The Onion's Great Escape
on Goodreads (58)
What’s inside...
Sara Fanelli's activity book, published by Phaidon Press, is designed for young readers ages 5-10. It engages children through thought-provoking questions and interactive activities that culminate in creating a three-dimensional character from the pages of the book. The readers are invited to help 'the onion' break free by completing these tasks, making it an immersive and creative experience.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
68 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the Onion wants to escape? What might it be feeling?
How does the book use different shapes and colors to tell the story?
What are some ways the Onion tries to solve its problem?
Can you think of a time when you wanted to change something in your life, like the Onion?
What does the story teach us about facing challenges and making decisions?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the Onion's journey, relating it to their own experiences of overcoming obstacles.
Discuss the use of visuals in the book, asking your child to describe how the illustrations enhance the story or influence their understanding of the Onion’s emotions.
Use the book as a tool to introduce the concept of empathy by asking your child to imagine themselves in the Onion's situation.
Highlight the creative problem-solving in the story, prompting your child to think about different ways they might handle difficult situations.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their version of the Onion or another character facing a challenge, further deepening their connection to the story’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Self-expression
Explanation: The book encourages children to write and draw in it, facilitating thoughts about personal feelings and fears.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of expressing themselves and discussing their emotions, which can help in managing stress and improving communication skills.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The story follows the onion as it tries to escape, showing children how to think critically and creatively about solutions.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply problem-solving skills in school projects or in resolving conflicts with peers, fostering resilience and independence.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: By interacting with the onion's fears, children explore emotions not just of themselves but of others, promoting empathy.
Real-World Application: This understanding of others' feelings can improve social interactions and build stronger relationships with friends and family.
Example Lesson: Courage and Determination
Explanation: The onion shows bravery in seeking freedom, which is a metaphor for breaking free from one’s own fears and limitations.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to face their fears and challenges boldly, be it trying new activities or standing up for what is right.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The interactive nature of the book allows children to engage directly by adding their drawings, fostering creative thinking.
Real-World Application: Enhanced creativity leads to better problem-solving in real-world situations and can inspire children to think outside the box in various aspects of life.