The Boy Who Said Baa: A Christmas Story
What’s inside...
'The Boy Who Said Baa' tells the story of a little boy with a vocabulary consisting of one word. His parents are concerned, and mean people make fun of him. But he's not quite ready to speak more words. Then Christmas arrives, and when his church Nativity play dissolves into chaos, he saves the day with his one word and makes a joyful noise heard around the world. Written in humorous verse by Judy Dryden with charming illustrations by acclaimed British artist Rosie Brooks, 'The Boy Who Said Baa' is a sweet story of personal triumph, inspiring not only to children with delayed speech issues, but to any child struggling with feeling 'different.'
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-10
Length
36 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the boy chose to say 'Baa' instead of talking?
How did the boy's unique way of communicating change the way others around him reacted?
What do you feel was the most magical part of this Christmas story, and why?
How do you think the story would have been different if the boy spoke in regular words from the beginning?
Can you think of a time when you felt like you couldn't express yourself with words? How did you handle it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressions and animated voices while reading to bring the characters to life. After reading, relate the themes of the book to personal family experiences, particularly moments of misunderstood communication or unique holiday memories. Encourage your child to draw or act out their favorite part of the story, fostering a deeper connection and understanding of the narrative.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness and generosity
Explanation: In the story, the protagonist learns to share his gifts with others, showing how his acts of kindness brighten everyone's Christmas.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by sharing their toys, time, or help with friends and family, fostering a nurturing and communal spirit.
Example Lesson: The value of courage and self-expression
Explanation: The boy’s decision to speak up, represented by his unique 'baa', symbolizes the courage it takes to express one’s true self, even when it’s different from others.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be true to themselves and express their thoughts and feelings confidently, despite peer pressure.
Example Lesson: The impact of empathy
Explanation: As the protagonist empathizes with others' feelings and needs, he extends his warmth and generosity, which enhances the festive spirit.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to understand and share the feelings of others, improving their relationships and building strong emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: The boy initially struggles with fitting in but learns valuable lessons from the mistakes he makes, leading to personal growth and acceptance.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that it is okay to make mistakes as they are learning opportunities that contribute to personal development.