The Bad Mood and the Stick
What’s inside...
Lemony Snicket sheds light on the way bad moods come and go. Once there was a bad mood and a stick. The stick appeared when a tree dropped it. Where did the bad mood come from? Who picked up the stick? And where is the bad mood off to now? You never know what is going to happen.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-6
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the stick in the story changes characters' moods?
How did the characters’ actions affect others around them?
What would you do if you found the stick?
Can you think of a time when your mood affected someone else?
How do you usually get out of a bad mood?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about each character by using expressive language.
Relate the book's theme to real-life situations your child might encounter, helping them connect the story to their own experiences.
Invite your child to draw or act out different scenarios from the book and discuss their choices.
Ask your child to think of creative ways to share a 'good mood' similar to how the stick was passed around in the story.
Create a 'mood meter' with your child that can help them identify how they are feeling before and after the book discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Emotions
Explanation: The book illustrates how moods can be contagious and affect those around us. Through the journey of the stick, readers see how a bad mood spreads from person to person.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize their own emotions and understand how their mood might impact others in their surroundings, fostering empathy and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Consequence of Actions
Explanation: Characters in the story experience changes in mood depending on the actions of others, showing that each action can lead to a reaction.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to consider the consequences of their actions on themselves and others, promoting thoughtful behavior.
Example Lesson: Resilience and Adaptability
Explanation: The story of the stick travelling from one character to another demonstrates adaptability and how characters creatively deal with their mood.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be resilient and adaptive in shifting situations or when facing their own changing moods.
Example Lesson: Sharing Emotions
Explanation: The narrative encourages characters to share their feelings with others, showing the importance of open emotional communication.
Real-World Application: This lesson can encourage children to express their feelings and share their moods with trusted individuals, helping them process emotions healthily.
Example Lesson: Impact of Small Things
Explanation: The transfer of the stick among characters signifies how small things or actions can have significant emotional impacts.
Real-World Application: Children can understand that even minor actions or objects can bring happiness or sadness, teaching them to appreciate small joys and be cautious of little upsets.