The Bad Birthday Idea
What’s inside...
Ben likes to play with robots and excludes his little sister, Alice, from joining in because she has a doll. For her birthday, Alice asks for the exact robot Ben has been wanting, making Ben jealous. He plans to sneakily play with it during her birthday party, but things go wrong. Overcome with guilt, Ben learns that his relationship with his sister is more important than any toy.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Alice learned from her experience with the robot?
How did Alice and her brother feel when things didn't go as planned?
Why is it important to work together and listen to each other's ideas?
What would you have done differently if you were Alice?
How did the characters change from the beginning to the end of the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use empathetic listening to understand your child's perspective. Acknowledge their feelings and thoughts about the story.
Link the themes of the book to real-life situations that your child may encounter to make the lesson more relatable.
Emphasize the importance of teamwork and cooperation, and discuss instances where these values can be applied in their daily activities.
Encourage your child to think creatively by asking how they would solve problems similar to those faced by Alice and her brother.
Focus on the resolution of the story and ask your child how they might apply similar resolutions in their own life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of problem-solving
Explanation: In 'The Bad Birthday Idea', the characters face a challenging situation when their plans do not go as expected. They creatively overcome this by working together and thinking of new solutions.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to remain calm and think creatively when facing unexpected challenges in school or play.
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, the siblings learn that they achieve more when they collaborate and support each other, rather than trying to handle problems individually.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to participate in group activities and emphasizes the importance of cooperation in achieving common goals, whether in family tasks or school projects.
Example Lesson: Accepting the consequences of one's actions
Explanation: The characters in the book make some decisions that lead to not-so-great outcomes, which teaches them to think carefully before acting.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the significance of considering the consequences of their actions and making responsible decisions, such as thinking before speaking or acting impulsively.
Example Lesson: Embracing differences and diversity
Explanation: The book showcases a variety of characters with different traits and preferences, promoting a message of acceptance and understanding.
Real-World Application: This can help children appreciate the diversity in their classrooms and communities, fostering an inclusive attitude towards peers of different backgrounds.
Example Lesson: The power of apology and forgiveness
Explanation: When mistakes are made in the story, the characters learn to apologize and forgive each other, healing relationships and moving forward.
Real-World Application: In real life, this teaches children the importance of mending fences after disputes and the strength found in forgiveness, vital for healthy relationships throughout life.