The King's Snack
2020 by
What’s inside...
The King's Snack follows the story of a young squirrel on an adventurous quest to find a special snack for his king. He explores vibrant forests and encounters various creatures along the way. Red Squirrel Phonics is a new decodable reader series from Raintree that helps children learn phonics skills through real stories using words they can read. In this Level 4 book, Sam, dressed as a king, has servants bringing him snacks, but he is not satisfied with any of them.
Why read this book
- Engages kids with a fun, adventurous narrative.
- Teaches values through relatable, vivid characters.
- Encourages problem-solving and creative thinking.
- Ideal for interactive parent-child reading sessions.
The Big Picture
- Simple yet profound lesson on sharing
- Encourages empathy and kindness
- Great for discussing real-life generosity
- Promotes emotional intelligence development
Diversity & Representation
- Introduces culturally diverse characters and settings.
- Promotes themes of inclusivity and cultural understanding.
- Features a variety of global cuisines and traditions.
Age
5-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
intermediate
Character Compass
Discussion points
Why do you think the King wanted that particular snack?
How do you think the other characters felt about the King’s choice?
What would you have done if you were one of the characters in the book?
Can you think of a time when you wanted something similar to the King? How did you handle it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by reading the story with enthusiasm to capture your child’s attention. Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences. Use the questions as a guide to delve deeper into the themes of the book, such as decision-making and empathy. Remind your child that there are no right or wrong answers in these discussions, fostering an open and nurturing conversation environment.
What parents love
Great for sparking conversations
Encourages decision-making skills
Colorful pages keep kids engaged
Teachable moments in every chapter
Key Lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of sharing
Explanation: In 'The King's Snack', the king learns to share his snacks with his guests, which leads to a more joyful and communal atmosphere at the gathering.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by sharing their toys or snacks with their peers, fostering a sense of community and friendship.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences
Explanation: The story demonstrates that the king's initial refusal to share leads to loneliness and sadness, teaching the king about the consequences of his actions.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children grasp that their actions have effects on themselves and others, encouraging them to make considerate choices.
Example Lesson: Empathy and kindness
Explanation: As the king observes his guests' disappointment, he begins to understand and empathize with their feelings, which prompts him to change his behavior.
Real-World Application: Children learn to recognize and respect the feelings of others, which is crucial in developing empathy and kindness in a variety of social settings.
Example Lesson: The joy of generosity
Explanation: By the end of the book, the king experiences the happiness that comes from generosity when he sees the delight on his guests' faces after sharing his snack.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be generous and selfless, showing them that sharing can bring joy not only to others but also to themselves.