The Clockwork Menagerie
on Goodreads (63)
What’s inside...
In this monstrously funny and original lift-the-flaps adventure, a child eludes monsters by hiding in iconic fairytale homes, such as the three little pigs' brick house, Sleeping Beauty's palace, and Hansel and Gretel's gingerbread mansion. Readers can explore various hiding spots by lifting flaps to help the child stay hidden. Ultimately, the child confronts the monsters using knowledge from the fairy tales to defeat them. Created by Clotilde Perrin, this large-format adventure features an interactive hide-and-seek experience within beloved fairytale settings, receiving high praise, including a starred review from Kirkus Reviews.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-9
Length
28 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the clockwork animals felt when they were first created?
What do you think the key symbolizes in the story?
If you could design your own clockwork animal, what special features would it have?
Why do you think the magician decided to make a Clockwork Menagerie?
How do the characters change throughout the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions to encourage your child to explore the themes and characters more deeply.
Relate the emotions of the clockwork animals to real-life situations your child might encounter, fostering empathy and critical thinking.
Encourage your child to draw or create their version of a clockwork animal inspired by the book.
Discuss the importance of creativity and imagination, as showcased by the magician's inventions in the story.
Connect the story's moral or message to your child's daily experiences to enhance their understanding and retention of the book’s lessons.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'The Clockwork Menagerie,' various characters must work together to solve problems and overcome obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of collaborating with others, which is essential in school projects and other social interactions.
Example Lesson: Creativity and innovation
Explanation: The protagonists use their creativity to repair and reinvent mechanical animals.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think outside the box and apply creative thinking in their activities and problem-solving tasks.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Characters in the book are tasked with caring for the mechanical animals, demonstrating the importance of responsibility.
Real-World Application: Kids can relate this to taking care of their own pets or being responsible for their toys and belongings.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters encounter setbacks but continue to persevere and adapt.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of resilience and not giving up when faced with difficulties, whether in academics, sports, or personal endeavors.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: The book shows how understanding the feelings and needs of the mechanical animals helps in better caring for them.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be empathetic towards the feelings of others, promoting better interpersonal relationships and emotional intelligence.