The BIG Adventures of Little O: A Song for the Salmon
on Goodreads (9)
What’s inside...
In the ocean off the Pacific West Coast, a hungry orca pod is chasing the last remaining salmon. When Little O becomes separated from Mama Whale and gets lost, he must begin a journey of survival that will take all his strength and courage. On his quest to find the salmon and reunite with his family, Little O becomes connected to Mother Nature through her magical messages and the creatures he meets along the way, including Dalli the porpoise, Lutris the Otter, and Griz the grizzly bear. He also meets Ruby, a human girl, and her dog, and when he comes face to face with a menacing orca called The Pirate, he must flee or be brave and fight for his life. With nature all around him, Little O is never alone as he learns to follow his heart and trust his instincts to find his true destiny.
Discussion points
What do you think Little O felt when he saw the salmon struggling? How did it make you feel?
Why is it important to help creatures like the salmon in the story?
What are some ways we can help protect animals and their homes?
How do you think the story would change if Little O didn't decide to help?
What did you learn about salmon from this book that you didn't know before?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story and relate it to their own experiences. Ask them to imagine alternative endings or solutions to the challenges faced by the characters. Highlight the importance of empathy and environmental conservation discussed in the book. Use the story as a starting point to explore more about local wildlife and ecosystems together.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of perseverance
Explanation: In the story, Little O faces challenges while trying to help the salmon, but she doesn’t give up. Her determination shows that persistence is key to achieving goals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply the lesson of perseverance in their daily activities, such as completing a difficult school project or learning a new skill like riding a bike.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: Little O's journey highlights the significance of caring for the environment as she helps the salmon. This teaches children the importance of respecting and protecting wildlife and natural habitats.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice this by engaging in environmental conservation activities such as recycling, planting trees, or cleaning up local parks.
Example Lesson: Empathy and kindness
Explanation: Throughout the book, Little O demonstrates empathy by understanding the needs of the salmon and taking action to assist them. This shows the value of being considerate towards others' feelings and situations.
Real-World Application: Children can exhibit empathy and kindness in their interactions with friends and family, helping out when someone is in need or understanding different perspectives.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Little O collaborates with others in the community to save the salmon, illustrating that teamwork can lead to accomplishing significant tasks that might be difficult to achieve alone.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in group activities at school or in sports, where cooperation and working together are essential for success.
Example Lesson: The power of music
Explanation: Music plays a pivotal role in the book as it brings the community together and energizes their efforts to save the salmon. This emphasizes how music can inspire and unite people.
Real-World Application: Children can use music as a way to express themselves, share their emotions, and connect with others, whether at home, in school, or in their community.