The Magic Pea
illustrations by
What’s inside...
The Magic Pea follows the enchanting journey of young Elsie who discovers a magical pea in her backyard. As she plants it, a sprawling vine grows, leading her into a mystical world filled with fantastical creatures and thrilling adventures. Anya, who dreams of becoming a vet like her mum, finds a magic pea that lets her talk to animals. This opens up a world of possibilities as she travels to help various animals with her newfound ability.
Age
6-10
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes the pea magic? Can you think of a time when something ordinary seemed magical to you?
How did the characters in the story change from the beginning to the end? What caused those changes?
If you had a magic pea, what would you wish for and why?
How do you think the story would be different if it took place in our town today?
What is the main message or lesson of 'The Magic Pea'? How can we apply it to our daily lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading: Vary your tone and pace to make the story more engaging. This helps children understand the emotional arc of the narrative.
Relate to personal experiences: After reading a passage, relate the events or characters to your child's own life. This not only deepens understanding but also enhances personal connection to the story.
Ask predictive questions: Periodically pause your reading to ask your child what they think will happen next. This encourages active participation and thought.
Draw connections to the real world: Discuss how the themes or lessons in the book apply to real-world scenarios. This reinforces the practical implications of the story.
Encourage creativity: After discussing the book’s themes, engage your child in a creative activity like drawing a scene from the book or imagining a different ending. This fosters deeper connection and comprehension.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: In 'The Magic Pea,' the protagonist's generous acts towards others eventually lead to magical support when they most need it.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to help and treat others well, understanding that kindness often yields rewards, even if not immediately apparent.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of challenges
Explanation: The main character faces numerous obstacles but continues to strive towards their goal, teaching resilience.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to persist in their endeavors, whether in school tasks or personal goals, despite difficulties.
Example Lesson: The value of creativity
Explanation: The Magic Pea uses creative solutions to solve problems encountered along the journey, showcasing the power of thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination and creativity to tackle tasks or challenges, promoting inventive thinking.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Throughout the book, the character collaborates with others, emphasizing that teamwork often leads to greater success.
Real-World Application: This lesson can teach children the importance of working with others and that cooperative efforts can often achieve more than working alone.
Example Lesson: The impact of positive attitudes
Explanation: The protagonist's optimistic outlook helps navigate through tough times, illustrating the benefits of a positive mindset.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of maintaining a positive attitude in adverse situations, which can aid in overcoming them more effectively.