The Ghastly McNastys: The Lost Treasure of Little Snoring
#1 in The Ghastly McNastys Series
What’s inside...
The McNasty pirate twins, Captain Gruesome and his brother, Captain Grisly, are determined to get their grubby hands on the treasure buried in the sleepy seaside village of Little Snoring. But the McNastys discover that two clever young friends, Tat and Hetty, are equally determined to find the treasure, and soon they are all embroiled in a rollicking test of wits to see which pair will prevail. Faced with the excessive mucus running from the nose of the pirates' second mate, Mrs. Slime; the Big, Scary, Very Dark, Dense Forest Where No One In Their Right Mind Would Want To Go and a walk on the plank of the pirate ship The Rotten Apple, do the children stand a chance? With its over-the-top pirate antics and nonstop gross-out humor, this hysterical chapter book from author Lyn Gardner hits the spot for early readers. The funny artwork from award-winning illustrator Ros Asquith offers frequent witty asides and visual gags, and will be a draw for reluctant readers. Central to the story's appeal is Tat, the highly relatable boy hero who struggles with his schoolwork (and his teacher) but proves to everyone he excels at many important real-life skills. This book is sure to be hugely popular with youngsters, particularly boys, looking for a great story for classroom free-reading periods. It also works well for lessons on humor in storytelling.
Discussion points
What would you do if you found a treasure map? How would you plan your adventure?
How did the characters in the book work together to overcome challenges? Can you think of a time when you had to work with others to solve a problem?
The Ghastly McNastys are quite sneaky! What do you think makes them that way? Do you think they could have chosen to act differently?
What part of the treasure hunt seemed the most exciting to you? Why?
How do you think the story would change if it was set in our town? What landmarks would make good hiding spots for treasure?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story, asking them what role they would play and why.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and problem solving, relating it to everyday activities and challenges your child might face.
Ask your child to describe how they felt about the actions and decisions of characters, fostering empathy and critical thinking.
Connect themes from the book to real-world scenarios, enhancing comprehension and relevance.
Celebrate creative thinking by brainstorming with your child what they would hide in a treasure chest and where they would hide it.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: The main characters work together to solve the mystery of the lost treasure, demonstrating the importance of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning to share responsibilities and work together towards common goals.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters face challenges that require them to think critically and devise solutions.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be resourceful and apply logical thinking to overcome obstacles in their daily lives, such as tackling difficult homework or resolving conflicts with peers.
Example Lesson: Courage and Bravery
Explanation: The young protagonists show courage when facing the mischievous McNastys, teaching readers about overcoming fear.
Real-World Application: Children learn to face their own fears and stand up for themselves, whether it’s trying new activities, standing up to bullies, or speaking out in class.
Example Lesson: Importance of History and Culture
Explanation: The quest for the lost treasure introduces elements of history and culture embedded in the story, highlighting the significance of past events.
Real-World Application: This can spark interest in children to explore and respect different cultures and historical contexts, enhancing their social studies learning and global awareness.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The fantastical elements and adventurous plot encourage children to use their imagination.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps in nurturing creativity, allowing children to invent their own stories or find creative solutions in play and everyday tasks.