The Children Who Smelled a Rat
The Gaskitts Series
on Goodreads (162)
What’s inside...
In this thrilling and amusing Gaskitts story, Mrs. Gaskitt finds a very peculiar package, Mr. Gaskitt loses a baby in a shopping cart, Horace the cat has mixed feelings about a bird, and the twins' beloved teacher, Mrs. Fritter — ooer! — is not herself. Why? How? When? And why does everyone keep looking the other way? Tune in for the astonishing answers in this silly story of the ever-surprising Gaskitt family, illustrated with comic finesse by Katharine McEwen.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the children felt when they discovered the mystery about the rat?
How did the characters work together to solve the problem? Why is teamwork important?
What would you have done differently if you were in the children’s shoes?
What does this story teach us about curiosity and bravery?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings for the story and discuss what effects those changes might have on the story’s outcome.
Draw parallels between the teamwork displayed by the characters in the book and situations in your child’s own life, such as working together with family or friends.
Ask your child how they think the characters felt at different points in the story to help them explore empathy and emotions.
Use open-ended questions that prompt your child to think more deeply about the story and relate it to their own experiences and values.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout 'The Children Who Smelled a Rat,' the characters face various challenges that require quick thinking and resourcefulness. By observing how the protagonists approach these situations, children learn effective problem-solving techniques.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply these problem-solving strategies in everyday situations such as resolving conflicts with peers or overcoming obstacles in school projects.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: The book highlights the importance of working together to achieve a common goal. The characters often collaborate to solve mysteries and handle difficult scenarios, emphasizing the power of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value cooperative play and group work, understanding that many tasks are easier and more enjoyable when done collectively.
Example Lesson: Importance of curiosity and observation
Explanation: The young detectives in the story are keen observers and curious about their surroundings, traits that help them solve the mystery. These qualities are presented as valuable and effective.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be observant and inquisitive about the world around them, enhancing their learning experience and fostering a lifelong love for discovery.
Example Lesson: Justice and fairness
Explanation: As the children uncover the truth behind the mystery, themes of justice and fairness are explored. This instills in young readers a sense of right and wrong.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to stand up for what they believe is fair and learn to seek justice in day-to-day interactions.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The imaginative plot and the creative solutions the children come up with in the story highlight the importance of creativity. The book celebrates thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: This lesson inspires children to use their imagination in problem-solving and to think creatively in both academic and social settings.