The Gruffalo and Other Stories Treasury
Once/Now/Then/After Series
What’s inside...
A delightful compilation that brings together three cherished stories by Julia Donaldson, including the beloved classic 'The Gruffalo'. This treasury also includes a variety of activities and games to engage young readers and encourage interactive play.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
160 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the mouse was able to outsmart the Gruffalo?
What do you think the Gruffalo learned by the end of the story?
How did the different animals in the stories react to challenges?
If you could be friends with any character from the book, who would it be and why?
How do you think the story would change if the Gruffalo was friendly from the beginning?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the motives behind each character's actions and how they might feel in various situations.
Discuss the importance of cleverness and bravery as shown by the mouse, relating it to real-life situations your child might face.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings for the stories to foster creativity and problem-solving skills.
Link the emotions and scenarios in the book to your child’s personal experiences to deepen their understanding and empathy.
Utilize the illustrative content as a way to engage younger readers, asking them to describe what they see and how it relates to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and Resourcefulness
Explanation: In 'The Gruffalo', the mouse demonstrates courage and cleverness by outsmarting larger predators.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of thinking on their feet and facing challenges bravely, even when they feel small or frightened.
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: The tales often revolve around characters who work together or help each other, showing how valuable friends are in overcoming obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to value their friendships, foster cooperation, and understand how teamwork can solve problems.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Characters in these stories frequently encounter problems that they must solve through ingenuity and collaboration.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to approach real-life challenges with creativity and to seek help when needed.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The stories demonstrate the importance of understanding and respecting differences among characters, even if they appear strange or scary at first.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to empathize with others' perspectives and the importance of inclusivity in their everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Confidence in one's abilities
Explanation: Through adventures and challenges, characters learn to believe in their own skills and value.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to trust their capabilities and to approach new situations with confidence, knowing they are capable of success.