The Taming of Lola: A Shrew Story
Routledge Studies in Religion Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
Little Lola the shrew is known for her troublesome behavior and mean streak, causing tension within her family. The arrival of her cousin Lester, who is even meaner, leads to constant conflicts between the two. The book addresses themes of behavior and family dynamics, emphasizing the importance of respect towards others. It presents a meaningful message with warmth and charm. Another book explores the relationship between art and religion as evolved human behaviors. It integrates insights from ethology, anthropology, and cognitive science to propose a coherent definition of religion, avoiding Eurocentric biases and viewing art and religion as interconnected yet distinct behaviors. This innovative approach is valuable for scholars in various fields including Religion and the Arts, and Religious Anthropology.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Lola
Discussion points
What do you think made Lola act the way she did towards others?
How do you feel when you meet someone like Lola? Can you share a similar experience?
What changes did you notice in Lola by the end of the story?
Why is it important to treat others kindly, even if they are being difficult?
How do you think the other characters felt when Lola started being nicer?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, emphasize the importance of empathy by asking your child to imagine themselves in the shoes of other characters.
Encourage your child to share personal experiences that relate to the story, fostering a deeper connection with the themes.
Highlight Lola's transformations throughout the book and discuss the factors that might have influenced her behavior change to reinforce the concept of personal growth.
Promote an understanding of the consequences of actions by discussing how Lola’s behavior impacted the other characters and herself.
Use examples from the book to discuss the benefits of cooperation and friendliness in real-life situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness and understanding
Explanation: Lola, the young badger in the story, learns to consider others' feelings and be kind, especially when she faces the consequences of her own rude behavior.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by recognizing the impact of their words and actions on others, helping them develop empathy and improve their interactions with friends and family.
Example Lesson: The value of self-reflection
Explanation: Throughout the story, Lola reflects on her behavior and realizes how her actions were harmful. This self-awareness helps her make positive changes.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of self-assessment and encourages them to think about how they can improve their behavior to foster better relationships.
Example Lesson: The benefits of apologizing and making amends
Explanation: Lola learns to apologize genuinely and seek forgiveness, which helps repair her relationships with others in the story.
Real-World Application: Children learn that acknowledging their mistakes and making amends is crucial in healing relationships and building trust with others.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing challenges
Explanation: Lola faces various social challenges but learns to overcome them by changing her attitude and behavior, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson equips children with the ability to cope with difficulties in school or social settings, teaching them persistence and the ability to adapt.
Example Lesson: Learning through consequences
Explanation: As Lola experiences the consequences of her actions, she understands the importance of behaving well, which is crucial for her growth.
Real-World Application: This educates children on the cause and effect of their actions, promoting more thoughtful and considered behaviors in their daily lives.