The Baddies
The Baddies Series
What’s inside...
The brand-new picture book from superstar author and illustrator Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler is a riot of slapstick fun and silliness. The Baddies are the meanest, nastiest ghost, witch and troll in the land. They just adore being bad and fight over who is the worst. When a little girl moves into a nearby cottage, the Baddies can’t wait to scare her out of her wits. But the little girl quickly shows them that you don’t have to be big to be brave, and baddies don’t always win. Perfect read-aloud rhyming text and stunning pictures on every page with lots of details to spot. Julia and Axel are the team that have created picture book favorites such as The Gruffalo, Stick Man, Zog and Highway Rat - all of which have been made into animated films premiering on BBC1 Christmas Day.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the baddies in the story behave the way they do?
What would you do if you met someone like the baddies?
How did the characters' actions make you feel?
Can you think of a time when someone misunderstood you like they misunderstood the baddies?
What is one thing you would change in the story, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Emphasize empathy by asking your child how they think the baddies felt during various parts of the story.
Encourage critical thinking by discussing different possible endings for the story and their implications.
Facilitate a connection to personal experiences by relating the story's themes to familiar situations in your child's life.
Promote creativity and imagination by asking your child to draw or write about their favorite scene or character.
Highlight the importance of perspectives by discussing how different characters might have seen the same situation differently.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'The Baddies', the characters must work together to achieve their goal, showcasing how collaboration is crucial.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of cooperating with others, whether in school projects or in sports, understanding that teamwork often leads to success.
Example Lesson: Understanding differences
Explanation: The book highlights how each character, despite being a 'baddie', has unique traits that contribute positively when acknowledged and utilized correctly.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to appreciate and embrace differences in their peers, promoting inclusivity and respect in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Redemption and second chances
Explanation: The characters in the story learn from their mistakes and strive to do better, illustrating the theme of redemption.
Real-World Application: Kids are taught the importance of forgiving others and themselves, learning that everyone deserves a chance to improve and rectify their errors.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout the book, the 'baddies' face various challenges that they need to solve by thinking creatively.
Real-World Application: This element teaches children to approach problems with an open and creative mindset, boosting their ability to navigate obstacles in everyday life.