The Enormous Potato
What’s inside...
The Enormous Potato' by Damian Harvey is a retelling of a classic folk tale, illustrated by energetic drawings. It tells the story of a farmer who plants a potato that becomes enormous. When harvest time arrives, the potato is so large that the farmer alone cannot pull it out. He seeks help from his wife, daughter, a dog, a cat, and a mouse. Despite the difficulty, the chain of helpers grows and they collectively succeed in extracting the giant potato. The story highlights the themes of teamwork, persistence, and community as everyone works together towards a common goal.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the potato grow so big?
How did the characters work together to pull out the potato?
What would you have done if you were a part of the story?
How do you think the characters felt when they saw the enormous potato?
What lesson can we learn from the way the characters cooperated?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child to predict what the book might be about just by looking at the cover.
Encourage your child to think about the importance of teamwork by discussing how the characters in the book worked together.
Use different voices for different characters to make the storytelling more engaging and entertaining for your child.
After reading, connect the story to real-life situations by asking your child about times they had to cooperate with others to achieve a common goal.
Highlight the problem-solving aspect of the story and ask your child how they might solve similar challenges.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In 'The Enormous Potato', a community comes together to pull a giant potato out of the ground, illustrating how cooperation can achieve a common goal.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of working together, whether it be on school projects or in family activities, fostering a spirit of collaboration.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The characters in the book keep trying different methods and enlist more help to pull out the potato, showcasing the value of not giving up despite obstacles.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of persistence in overcoming challenges, be it in learning new skills or solving problems.
Example Lesson: Sharing and Generosity
Explanation: After successfully harvesting the enormous potato, the characters share it among themselves, emphasizing the joy and importance of sharing.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to share with others, which can lead to positive social interactions and friendships.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The book presents a problem (a large potato that is difficult to harvest) and the characters must come up with a solution, demonstrating critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to think critically about problems they encounter and understand that there are multiple ways to approach a solution.
Example Lesson: Appreciation for Agriculture
Explanation: The story centers around the growth and harvest of a potato, providing children with knowledge and appreciation for farming and agriculture.
Real-World Application: This can lead to an interest in where their food comes from and the importance of agriculture in everyday life.