The Mystery of the Haunted Farm
on Goodreads (171)
What’s inside...
Strange and spooky things are happening down on the farm, and Farmer Greg knows exactly who to call — Ghost-hunters! A specialist team of three little ghost-hunting pigs equipped with the latest gadgets seem to be the perfect guys for the job. There’s certainly something suspicious about the mysterious chicken coop up on the hill, but when the Phantom Finder 5000 fails to recognize any paranormal activity, the pigs realize that perhaps all is not quite as it seems.
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Farmer Greg
Chicken
Discussion points
What do you think is the scariest part of the Haunted Farm and why?
How do you think the animals felt when they discovered the mystery? Can you relate to any of their feelings?
If you were at the Haunted Farm, what would you do to solve the mystery?
What was the most surprising part of the story for you?
If you could ask the author one question about the book, what would it be?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine different outcomes and discuss alternative endings to the story. This helps enhance creative thinking.
Relate the story to your child’s experiences by asking if they have ever felt the same way as any of the characters and what they did in that situation.
Discuss the problem-solving techniques used in the book and ask your child how they might approach the same problems.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene from the book. This helps them connect visually and emotionally with the story.
Use dramatic voices for different characters to make the reading more engaging and help differentiate the characters for your child.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: In 'The Mystery of the Haunted Farm', the farm animals work together to solve the peculiar occurrences happening around them. Through teamwork and logical thinking, they uncover the truth behind the so-called ghostly events.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these problem-solving skills in everyday scenarios such as working out disagreements with friends or figuring out solutions to puzzles and challenges in school.
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of fear
Explanation: The characters in the book confront mysterious and potentially scary situations. Instead of running away, they bravely explore and investigate to find explanations.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to face their own fears, be it trying out new activities, or addressing things that scare them, knowing that often fear can be mitigated by understanding the situation better.
Example Lesson: The value of curiosity
Explanation: The farm animals' natural curiosity drives them to investigate the strange occurrences rather than just ignoring them. Their inquisitiveness leads to problem-solving and discovering the truth.
Real-World Application: Fostering curiosity can lead children to become lifelong learners, always eager to understand more about their world and the mechanics behind how things work.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: The farm animals need to collaborate and leverage each other's strengths to solve the mystery, showing how teamwork can accomplish what might not be possible alone.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be mirrored in children's interactions at school during group projects or in sports, highlighting how collaborative efforts can lead to greater success.