The Cheetah: An Origin Story (DC Super-Villains Origins)
DC Super-villains Series
What’s inside...
Explore the compelling origin story of one of DC Comics' most notorious supervillains, The Cheetah. Dive into her transformation from archaeologist Barbara Ann Minerva into the speed-driven and formidable Cheetah, highlighting her conflicts with Wonder Woman and her journey through the dark alleys of ambition and power.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the cheetah character chose to become a villain?
What qualities or actions would have made the cheetah a hero instead?
How do the other characters react to the cheetah's actions, and what does that teach us about consequences?
If you could give the cheetah one piece of advice, what would it be?
How can we apply the lessons learned from the cheetah's story to our everyday challenges?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think critically about the motivations behind the cheetah's actions and decisions. Use the discussion to explore broader themes of right versus wrong, and the impact of our choices on others. Prompt your child to think about alternative scenarios and personal accountability by asking what they might have done differently in the cheetah’s place. This not only enhances comprehension but also fosters empathy and ethical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience and perseverance
Explanation: The story of The Cheetah demonstrates how the character overcomes obstacles and challenges through sheer determination and resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that facing difficulties with courage and persistence can help them achieve their goals, even when situations seem tough.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences
Explanation: The Cheetah’s journey illustrates how choices have impacts and how negative decisions can lead to adverse outcomes.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to think critically about the consequences of their actions before making decisions.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As readers learn about The Cheetah's backstory, they gain insights into the reasons behind her actions, promoting a deeper understanding of her character.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this to everyday interactions by learning to consider others' backgrounds and perspectives, fostering empathy and better interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: The importance of personal history
Explanation: The narrative delves into The Cheetah's origin, underscoring how personal history shapes an individual.
Real-World Application: This can help children appreciate their own history and how it influences their identity and actions.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Throughout the book, The Cheetah makes various choices that lead to learning opportunities through mistakes.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to see mistakes as a natural part of learning and growing, rather than as failures.