The Girl, the Bear and the Magic Shoes
What’s inside...
The Girl, the Bear and the Magic Shoes is a children's book by Julia Donaldson that tells the story of a young girl named Josephine who purchases a pair of magical shoes. These shoes take her on an incredible adventure where she meets a bear who becomes her companion. Together, they encounter various challenges and obstacles, including a wicked wizard who is after the shoes' magic. Throughout their journey, the shoes reveal different abilities to help them along the way. The story is filled with themes of friendship, bravery, and the wonder of discovery as Josephine and the bear work together to outwit the wizard and protect the magic of the shoes. It's a tale that celebrates the power of imagination and the joy of a good adventure.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What would you do if you had a pair of magic shoes like Josephine?
How do you think the bear felt when he met Josephine?
Why is it important to help others, like Josephine helped the bear?
What was your favorite part of the adventure and why?
If you could add another magical creature in the story, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Create a comfortable and distraction-free reading space to make the reading session enjoyable and engaging.
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the story more vivid and enhance the child's listening experience.
Encourage your child to imagine having their own pair of magic shoes, asking them where they would go and what adventures they would have.
After reading, connect themes from the book to real-life situations to help the child understand the moral lessons better.
Praise your child's responses and thoughts to boost their confidence in expressing their opinions and ideas.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and Facing Fear
Explanation: In the story, the girl demonstrates bravery as she explores new territories with her magic shoes, despite facing unknown challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace new experiences and face their fears, whether it's trying a new activity or making new friends.
Example Lesson: Friendship and Teamwork
Explanation: The girl and the bear work together to overcome obstacles, showing the power of collaboration and support.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to value teamwork and understand that cooperating with others can lead to successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The protagonist uses her magic shoes to navigate various challenges, demonstrating critical thinking and quick decision-making.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to think creatively and apply problem-solving skills in their day-to-day challenges.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Despite encountering setbacks, the girl remains determined and keeps pushing forward throughout her journey.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of persistence and resilience in achieving goals, regardless of difficulties.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: The magic shoes ignite the girl’s curiosity, leading her to explore new paths and learn from her adventures.
Real-World Application: This lesson can motivate children to be curious, explore their surroundings, and learn from their experiences.