The Toucan Brothers
What’s inside...
In Tapton, the Toucan brothers Sammy and Paul are the go-to plumbers everyone relies on. However, when a new plumber named Flash Rover arrives in town offering faster and cheaper services, the Toucans' business starts to decline. Flash Rover may be speedy and cost-effective, but he proves to be dishonest, leading the townspeople into trouble. As the situation worsens, the residents of Tapton realize the importance of trustworthiness and quality, turning back to the reliable Toucan brothers for help. A humorous and heartwarming tale, this story underscores the values of integrity and the significance of supporting dependable, hardworking individuals.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes the Toucan Brothers great at fixing things?
How do the residents of Tapton help Sammy and Paul in the story?
Why is teamwork important, as shown in the book?
What would you do if you were a Toucan Brother for a day?
How do the illustrations add to the story? What is your favorite picture?
Tip: Role play these questions
Share your own experiences related to teamwork and how working together has helped you solve a problem.
Ask your child to point out their favorite illustrations and describe what they like about them, fostering an appreciation for art.
Encourage your child to think about how they can help others in their community, just like the Toucan Brothers.
Discuss the importance of fixing things rather than throwing them away, relating it to recycling and caring for the environment.
Create a fun activity where your child imagines their own business or service they could provide, similar to the Toucan Brothers.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The Toucan Brothers, Sammy and Paul, work together to fix the plumbing problems in Tapton. The story highlights how by combining their skills, they achieve more than working alone.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of cooperating and working with others to accomplish tasks, whether in school projects or during play.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, the brothers face various challenges that they solve creatively. They demonstrate adaptive thinking and resourcefulness in tackling unexpected problems.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think on their feet and use their ingenuity in difficult situations, building critical thinking skills.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Despite facing setbacks, such as competition from Flash Rover, the Toucan Brothers persist in their efforts to serve their community, reinforcing the value of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children learn to continue trying and not give up easily, applicable in learning new skills or overcoming personal challenges.
Example Lesson: Community Service
Explanation: The story illustrates the brothers' commitment to assisting their neighbors and keeping their town running smoothly, emphasizing the importance of helping others.
Real-World Application: This lesson instills the value of community involvement and helping those around you, fostering a sense of responsibility and empathy.