The Pup Who Cried Wolf (Animal Tales)
Animal Stories Series
What’s inside...
Lobo, a Chihuahua from New York City who feels he is truly a wolf in an undersized body, goes to Yellowstone National Park with his mistress and dreams of running wild with his wolf brothers. With the help of his quirky family, a Spanish-speaking parrot named Glory and a wisecracking white rat named Heckles, Lobo finally slips his leash and gets a chance to run with the wolves. But he soon discovers that the wild may not be where a feisty little five-pound pup truly belongs.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
144 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Waldo learned about friendship by the end of the story?
How do you think the other animals felt when Waldo kept playing tricks on them?
Why is it important to tell the truth?
How would you help a friend who made a mistake like Waldo did?
What would you do if you were in Waldo's place and no one believed you?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child how they felt about the story to gauge their understanding and emotional reaction.
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences, particularly focusing on themes of truth-telling and trust.
Discuss the consequences of Waldo's actions and ask your child to think about different ways the story could have ended.
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the storytelling more engaging and help differentiate between the characters' perspectives.
At the end of the discussion, emphasize the importance of honesty and how it helps in building strong relationships.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Honesty and the consequences of lying
Explanation: The central theme revolves around a young pup who repeatedly tricks others by lying, learning a tough lesson when he genuinely needs help and no one believes him.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of truthfulness and trust in relationships. Teaching them that lying can lead to loss of trust and credibility, which are crucial in real-life interactions.
Example Lesson: Bravery and facing fears
Explanation: Despite being small and fearful, the protagonist musters the courage to face genuine dangers, embodying bravery.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to confront their own fears and demonstrates that courage isn't about being fearless, but about acting despite fear, which is applicable in scenarios like trying new activities or standing up for themselves.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and accountability
Explanation: The pup learns to take responsibility for his actions and their consequences throughout the story.
Real-World Application: Kids are taught the value of owning up to their actions and understanding that their choices have impacts, fostering a sense of responsibility needed in everyday tasks and decisions.
Example Lesson: Understanding and empathy
Explanation: As the pup experiences the effects of his lies on his friends, he gains a deeper understanding and empathy towards others.
Real-World Application: This lesson aids in social development by encouraging children to consider others' feelings and perspectives, which is essential in building strong, empathetic interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: The power of redemption
Explanation: After realizing his mistakes, the pup seeks redemption by proving his sincerity, showing that it's never too late to correct one's missteps.
Real-World Application: This teaches children about the possibility of making amends and the importance of second chances in life, encouraging them to always strive for improvement.