The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale
What’s inside...
In this playful homage to Charles Dickens, Skilley, an alley cat with an embarrassing secret, longs to escape his street-cat life. Hoping to trade London's damp alleyways for the warmth of ye olde Cheshire Cheese Inn, Skilley strikes a bargain with Pip, an erudite mouse. Skilley will protect the mice who live at the inn, and in turn, the mice will provide Skilley with the thing he desires most. But when Skilley and Pip are drawn into a crisis of monumental proportions, their new friendship is pushed to its limits. The escalating crisis threatens the peace not only of the Cheshire Cheese Inn but the entire British Monarchy! New York Times best-selling author Carmen Agra Deedy and coauthor Randall Wright collaborate on this compelling story set in Victorian England. With the artwork of award-winning illustrator Barry Moser, The Cheshire Cheese Cat is filled with charming characters and strong themes of friendship and loyalty.
Age
8-12
Length
229 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Skilley
Charles Dickens
Pip
Maldwyn
Pinch
Discussion points
How do you think Skilley felt when he first arrived at the Cheshire Cheese Inn? What would you feel in a similar new place?
What do you think makes the friendship between Skilley the cat and Pip the mouse special? Do you have a friendship that is unexpected like theirs?
Why do you think Skilley decided to keep Pip's secret? What would you do if you were in his place?
How did the characters in the story show courage? Can you share a time when you had to be brave?
What did you learn about Charles Dickens and Victorian England through this story? Was there anything that surprised you?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the characters' decisions and actions, fostering empathy and moral reasoning.
Discuss the historical setting of the book, and encourage your child to compare and contrast it with the present day to enhance comprehension and interest.
Highlight the themes of friendship and trust in the book, and relate them to your child’s personal experiences to deepen their understanding and connection to the story.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next at various points in the story, to develop their anticipatory and critical thinking skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship and loyalty
Explanation: In 'The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale,' the characters, Skilley the cat and Pip the mouse, form an unlikely friendship despite their natural instincts as predator and prey. This bond is tested and proves strong as they face various challenges throughout the story.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of forming and maintaining friendships with those who might be different from them. It emphasizes the power of trust and support among friends in overcoming difficulties.
Example Lesson: The significance of courage and resourcefulness
Explanation: The protagonist, Skilley, often uses his wit and bravery to solve problems, such as dealing with the tavern's bully, Pinch. His actions inspire other characters to also act bravely.
Real-World Application: This story can encourage children to be resourceful and to face their fears, whether it's standing up to a bully or tackling a difficult problem at school or home.
Example Lesson: Understanding and embracing differences
Explanation: Throughout the novel, characters such as Skilley and Pip, along with other animal and human characters, learn to accept and appreciate each other's differences. This theme is central to the development of the story's conflict and its resolution.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that everyone is unique, and embracing differences can lead to unexpected and enriching friendships. It teaches tolerance and acceptance in diverse social settings.
Example Lesson: The value of honesty
Explanation: Skilley’s decision to be honest about his dislike for hunting mice and preference for cheese is a turning point in the story that leads to mutual trust and collaboration among the characters.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of being truthful and the positive outcomes that can arise from honesty, such as earning trust and respect from others.