The Big Custard Disaster
What’s inside...
In 'The Big Custard Disaster,' author Heather Pindar takes young readers on a whimsical adventure filled with chaos and laughter. A culinary experiment goes awry, covering a town in yellow custard and teaching children about cause and effect and problem-solving as characters work together to solve their sticky situation. Warm illustrations complement this engaging story, making it a great choice for fun and educational reading time.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the characters to try and fix the custard disaster?
How did the characters work together to solve the problem?
What would you have done differently if you were in the story?
How did the story make you feel when the disaster was happening?
What did you learn from how the characters handled the situation?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading the book, ask your child to predict what could be a 'big custard disaster'. After reading, revisit their predictions and discuss.
Encourage your child to describe their favorite part of the story and why it stood out to them.
Discuss the various emotions the characters might have felt during the custard disaster, and relate them to real-life situations your child might encounter.
Use the resolution of the story to teach problem-solving skills. Ask your child how teamwork played a role in solving the custard disaster.
After reading, engage your child in a fun activity by making a simple custard together. Discuss the steps involved and compare them to how the characters in the book handled their situation.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'The Big Custard Disaster,' the characters learn to take responsibility for their actions when a fun custard-making experiment goes awry, causing a mess.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to own up to their mistakes and understand their role in different situations, whether it's admitting to a broken vase at home or an unfinished homework assignment.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The story emphasizes the importance of working together to solve problems as the characters collaborate to clean up the custard mess.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in group activities at school where cooperating with others is essential for achieving a common goal.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The book shows how the characters use creative thinking to tackle the cleanup process efficiently after the custard disaster.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to think outside the box and use innovative solutions for daily challenges, like organizing their room or coming up with a fun game.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The narrative demonstrates that actions have consequences, as seen when the characters' decision to increase the amount of ingredients causes the disaster.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn that their choices, big or small, impact themselves and others around them, such as sharing toys or following rules in class.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Despite the disaster, the characters remain positive and tackle the challenge, showcasing resilience.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to face difficulties with optimism and perseverance, helping them navigate setbacks in school projects or personal endeavors.