The Littlest Voyageur
What’s inside...
A red squirrel named Jean Pierre Petit Le Rouge stows away on a canoe in 1792 to fulfill his dream of joining a group of voyageurs traveling from Montreal to Grand Portage. Despite not contributing to the paddling, cooking, or portaging, Le Rouge is full of excitement and enthusiasm. Upon arriving at the trading post, he is shocked to learn that the voyageurs are collecting beaver pelts. With the help of a flying squirrel named Monique, Le Rouge organizes the forest animals to convince the voyageurs to stop their trade. The book, written by a Newbery honor author, includes over 20 black-and-white illustrations and was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
176 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Jean Pierre felt when he joined the voyageurs on their journey?
What qualities do you think make a good leader, like Jean Pierre?
Why do you think teamwork was important for the voyageurs?
What would you pack for a long journey like Jean Pierre's?
How do you think the animals felt about Jean Pierre joining them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about Jean Pierre’s adventures to foster empathy and understanding.
Discuss the significance of teamwork and leadership shown in the book to emphasize social skills and cooperation.
Relate the story's events to your child's own experiences of trying new activities or embarking on trips to make the conversation more relatable.
Ask your child how they would feel in Jean Pierre’s shoes to deepen their connection with the character.
Highlight the importance of respecting nature and animals, as shown in the story, to instill values of environmental stewardship.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In the story, Jean Pierre, the red squirrel, experiences teamwork as he joins a group of voyageurs on a journey. Throughout their expedition, they must work together to navigate and overcome various challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to collaborate with others, sharing responsibilities and combining strengths to achieve common goals, whether in school projects or playing sports.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Throughout the adventure, Jean Pierre faces numerous obstacles but learns to persist and adapt. His resilience helps him navigate through tough situations.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the value of perseverance when encountering difficulties in their own lives, such as learning a new skill or resolving conflicts with peers.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature and its inhabitants
Explanation: The narrative highlights the rich natural landscapes and emphasizes the need to respect and coexist with the environment and wildlife encountered by Jean Pierre and the voyageurs.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to explore and appreciate the natural world responsibly, understanding the importance of conservation and the role they play in preserving nature.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and exploration
Explanation: Jean Pierre's journey is fueled by his curiosity about the world beyond his forest. His explorative spirit leads to new experiences and growth.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be inquisitive about the world around them, inspiring them to learn and discover through books, experiments, or exploring new environments.
Example Lesson: Understanding diverse cultures
Explanation: The book introduces children to the historical context of the French-Canadian voyageurs, enhancing their understanding of different cultural backgrounds.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect cultural diversity, helping them to be more empathetic and knowledgeable about the world's varied communities.