The Blue Ribbon Day
on Goodreads (100)
What’s inside...
Everybody's a star, a brilliant creation. The trouble is finding the right constellation! Ellie McSnelly and Carrie O'Toole, the winning pair of friends from The Brand New Kid, return for a new adventure. They try out for the school soccer team but only one girl is selected, leading to disappointment. With some help from her mother and old friend Lazlo, Carrie discovers she has undiscovered talents, realizing she can excel in other areas if she tries something new. This story offers a reassuring message about coping with disappointments and finding confidence.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Ellie feel when she didn’t win any ribbons, and what did she do to overcome her disappointment?
Why do you think teamwork was important in the story?
Can you think of a time when you tried something new like Ellie? What happened?
How did helping others make Ellie feel better?
What does this story teach us about winning and losing?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about winning and losing, relating it to their personal experiences.
Discuss the importance of trying new things and not being afraid of making mistakes.
Highlight the value of teamwork and ask your child about a time they had to work with others to achieve a goal.
Use examples from the book to teach resilience and the importance of perseverance even when things don’t go as planned.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: In 'The Blue Ribbon Day', the protagonist faces challenges in achieving their goal but continues to strive and practice regularly.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of consistent effort and not giving up when facing difficulties in school or in learning new skills.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The story emphasizes working together and supporting peers, demonstrating how collaboration leads to success.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by participating in team activities, such as sports or group projects, fostering camaraderie and cooperation.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Characters in the book show understanding and support for each other’s feelings, especially when someone is struggling or upset.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be considerate of their friends’ and family members’ emotions, helping them build strong, empathetic relationships.
Example Lesson: Handling Disappointment
Explanation: The book shows characters experiencing setbacks and learning to cope with not always winning.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that it's okay to feel sad or disappointed sometimes, and it's important to learn how to recover from these feelings constructively.
Example Lesson: Celebrating Others' Successes
Explanation: It highlights the joy in celebrating achievements of friends, promoting a positive and supportive community.
Real-World Application: Children learn to foster a sense of happiness for others’ achievements, which can strengthen friendships and encourage a positive social environment.