The Dog Who Danced on the Moon
What’s inside...
The Dog Who Danced on the Moon is a captivating tale of a young boy named Jeremy Grace and his extraordinary dog, Maxwell, who embark on a magical journey to the moon. Throughout their adventure, they encounter various challenges and meet new friends, learning valuable lessons about life, friendship, and the power of dreams. When faced with an incoming comet catastrophe, it takes bravery, daring, and a little bit of dancing to save the day. This heartwarming and inspirational read-aloud rhyming picture-book story encourages children to follow their dreams with a touch of magic.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the dog felt when he first landed on the moon?
What do you think motivated the dog to learn to dance on the moon?
How did the characters in the story help each other achieve their dreams?
What would you do if you had a chance to visit the moon?
How do you think the story would change if it was set on another planet?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the characters to life and keep your child engaged.
Ask your child to imagine and describe what the moon looks like and feels like, based on the descriptions in the book.
Encourage your child to talk about their dreams and ambitions, connecting them to the dog’s unique goal in the story.
After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene from the book which can help in visual memory retention.
Discuss the importance of persistence and learning new skills, drawing parallels to the dog’s journey in the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The protagonist, a young dog named Toby, faces numerous challenges in his journey to dance on the moon, but never gives up on his dream.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of persistence and determination in achieving their goals, whether it’s learning a new skill or completing a difficult task.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: Toby's unique ambition to dance on the moon demonstrates the power of creative thinking and dreaming big.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think outside the box and pursue unique interests, fostering individuality and self-expression.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout Toby's adventure, he collaborates with friends who help him build the rocket. This illustrates the importance of working together to accomplish a common goal.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cooperate with others, share responsibilities, and support their peers in group projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Despite setbacks, Toby adapts and perseveres, showing resilience.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to bounce back from disappointments and continue striving forward, an essential skill in school and life.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: Toby’s relationship with his supportive friends highlights the value of true friendship and mutual support.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of building and maintaining positive relationships, teaching them about empathy and trust.