The Animals of Farthing Wood (Egmont Heritage)
#1 in The animals of Farthing Wood Series
on Goodreads (5,928)
What’s inside...
Farthing Wood is being bulldozed and a drought means the animals no longer have anywhere to live or drink. Fox, Badger, Toad, Tawny Owl, Mole, and the other animals band together and leave their ancestral home and set off to move to a far-away nature reserve. The animals must unite in adversity and face numerous challenges like fire and river crossings. Amidst these struggles, they have sworn an oath to stick together and protect each other in order to survive. This is a story about tolerance, cooperation, survival, and friendship. Both heart-wrenching and heart-warming, this classic story continues to appeal and capture children's imaginations, and has been translated into 16 languages.
Discussion points
How do you think Fox felt when he had to lead the other animals to a new home?
What qualities do you think make a good leader, based on the animals' journey?
Why is teamwork important when the animals face challenges?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone, like the animals help each other?
How do the different habitats in the story affect the animals' journey?
Tip: Role play these questions
Show genuine interest in your child’s responses to foster an open conversation.
Relate the animals’ experiences to your child’s own life to make the story more relatable.
Praise your child’s thoughts and insights to encourage deeper thinking.
Discuss the leadership qualities of different characters and ask your child which they admire the most.
Use the story as a springboard to talk about the importance of cooperation and helping others.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: Throughout their journey, the animals in 'The Animals of Farthing Wood' must work together to overcome obstacles and survive. By pooling their unique skills and strengths, they are able to navigate challenges effectively.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities or team sports, learning to collaborate with others to achieve a common goal.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The animals encounter numerous threats and challenges as they travel to their new home. Despite these hardships, they persist and remain determined to reach a safe environment.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of perseverance and resilience when facing difficult situations in their own lives, such as moving to a new school or dealing with personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature and wildlife
Explanation: The story emphasizes the struggles that wildlife face due to human encroachment and environmental destruction, advocating for a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be more conscious of their environment and the impact of their actions on nature. They can be encouraged to engage in activities that promote environmental conservation.
Example Lesson: The consequences of decisions
Explanation: As the animals make critical decisions throughout the book, some lead to safety while others bring peril. This highlights the importance of thoughtful decision-making.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that their choices have consequences, teaching them to think through their decisions and consider potential outcomes.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The story showcases diverse characters facing a common threat, encouraging them to understand and empathize with each other’s fears and hopes.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to empathize with people from different backgrounds and perspectives, fostering a sense of community and understanding in their interactions.