The Octonauts and The Growing Goldfish
Octonauts Series
on Goodreads (152)
What’s inside...
In 'The Octonauts and The Growing Goldfish', the Octonauts meet Dunkie, a goldfish that can't stop growing. The team embarks on a mission to figure out the cause of Dunkie's sudden growth spurt and discover a prehistoric, deep-sea world in the process. They must find a way to restore Dunkie to normal size while learning about environmental care. This action-packed underwater adventure combines elements of 'The Ugly Duckling' and 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth', delighting fans of the Octonauts series.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-5
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Captain Barnacles Bear
The Growing Goldfish
Peso Penguin
Kwazii Cat
Discussion points
Why do you think the goldfish kept growing? What does this tell us about taking care of animals?
How did the Octonauts work together to solve the problem? Can you think of a time when you worked with others to solve a problem?
What would you have done if you were an Octonaut and met the growing goldfish?
How do the Octonauts show kindness to the creatures in the sea? Why is kindness important?
Tip: Role play these questions
Invite your child to imagine and describe their own underwater adventure. Encourage them to think about the creatures they would meet and the challenges they might face.
Discuss the importance of teamwork as exhibited by the Octonauts, relating it to your child’s daily experiences with friends or in school.
While reading, pause at key moments to ask your child how they think a character feels or what they might do next, fostering empathy and prediction skills.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. This can lead to a discussion about the story’s themes and character traits.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'The Octonauts and The Growing Goldfish', the characters take on the task of helping a goldfish that keeps growing. Children see the importance of taking care of others and the responsibilities that come along with it.
Real-World Application: Children learn that being responsible means looking after those who depend on them, whether it's a pet, a plant, or a younger sibling.
Example Lesson: Problem solving
Explanation: The Octonauts face the challenge of finding a new home for the giant goldfish. Throughout the story, they use teamwork and creativity to solve the problem.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of using critical thinking and creativity to overcome obstacles and challenges they may face in everyday life.
Example Lesson: Empathy and kindness
Explanation: As the Octonauts care for the goldfish, they demonstrate empathy by considering the needs of the goldfish and ensuring it's happy in its new environment.
Real-World Application: It reinforces the value of being considerate and kind towards others' feelings and needs, teaching children to empathize with friends and classmates.
Example Lesson: Adaptability
Explanation: The Octonauts must adapt to the unexpected situation of the goldfish’s continuous growth. They demonstrate flexibility and readiness to tackle unexpected changes.
Real-World Application: This lesson prepares children to be adaptable in dynamic situations, whether it’s adjusting to a new school, new family dynamics, or other social settings.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The success of finding a new home for the goldfish is a result of the collective effort of all the Octonauts, highlighting the power of working together.
Real-World Application: Promotes the importance of cooperation and collaboration, helping children understand the value of participating and contributing in group activities at school or in sports.