The Bag of Bones: The Second Tale from the Five Kingdoms (Tales from the Five Kingdoms)
#2 of 5 in The Five Kingdoms Series
What’s inside...
Now in paperback— Hold on to your head for the funny and fast-paced second Tale from the Five Kingdoms, a follow-up to THE ROBE OF SKULLS. When the quill writes GO GO GO frantically on the wall, and the House of the Ancient Crones heaves Gracie Gillypot outside onto the path, it can mean only one thing: there’s Trouble in the Five Kingdoms. This time it’s in the form of a beady-eyed, green-tongued witch named Truda Hangnail, who with her banished Deep Magic has vowed to succeed Queen Bluebell on the throne. Now that her horrible spell has shrunk the good witches of Wadington to the size of, well, rats, can anything stop her? Will the strengths, smarts, and charms of a spunky trueheart, a sweet-natured orphan, a scruffy prince, a substantial troll, and two squabbling bats be enough to foil her insidious plot?
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the Queen of the Darkness to be so mean, and how could her actions have been different if she had made kinder choices?
How do the different characters in 'The Bag of Bones' show courage and teamwork? Can you think of a time you had to work with others to solve a problem?
What lessons can we learn from Trilby's adventures? Why is it important to stand up for what's right?
How does the setting in the Five Kingdoms affect the story? How would the story change if it was set somewhere else?
Why do you think the author, Vivian French, chose a bag of bones as an important part of the story? What does it symbolize?
Tip: Role play these questions
While reading, pause at tense moments to predict what might happen next. This encourages analytical thinking and keeps your child engaged.
After reading a chapter, ask your child to summarize it in their own words. This aids in comprehension and memory retention.
Relate the themes of the story to real-life situations to help your child see the relevance and applicability of the characters' experiences.
Encourage your child to describe their favorite character, and ask why they like that character. This helps in understanding character traits and moral values.
Create drawings or small acts based on scenes from the book. This makes the reading experience interactive and enhances creativity.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'The Bag of Bones,' various characters come together to solve problems and overcome obstacles. This collaboration highlights how working together can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in play, learning to cooperate and value each member's contribution.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: The protagonist confronts many challenges and fears throughout the story. Courage is demonstrated as a necessary trait to achieve goals and face unexpected difficulties.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to face their own fears, whether speaking in front of the class, trying a new activity, or standing up for themselves and others.
Example Lesson: The value of clever thinking and resourcefulness
Explanation: Characters in the book often use their wits to navigate tricky situations, which underscores the importance of thinking critically and being inventive when faced with problems.
Real-World Application: Children can be inspired to think creatively to solve problems, whether in their homework, in resolving conflicts with peers, or in daily tasks.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters experience the consequences of their actions, which serves as a lesson on responsibility and the impact of one's decisions.
Real-World Application: This lesson reinforces for children the importance of thinking before acting and being mindful of how their actions affect others and themselves.