The Christmas Tree Mouse
What’s inside...
The Christmas Tree Mouse is a heartwarming tale of a tiny mouse who experiences the magic of Christmas while seeking a new home. As the mouse navigates through the festive season, it encounters various challenges and makes new friends, ultimately discovering the true spirit of the holiday. 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, save for the CHRISTMAS TREE MOUSE!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the mouse feels when he first finds the Christmas tree?
How do you think the mouse's adventure changes him by the end of the story?
What would you do if you were in the mouse's place during his journey?
Can you think of a time when you felt as brave as the mouse?
Why do you think it's important for the mouse to have friends along the way?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressions and gestures to bring the story to life, mirroring the mouse's emotions.
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the mouse's world, asking how they might feel in similar situations.
Discuss the themes of friendship and bravery, relating them to your child's personal experiences.
Point out the illustrations that capture key moments in the story, asking your child to describe what they see.
After reading, consider crafting a small 'mouse adventure' at home, using household items to recreate scenes from the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: In 'The Christmas Tree Mouse,' the main character, Mouse, shows kindness and understanding towards other characters despite their differences. This demonstrates the importance of empathy.
Real-World Application: Children learn to understand and share the feelings of others, fostering better relationships with their peers.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: Mouse faces various challenges and fears but overcomes them bravely, which highlights the virtue of courage.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to face their own fears and challenges in school or social settings with bravery.
Example Lesson: Sharing
Explanation: Throughout the story, Mouse shares resources and moments with friends, illustrating the joy and importance of sharing.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by sharing toys, time, or attention with their siblings and friends, promoting harmony.
Example Lesson: The spirit of giving
Explanation: Mouse exemplifies the spirit of giving by helping others in the story, especially during the festive season, underscoring the message of generosity.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of generosity during holidays and beyond, encouraging them to give back to their community.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Despite setbacks, Mouse continues to strive towards making the holiday season joyful for everyone, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand the importance of persisting through difficulties to achieve desired outcomes, whether in academics or personal pursuits.