The Mischievians
on Goodreads (680)
What’s inside...
Where’s my homework? Who took my other sock? What’s that in my belly button? The creators of the #1 New York Times bestselling and Academy Award–winning The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore have found the answers to these and other life mysteries…and no, it’s not your fault! Strange smells. Disappearing remotes. That itch you just can’t reach. It’s not your fault! It’s the Mischievians, an ancient race of global mischief-makers who do all the things that embarrass you. All the things that bug you. All the things that YOU get blamed for! There is no cause for alarm (sorta). Come meet the Homework Eater, the fiend who steals your homework! See the Endroller, the villain who uses up ALL the toilet paper! Discover the Yawn Mower, the creature who makes you yawn at the worst possible time! And many, many more. Read on, and be free.
Age
5-8
Length
56 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Dr. Wilfred Wigglebug
Discussion points
What do you think the Mischievians do when they're not causing mischief?
How would you solve a problem if a Mischievian was causing it?
Can you imagine a world where Mischievians and humans are friends? What would that look like?
Which Mischievian was your favorite and why?
If you could create your own Mischievian, what mischief would it make?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think creatively by asking them to draw or describe their own Mischievian character.
Discuss the concept of 'mischief' and relate it to real-life scenarios where understanding and patience are important when things don't go as planned.
Use the Mischievians' antics as a fun opportunity to teach problem-solving skills by asking your child how they would deal with various mischievous situations.
Reinforce the theme of the book by celebrating your child's clever responses and imaginative solutions during your discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Curiosity and critical thinking
Explanation: The story revolves around mysterious creatures called the Mischievians, responsible for life's little mysteries. This naturally engages children in a quest to find explanations for everyday conundrums, fostering curiosity and critical thinking.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these skills at school or in their daily interactions by questioning how things work and actively seeking solutions or answers to their queries.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: As characters in the book tackle the puzzles crafted by the Mischievians, they demonstrate key problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children learn to address puzzles and obstacles in their own lives, whether it’s figuring out a difficult math question or resolving a disagreement with a friend.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The characters learn to take responsibility for managing the chaos caused by the Mischievians instead of blaming others.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to own up to their responsibilities, be it in their chores, homework, or in their actions towards others.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The characters often come together to solve Mischievian-created problems, highlighting the importance of working collaboratively.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of cooperating with others to achieve common goals, an essential skill for group activities and projects in school.