The Hostile Smile
What’s inside...
One Shoe Kangaroo is back with his magic belt buckle. He and Captain Frown Clown have given all across the land a chuckle. Now One Shoe Kangaroo longs for home. No longer does he want to roam. So he waves goodbye and sets off by following the sky. He makes it back to Leaping Laughs, hoping to see their wondrous crafts. But instead he finds the place is bare and he is dragged to an underground lair. There he learns Hypno Bee has escaped his cage and is back, filled with rage. Can One Shoe Kangaroo get his town back? Will Hypno Bee win in his all out attack? Hop on board to learn their fate and add another book from Pat Hatt to your plate.
Discussion points
What do you think the main character felt when they encountered the hostile smile?
Why is it important to understand other people's feelings from their expressions?
How would you react if you were in a similar situation as the protagonist?
What can we learn about kindness and empathy from this story?
Can you think of a time when you misinterpreted someone's expression and what did you learn from it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a warm and open tone to make your child feel comfortable discussing their feelings and thoughts.
Relate the discussion to your child’s personal experiences to make the conversation more relatable and meaningful.
Encourage your child to think critically about the characters' actions and their consequences.
Highlight the importance of empathy and understanding in everyday interactions.
Reassure your child that it's okay to have questions or feel confused about people's expressions and that it's a part of learning and growing.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding emotions
Explanation: In 'The Hostile Smile', characters often navigate complex feelings which helps illustrate the subtleties of emotional expressions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to interpret and respond to different emotional cues, fostering empathy and emotional intelligence in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Importance of communication
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters face consequences due to miscommunications, highlighting the importance of clear and open dialogue.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to express their thoughts and feelings effectively, helping them build healthier relationships.
Example Lesson: Resolving conflicts
Explanation: The story demonstrates constructive conflict resolution techniques when characters encounter misunderstandings or disagreements.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these strategies in school or with friends, promoting peaceful and cooperative play.
Example Lesson: Values of friendship
Explanation: Characters in the book overcome challenges through teamwork and support from friends, underscoring the value of strong friendships.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of supporting others and maintaining positive friendships in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: As characters face and overcome various adversities, they exhibit resilience and determination.
Real-World Application: Children learn to remain persistent and optimistic even in difficult situations, translating to better coping skills in real life.