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The Secret Explorers and the Lost Whales

#1 of 16 in The Secret Explorers Series

illustrations by
4.05
on Goodreads (380)

What’s inside...

The Secret Explorers and the Lost Whales is a thrilling installment in the Secret Explorers series, where a group of kid adventurers travel around the world to save endangered animals. In this adventure, the team dives into the ocean to find and rescue lost whales, encountering various challenges and using their knowledge to overcome them. Marine life expert Connor and space expert Roshni use their expertise to help a pod of humpback whales that have lost their way. They face unexpected problems, including lost baby whales and a fleet of boats, as they attempt to steer the whales back on track. The book is packed with fun illustrations, facts about humpback whales, marine life, and the impact of climate change on the oceans, making it an engaging and educational read for young readers.
Series reading

Non-Sequential

Age

6-8

Length

128 pages

Text complexity

Discussion points

What do you think motivated the Secret Explorers to go on their adventure to find the lost whales?
How do you think the explorers felt when they were trying to help the whales? Can you relate to any of their feelings?
What are some ways the team worked together to solve problems during their journey?
What did you learn about whales and their environment from this story?
If you were a Secret Explorer, what kind of mission would you like to embark on and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts by asking them how they would feel if they were in the characters’ shoes during various scenarios in the book.
Highlight the teamwork aspect of the story. Discuss with your child times when they have had to work with others to achieve a goal and how it felt.
After reading the book, explore more about whales or other marine life together. This can be through books, documentaries, or a visit to a marine center if possible.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book, and then describe why they chose that particular part of the story.
Create a fun quiz for your child based on the book, mixing in fact-based questions about whales and character-driven questions about the explorers.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: The Secret Explorers work together to solve the mystery of the lost whales, demonstrating how collaboration can achieve goals that might be unattainable individually.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of working with others to reach a common goal, which is applicable in school projects and team sports.
Example Lesson: Environmental Awareness
Explanation: The book emphasizes the importance of caring for marine life and understanding human impact on the environment.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be mindful of their environment and promotes activities such as recycling and conservation efforts at home and school.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving Skills
Explanation: Throughout their adventure, the explorers face various challenges that they overcome through critical thinking and reasoning.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to approach problems in their everyday life with patience and logical thinking, enhancing their decision-making skills.
Example Lesson: Courage and Bravery
Explanation: The characters often brave dangerous situations to help the whales, showcasing bravery in the face of adversity.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of courage when confronting challenges and the importance of helping others despite fear.
Example Lesson: Respect for Wildlife
Explanation: The story teaches children to respect animals and their habitats, highlighting the beauty and significance of marine life.
Real-World Application: This can lead to respectful interactions with animals in the real world and a lifelong passion for animal welfare.

The Secret Explorers and the Lost Whales by D.K. Publishing, SJ King, S.J. King