The Biggest Nose
on Goodreads (54)
What’s inside...
Eleanor the elephant is self-conscious about her large nose after she is teased by Betty the hippopotamus, but she overcomes her sensitivity when she realizes Betty has the biggest mouth.
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Eleanor was unhappy about her big nose?
How do you think Eleanor felt when her friends made fun of her nose?
What changed Eleanor's mind about her nose being too big?
Can you think of something unique about you that you are proud of?
How do you think the story would be different if Eleanor didn't learn to appreciate her nose?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child how they felt about the story to gauge their initial impressions and emotional response.
Encourage your child to relate to Eleanor by discussing times they have felt different or uncomfortable about themselves.
Praise empathetic responses and reinforce the importance of accepting and celebrating differences in ourselves and others.
Use this conversation as an opportunity to discuss the value of kindness and how words can affect others' feelings.
Connect the story to real-life examples of people who have turned their unique traits into strengths.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Self-acceptance
Explanation: The story follows Eleanor, an elephant who is initially self-conscious about her large nose, but learns to appreciate her unique feature as the story progresses.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace their own differences and recognize that what makes them unique is what makes them special.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: As Eleanor experiences teasing and learns to accept herself, other characters also learn to see things from her perspective, encouraging empathy among readers.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to understand and share the feelings of their peers, fostering a more inclusive environment at school or in playgroups.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Eleanor shows resilience by overcoming her insecurities and handling teasing from her peers, eventually finding confidence in herself.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of resilience in overcoming personal challenges and developing self-confidence despite external opinions.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: Throughout the book, Eleanor receives support from her friends who appreciate her for who she is, not just her appearance.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to value friendships based on mutual respect and kindness rather than superficial attributes.