The Adventures of William and Thomas (I Told You So! Book 1)
#1 in I Told You So! Series
What’s inside...
The Adventures of William and Thomas follows the mischievous escapades of two ten-year-old boys, William and Thomas, in the town of Itchygooney. Known for their daring stunts and pranks, the boys find themselves in a series of humorous situations, from getting stuck in trees to being attacked by killer bees. This book is the first installment in the I Told You So series, which captures their adventures in short, standalone bursts of laughter and excitement.
Discussion points
What do you think made William and Thomas become such good friends?
How did you feel when William and Thomas faced challenges? How do you think they felt?
What is the most important lesson that William and Thomas learned in their adventure?
Can you think of a time when you had a disagreement with a friend like William and Thomas did? How did you resolve it?
What would you have done differently if you were in William or Thomas's shoes during their adventure?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences. Ask them to think about times they've had similar feelings or challenges as the characters. Highlight the importance of friendship and teamwork as explored in the book. Use expressive read-aloud techniques to make the characters' adventures and emotions come alive. After reading, consider role-playing some scenes from the book to deepen understanding and empathy for the characters.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: William and Thomas demonstrate the power of teamwork as they collaborate to solve problems and face challenges together throughout their adventures.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by working together with their peers in group activities at school or during playtime, learning to value each other's input and support one another.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and accountability
Explanation: The characters learn to take responsibility for their actions and understand the consequences that follow, teaching the importance of being accountable.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to own up to their mistakes and learn from them, fostering a sense of accountability in their day-to-day activities.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding others
Explanation: Through their interactions, William and Thomas learn to understand and empathize with each other, highlighting the importance of seeing things from another’s perspective.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to practice empathy by considering their friends' feelings and viewpoints, which can lead to more harmonious relationships.
Example Lesson: The value of perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters face various challenges but their determination never wavers, illustrating the benefits of perseverance.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to keep trying even when faced with difficulties, whether it be in completing a challenging homework assignment or mastering a new skill.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: William and Thomas often come up with creative solutions to obstacles they encounter, emphasizing the importance of thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think creatively in their own lives, enhancing their problem-solving skills and encouraging innovative thinking in various situations.