The Guardian Team: On the Job With Rena and Roo
on Goodreads (44)
What’s inside...
Shepherds have used dogs to protect livestock for thousands of years. But burros also have a natural instinct to protect, which makes them a perfect guardian animals as well. Meet Rena and Roo, a super dog-and-burro guardian team at work on a sheep ranch in Wyoming. The animals have a close connection with the sheep they protect, but it takes time and effort for Rena and Roo to grow to trust one another. In this companion book to her award-winning Brave Dogs, Gentle Dogs, Cat Urbigkit uses simple, informative text and eye-catching photographs to show how Rena and Roo develop into guardian animals.
Discussion points
How do Rena and Roo show teamwork while doing their jobs? How can we apply teamwork in our daily activities?
What are some of the challenges Rena and Roo face as guardian dogs, and how do they overcome these challenges?
What qualities make Rena and Roo good at their jobs? Do you think these qualities are important in our lives too?
Why do you think the author chose to tell this story about Rena and Roo? What can we learn from it?
If you were a guardian like Rena and Roo, what would you do to protect your 'flock'? How would you handle fear or danger?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on the notion of responsibility and protection by relating it to their personal experiences, such as taking care of a pet or a younger sibling.
Discuss the significance of teamwork, and share personal stories where working with others helped you achieve better results.
Ask your child to think about what qualities they admire in Rena and Roo and encourage them to think about how they can develop similar traits.
Prompt your child to consider why stories like these are important and what emotions they felt while reading about the characters’ adventures.
Create a fun activity by imagining together what kind of adventures they could have if they were part of a guardian team, encouraging creative thinking and problem-solving.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The story showcases Rena, the livestock guardian dog, taking care of the sheep, demonstrating the importance of being responsible for those in her care.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to take care of their belongings or pets, understanding the value of being responsible for others’ welfare.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Rena works closely with Roo, exemplifying how teamwork can achieve common goals, such as protecting the livestock.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to collaborate with siblings or classmates in tasks or projects, highlighting how teamwork can lead to successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: The book portrays Rena and Roo facing various challenges bravely, instilling a sense of courage.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to face their own fears and challenges, be it trying something new or standing up for what is right.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: By caring for the sheep, Rena shows empathy towards another species, which is a crucial emotional skill.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice showing empathy towards their friends and family, understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
Example Lesson: Diligence
Explanation: Rena consistently fulfills her duties, illustrating the importance of diligence and hard work.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to be diligent in their studies and chores, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and effort in achieving goals.