and setbacks gracefully, finding solutions rather than giving up.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: Teddy uses his imagination to play with his toy in various scenarios, showing that with creativity, the possibilities are endless.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination in play and problem-solving, enhancing their creative thinking skills.
Example Lesson: Gender Roles
Explanation: Teddy enjoys a toy that might traditionally be considered 'girly,' challenging typical gender norms and showcasing that enjoyment does not have to be confined to gender-specific toys.
Real-World Application: Promotes open-mindedness among children regarding gender roles and supports the idea that they can pursue interests regardless of societal expectations.
Example Lesson: Problem-Solving
Explanation: When faced with the challenge of his broken toy, Teddy figures out a way to mend it, illustrating effective problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to assess situations, think critically, and devise practical solutions in everyday challenges.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Teddy's mother understands the importance of the toy to Teddy and helps him fix it, displaying empathy for her child's feelings.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to consider and respond to the feelings and perspectives of others, fostering empathy and emotional intelligence.