The Railway Kitten
Christmas Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
In 'The Railway Kitten,' a young kitten finds herself in a railway station far away from home and must navigate through various challenges while trying to find her way back. Along her journey, she encounters a variety of characters and learns important life lessons about friendship, courage, and perseverance. Every morning on her way to school, Scarlett sees Whiskers the kitten at the station. Whiskers is so sweet and always makes Scarlett smile! Then one day, the cat disappears.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-10
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the Railway Kitten felt when it ventured out on its own for the first time?
What can we learn about friendship from the interactions between the Railway Kitten and other characters?
Why do you think the author chose a railway station as the setting for this story?
What were some of the challenges the Railway Kitten faced and how did it overcome them?
If you were in the story, what advice would you give to the Railway Kitten?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive tones and pitches to bring the story and its characters to life during read-alouds.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask predictive questions, such as 'What do you think will happen next?'
Relate the Railway Kitten’s experiences to your child’s own experiences to foster deeper emotional connections.
Encourage your child to draw or act out their favorite scene, enhancing retention and understanding of the story.
After finishing the book, ask your child to summarize the story in their own words, promoting comprehension and verbal skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: In 'The Railway Kitten,' the protagonist kitten learns to understand and share the feelings of other characters, especially when encountering new animals and situations.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to consider the feelings of others, fostering a sense of empathy that aids in social interactions at school or in playgroups.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: Throughout the story, the kitten faces many unfamiliar and challenging situations which it overcomes with bravery, reflecting the theme of courage.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to face new experiences or challenges at school or home with a brave and positive attitude.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: The kitten develops numerous friendships throughout its adventures, teaching the values of friendship and cooperation.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the importance of building and maintaining friendships and collaborating effectively with peers.
Example Lesson: Curiosity
Explanation: The kitten's inquisitive nature leads it to explore new environments, demonstrating the benefits of curiosity.
Real-World Application: Curiosity can lead to learning and discovery in a child's life, encouraging them to explore new subjects in school or new hobbies.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: As the kitten faces various obstacles, it remains resilient, adapting to change and bouncing back from setbacks.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of resilience which will help them cope with changes or challenges in their own lives.