The Show-Off Mouse
#6 in Gumdrop Series
on Goodreads (3)
What’s inside...
Mouse knows that he is clever, so he sets off to show all the other animals just how talented he is. Frog and Squirrel and the rest are very impressed. But what happens when Mouse wanders off just a little too far?
Discussion points
How did the mouse feel when he was showing off, and how did his feelings change by the end of the story?
What do you think the other animals thought about the mouse's behavior?
Why do you think the mouse decided to show off? What could he have done differently?
Have you ever felt like the mouse, wanting to show off? What happened?
What did you learn from the story about friendship and being yourself?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking how your child would feel in the mouse’s shoes.
Discuss personal experiences where showing off played a role, and what lessons were learned.
Highlight the importance of humility and being true to oneself.
Use expressive reading to emphasize the emotions of the characters, making it easier for your child to understand their feelings.
After reading, engage in a creative activity, like drawing scenes where the mouse learns valuable lessons, to reinforce the story’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of humility
Explanation: In 'The Show-Off Mouse', the protagonist learns that constantly boasting can lead to isolation from friends, who feel overshadowed and unappreciated.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the value of being humble and acknowledging others' talents and contributions, fostering better relationships.
Example Lesson: Consequences of reckless behavior
Explanation: The mouse's continuous show-off antics eventually lead to dangerous situations, illustrating that reckless behavior can have serious consequences.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to think about the consequences of their actions and to behave responsibly to ensure their own safety and the well-being of those around them.
Example Lesson: Value of teamwork
Explanation: As the story progresses, the mouse realizes that working with others achieves more than trying to outshine them, highlighting the benefits of cooperation and teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to collaborate effectively, understanding that collective efforts often yield better results than individual endeavors.
Example Lesson: Accepting and learning from failure
Explanation: When the mouse's efforts to impress go wrong, it presents an opportunity for the character to learn from mistakes and grow, showing that failure is a part of learning.
Real-World Application: This can help children see their own setbacks as learning opportunities, encouraging resilience and a growth mindset.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Through interactions with other characters, the show-off mouse begins to understand the feelings of others when he overshadows them, teaching empathy.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to consider the feelings of others before acting, fostering empathy and more thoughtful interactions with peers.