The Clumsies Make A Mess (Book 1)
#1 of 6 in The Clumsies Series
on Goodreads (64)
What’s inside...
Three crazy, funny stories, featuring the two clumsiest talking mice you'll ever meet… Shortlisted for the ROALD DAHL FUNNY PRIZE 2010. The mouse started to trundle away, glancing at Howard over its shoulder, nervously. 'You may well glance at me nervously,' said Howard, picking up an empty water glass and placing it over the mouse. 'You'll stay in there so I can eat my breakfast in peace. I shall deal with you afterwards…' But you can't really deal with the Clumsies, afterwards or at any time. Once you've got them, you're stuck with them. From the moment when Howard Armitage first finds two talking mice under his desk - the inimitable and hilarious Purvis and Mickey Thompson - his life, and his belongings, are turned forever upside down. Obsessed with biscuits and forever playing incomprehensible games of their own devising, the Clumsies are not your average mice - and though they're desperate to help Howard get out of trouble with his evil boss, they're only really good for one thing… making a mess.
Discussion points
Why do you think the Clumsies make so many messes? What do their actions tell us about dealing with mistakes?
How do the characters in the book react to the Clumsies' messes? Can you think of a time when you reacted similarly?
What lessons do you think the Clumsies learned by the end of the story? How would you apply these lessons in your daily life?
If you could give the Clumsies one piece of advice, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the consequences of actions by discussing the messes the Clumsies create and what they might do differently.
Use the reactions of other characters in the story to talk about empathy and understanding, asking your child how they might feel in similar situations.
Discuss the resolution of the book and ask your child to imagine alternative endings, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.
Highlight the humor in the book's events to make the discussion enjoyable, ensuring that learning from the book remains a positive experience.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'The Clumsies Make A Mess,' the characters often find themselves in chaotic situations due to lack of responsibility. Children see firsthand the consequences of neglecting duties.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by taking care of their belongings, completing their homework, and helping with household chores to prevent disorder and mistakes.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters learn that working together helps solve problems more efficiently than working alone. The Clumsies have to collaborate to clean up the messes they create.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to cooperate with siblings, classmates, and friends during group activities or tasks, enhancing their social and cooperative skills.
Example Lesson: Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: The story highlights the importance of learning from errors as the Clumsies often repeat the same mistakes. Eventually, they start learning from them and try to improve.
Real-World Application: Children are taught to reflect on their own mistakes and understand that errors are opportunities for learning and growth, not just setbacks.
Example Lesson: Creativity in Problem Solving
Explanation: The book showcases different quirky and creative methods the Clumsies use to tackle unforeseen problems, emphasizing thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to employ creative thinking in their daily challenges, whether in play, studies, or simple day-to-day tasks.