The Flying Island
on Goodreads (5)
What’s inside...
What happens when all the world's islands start to fly, seemingly of their own accord? Chaos for the politicians and world leaders, but great fun for the children. When a tropical island lands on a field in the sleepy Devon village of Dunsford, Lucy and Toby Middleton embark on a series of extraordinary adventures that take them to the Mediterranean, San Francisco, the Pacific Ocean, and eventually London, where they are able to help the world leaders solve the immense crisis that the flying islands have caused.
Age
7-12
Length
109 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think life would be like on a flying island?
How do you believe the characters felt when they first discovered the island in the sky?
If you could take one thing from our world to the flying island, what would it be and why?
What lessons can we learn about friendship and bravery from the characters?
How would you help a friend who was afraid of flying like some characters in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine and describe their own version of a flying island, fostering creativity and personal connection to the story.
Discuss the emotions of the characters at different points in the story to help your child develop empathy and understanding of diverse feelings.
Connect the story to real-life scenarios by asking your child how they would use the lessons from the book to handle similar situations.
After reading, engage your child in a drawing activity where they can create scenes or characters from the book, enhancing their recall and interpretation skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In 'The Flying Island,' the characters must work together to navigate the challenges of the island, showcasing the importance of teamwork to achieve common goals.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of cooperating with others, whether in group projects at school or during playtime, fostering a spirit of community and mutual support.
Example Lesson: Courage and Facing Fears
Explanation: The protagonist confronts various fears while exploring the island, teaching children that bravery isn’t about the absence of fear, but the ability to push forward despite it.
Real-World Application: This encourages kids to take on new challenges, whether trying out for a sports team or speaking in front of their class, promoting resilience and self-confidence.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving and Creativity
Explanation: Challenges on the island require creative solutions, illustrating how thinking outside the box can resolve difficult situations.
Real-World Application: Children learn that creative thinking can be applied to solving everyday problems, from resolving conflicts with peers to overcoming obstacles in their academic work.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and Leadership
Explanation: As characters take on leadership roles, they learn the responsibilities that accompany leading others, highlighting the importance of making thoughtful decisions.
Real-World Application: Kids understand the impact of responsible leadership and are encouraged to take initiative in leading group activities or helping out at home.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: The story’s island setting emphasizes the beauty and fragility of natural environments, urging preservation and respect.
Real-World Application: Children are prompted to engage in environmentally friendly practices such as recycling or participating in local clean-up events, fostering an early appreciation and care for the environment.