The Sparkly Bun
What’s inside...
Join Emme as she navigates the tricky world of schoolyard fashion. Emme loves her clothes and accessories, but she especially loves one item in particular. When she wears it to school two days in a row, her friends start to tease her. Will Emme be able to learn the valuable lesson that being an individual is more important than fitting in with the crowd? With charming illustrations and a heartwarming story, 'The Sparkly Bun' is the perfect addition to any child's library. A captivating, adorable, and award-winning book that empowers kids ages 5-9 to embrace what is unique about themselves and others. Emme loves her sparkly bun and gets teased for wearing it too much, dressing identically to her classmates to fit in.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-6
Length
30 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What made the bun in the story feel sparkly?
How do you think the other characters felt when they saw the Sparkly Bun?
Can you think of a time when you felt special or 'sparkly' like the bun?
What would you do if you met someone who felt unimportant or not sparkly?
How can we help others feel sparkling and valued?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child to predict what 'sparkly' could mean in the context of a bun. Discuss their ideas and thoughts.
Encourage your child to describe their feelings and thoughts about the story with phrases like 'I noticed...' and 'I wonder...'.
Link the story to real-life experiences by discussing times when your child felt similar to the bun—whether sparkly or not—and how they reacted.
Use expressive read-aloud techniques to bring the story’s emotions to life, adjusting your tone and volume to match the narrative’s highs and lows.
After reading, engage in a creative activity like drawing their interpretation of a 'Sparkly Bun' or writing a short story about a day they felt particularly 'sparkly'.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of perseverance
Explanation: In 'The Sparkly Bun', the main character faces multiple challenges but continues to strive towards her goal, showing determination and resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of not giving up even when faced with difficulties, encouraging them to persist in their own goals and challenges.
Example Lesson: Creativity and self-expression
Explanation: The protagonist of the story uses her creativity to solve problems and express herself, making a unique sparkly bun that stands out.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to embrace their individuality and use creative thinking in daily life, whether in school projects or in personal hobbies.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of differences
Explanation: Throughout the book, different characters appreciate the uniqueness of the sparkly bun, promoting acceptance and appreciation of differences among peers.
Real-World Application: It encourages children to be open and accepting of differences in others, fostering a more inclusive environment at school and in social settings.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The story highlights instances where characters work together to help create the sparkly bun, showcasing the benefits of teamwork.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the importance of collaborating with others and how teamwork can lead to achieving great results.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: As obstacles arise, the characters think critically and develop solutions, emphasizing the skill of problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Children learn to apply critical thinking skills to navigate and resolve issues they encounter in their everyday life.