The Big Chew
What’s inside...
Journey into a whimsical world where young Timmy and his animal friends learn the importance of teamwork and friendship. The crew of the Big Chew are on a quest for treasure but face challenges as their ship begins to fall apart. They creatively use gum as a makeshift solution, highlighting ingenuity and the power of thinking outside the box.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the character felt the need to chew everything?
What do you think the character learned by the end of the story?
How did the character's actions affect the others in the story?
If you were in the story, what would you have done differently?
Can you think of a time when you felt similar to the character?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the story to life and keep your child engaged.
Ask your child to guess what might happen next in the story to encourage prediction skills.
Relate the story to your child's experiences to enhance personal connection and understanding.
Encourage your child to describe their favorite part of the book and explain why they liked it.
Discuss the morals and lessons of the story to reinforce character development and empathy.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Sharing is caring
Explanation: In 'The Big Chew', the main character learns the importance of sharing his belongings with his friends, which leads to happier and more fulfilling playtime.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by sharing toys or snacks with their peers during school or playdates, fostering a sense of community and friendship.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, the protagonist encounters various challenges and learns to think creatively to solve them, showcasing the value of perseverance and ingenuity.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to tackle obstacles in their learning or everyday tasks, enhancing their critical thinking and resilience.
Example Lesson: Respecting differences
Explanation: The story promotes diversity by introducing characters with different backgrounds and characteristics, teaching the protagonist to appreciate and respect these differences.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to embrace individual differences in their classmates and friends, fostering an inclusive environment wherever they go.
Example Lesson: The joy of exploration
Explanation: The book highlights adventures the characters go on, which ignites curiosity and the joy of discovering new things.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to explore their surroundings, be it nature or new areas in their community, enhancing their observational skills and appreciation for the world.
Example Lesson: Importance of kindness
Explanation: Kind acts are a central theme in 'The Big Chew', where the characters experience the positive outcomes that come from being kind to others.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be mirrored in a child's day-to-day interactions by encouraging them to perform acts of kindness, improving their social relationships and emotional well-being.