The Clumsies Make a Mess of the Seaside (Book 2)
#2 of 6 in The Clumsies Series
on Goodreads (29)
What’s inside...
More hilarious stories in the CLUMSIES series - shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize 2010. It's Clumsies on Sea as Howard and the Clumsies head to the seaside for what Howard calls a 'conference' and the Clumsies call a 'holiday'! Will Howard manage to impress his evil boss Mr Bullerton? Will he get to the hotel on time? And will the trip pass without mess or incident of any kind? Of course not. Nothing goes to plan when the Clumsies are about! Sandcastles, talking donkeys, runaway supermarket trollies: this clumsy adventure has it all!
Discussion points
What do you think the Clumsies learned from their adventures at the seaside?
How do the Clumsies' actions impact the environment around them?
Why is teamwork important, and how did it help or hinder the Clumsies during their seaside escapade?
Can you think of a time when you helped solve a problem while working with others?
How would you have handled the situations the Clumsies faced differently?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage open dialogue by asking your child to elaborate on their answers, fostering deeper thinking. Relate the Clumsies' experiences to real-life situations your child may encounter, boosting their problem-solving skills. Draw parallels between the book's setting and any personal experiences with the seaside or teamwork to make the conversation more relatable. Lastly, emphasize the consequences of actions on the environment to instill a sense of responsibility.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In the story, the Clumsies must work together to clean up the mess they made at the seaside, demonstrating the importance of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities or projects at school, learning to cooperate and achieve common goals with their peers.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The characters in the book learn to take responsibility for their actions after seeing the consequences of their mess at the seaside.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of taking responsibility for their own messes or mistakes, whether at home or in school.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, the Clumsies face multiple challenges and must come up with solutions to avoid further chaos.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think critically and develop problem-solving skills which can be used to navigate challenges in their daily lives.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: The book illustrates the effects of littering on the seaside, teaching children to respect and preserve natural environments.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to practice environmental conservation by not littering and participating in cleanup activities in their communities.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The mess created by the Clumsies serves as a tangible example of how actions directly affect the environment and others around us.
Real-World Application: Children can grasp the concept that their actions have consequences, teaching them to consider the outcomes before acting in their daily interactions.