The BossQueen, Little BigBark, and the Sentinel Pup
#2 in The Little BigBark Series
What’s inside...
Young Mina must find her place in the order of things when she and the two older dogs move with OurShe into a different house, where the new members of their pack include OurHe, OurBoy, OurGirl, and That Cat. In her debut novel about blending families, loss, and growing up, Sarah Clark Jordan writes from the perspective of three dogs as their Pack moves to a new home-one that comes complete with a troublesome cat and new responsibilities. Anyone who's ever loved a dog will cheer for The BossQueen, Little BigBark, and the Sentinel Pup. -Megan McDonald, author of the Judy Moody series.
Discussion points
What do you think the Sentinel Pup learned about bravery in the story?
How did Little BigBark show leadership? Can you think of a time when you did something similar?
Why is it important to have a BossQueen looking out for everyone?
What would you do if you were in Sentinel Pup's position during the big challenge?
How do you think the characters felt at the end of the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the characters to life, altering your voice for each character to maintain your child's interest.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask your child how they think a character is feeling or what they might do next.
Relate the story to your child's experiences by discussing similar situations your child has faced and how they felt or acted.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character to deepen their connection with the story.
Discuss the moral of the story and how these lessons can be applied in everyday life, reinforcing the book's themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Leadership and Responsibility
Explanation: The character, BossQueen, demonstrates leadership by guiding and supporting her group, teaching children the value of taking initiative and being responsible.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these principles at school by taking charge of group assignments and ensuring everyone contributes equally.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: Throughout the adventure, Little BigBark and the Sentinel Pup must work together to overcome obstacles, illustrating the importance of cooperation and teamwork.
Real-World Application: Kids learn that working together with their peers can help solve problems faster and more efficiently, whether during sports or group projects.
Example Lesson: Courage and Facing Fears
Explanation: The characters often face scary situations but learn to overcome their fears, a crucial lesson in developing bravery.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to face their own fears and challenges, be it trying out for a school play, talking to a new classmate, or standing up for what is right.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Kindness
Explanation: The Sentinel Pup shows empathy by understanding and feeling the emotions of others, promoting a message of kindness.
Real-World Application: Children are reminded to be considerate and empathetic towards their friends and family, which fosters a caring community environment.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The book showcases various instances where characters need to think quickly and creatively to navigate through their journeys, highlighting effective problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of thinking critically and creatively in their daily lives, whether in academic settings or personal scenarios.