The Carousel Horse
on Goodreads (6)
What’s inside...
The Carousel Horse is a captivating tale that follows the journey of a magical carousel horse who comes to life and embarks on a series of adventures. The story is a blend of fantasy and reality, as the horse discovers the world beyond the carousel and learns valuable life lessons along the way.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the carousel horse feel when it was stuck on the carousel, and how did its feelings change throughout the story?
What would you have done if you were in the horse's place when it was trying to break free?
Why do you think friendship is important in 'The Carousel Horse'? Can you think of a time when a friend helped you like the characters in the book?
How did the illustrations help you understand what the horse was feeling?
If you could talk to the carousel horse, what advice would you give it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate personal experiences with the carousel horse's journey to help them connect emotionally with the story.
Discuss the importance of perseverance and friendship highlighted in the book, aligning these themes with real-life scenarios your child might encounter.
Ask your child to describe the emotions depicted in the illustrations, enhancing their understanding of visual storytelling.
Prompt your child to think creatively by asking what alternative endings they could imagine for the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout 'The Carousel Horse', the characters must work together to fix the broken carousel, demonstrating the power of cooperation and collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or helping out with team chores at home, learning the significance of working harmoniously with others.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: The protagonist, a shy carousel horse, overcomes its fears to save the day. This act of bravery highlights the theme of courage.
Real-World Application: Kids can relate this to their real lives by bravely facing new challenges, whether it's trying out for a sports team or speaking up in class.
Example Lesson: Value of perseverance
Explanation: The carousel horse demonstrates perseverance by continuing to strive towards fixing the carousel despite numerous setbacks.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of not giving up, even when tasks or homework seem difficult, instilling a resilient mindset.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem-solving
Explanation: The characters in the book come up with creative solutions to repair the carousel, showcasing innovation and critical thinking.
Real-World Application: Children learn to use their imagination to think outside the box and solve problems creatively, be it in their playtime scenarios or school projects.