The Five Forms
on Goodreads (241)
What’s inside...
When a young girl finds a discarded book of martial arts poses, she ignores the warning not to attempt the forms without a teacher. She practices the poses, only to conjure real animals into her home, including a leopard, a snake, and a dragon. As the chaos escalates with each creature, she finally manages the fifth form and things return to normal. Meanwhile, she must clean up the mess before her mother comes home. Vibrant watercolor illustrations by Barbara McClintock enrich this fictionalized exploration of China’s ancient Five Forms.
Age
4-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Unnamed Girl
Discussion points
What did you think about the different animal forms in the story? Which one was your favorite and why?
How do you think the character felt when they transformed into each animal?
What lessons do you think we can learn from how the characters interacted with each other?
If you could create a new form, what animal would you choose and what abilities would it have?
Tip: Role play these questions
As your child answers the questions, show enthusiasm and interest in their thoughts to encourage them to express themselves freely.
Relate their favorite animal form to their personal experiences or feelings to deepen the connection with the character.
Discuss the moral or lesson of the story to reinforce values like empathy, creativity, or courage.
Encourage your child to imagine and describe their own magical form, fostering creativity and engagement with the book’s theme.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of responsibility
Explanation: In 'The Five Forms', a child unwittingly unleashes chaos by not following instructions while practicing mystical martial arts forms. This illustrates the consequences of not taking responsibility seriously.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by following rules and instructions carefully at home, in school, or during activities to avoid unnecessary trouble and learn the importance of being responsible.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: The protagonist faces the task of reversing the havoc caused by their actions. Their persistence in resolving these challenges underscores the value of resilience.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to persevere through difficulties whether solving a tough academic problem or resolving a friendship issue, emphasizing that steadfastness can lead to overcoming obstacles.
Example Lesson: Respect for diverse cultures
Explanation: The story integrates elements from different cultures through the martial arts forms, highlighting the beauty and depth of these traditions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect cultural diversity which can enhance their social interactions and broaden their understanding of the world around them.
Example Lesson: The consequences of curiosity
Explanation: The child's initial curiosity about the martial arts forms leads to unexpected results. This aspect of the story serves as a nuanced lesson on the potential outcomes of curiosity.
Real-World Application: This can help children gauge their actions based on curiosity, learning when it is beneficial to explore and when it might be wise to seek guidance first.