The Lonely Beast
Spirit Animals Series
What’s inside...
The Lonely Beast is a children's book by Chris Judge that tells the story of a Beast who, despite living in a world filled with many other Beasts, feels incredibly lonely. He embarks on a grand adventure, traversing mountains, forests, and seas in search of others like him. Along the way, he encounters various challenges and makes new friends. Despite the excitement of his journey, he realizes that what he truly desires is companionship. The story concludes with the Beast finding fulfillment not by finding more of his kind, but by building meaningful relationships with the diverse creatures he meets. The book is celebrated for its themes of friendship, acceptance, and the understanding that sometimes family can be found in the most unexpected places.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the Beast felt when he was all alone? Can you describe a time you felt the same way?
What do you think makes someone a friend? How did the Beast find his friends?
Why do you think people were scared of the Beast at first? What changed their minds?
Can you think of a way to make someone who is lonely feel better?
What was your favorite part of the Beast's adventure and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Validate your child's feelings and experiences by sharing your own stories of feeling lonely or making friends.
Encourage empathy by asking your child to think about how the Beast and other characters might be feeling at different points in the story.
Ask follow-up questions to your child’s responses to encourage deeper thinking and connection to the story.
Connect the story to real-life situations by discussing times when your child met someone new or helped someone who was lonely.
Praise your child for thoughtful answers and insights, reinforcing their engagement and boosting their confidence in expressing their thoughts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Acceptance of differences
Explanation: The Lonely Beast illustrates how the beast, despite being different from others around, is embraced for who he is.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and respect individual differences among their peers and in their community.
Example Lesson: Perseverance and courage
Explanation: Throughout his journey, the Beast faces various challenges yet continues to persevere, demonstrating courage.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to persist in the face of difficulties, whether it's tackling a hard task at school or resolving conflicts with friends.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: The story highlights the loneliness of the Beast and his joy upon making friends, underscoring the importance of companionship.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the significance of building and maintaining friendships and being a good friend to others.
Example Lesson: Self-acceptance
Explanation: The Beast learns to accept and love himself as he is, which is a powerful message for self-esteem.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to embrace their unique qualities and be confident in themselves regardless of external judgments.