The Troublemaker
on Goodreads (604)
What’s inside...
Bored and restless on a summer day, a little boy steals his sister's bunny and sends it on an adventure. He is well satisfied with the results—until his own stuffed animal disappears. Could it be that he is not the only troublemaker around? A case of sibling rivalry is neatly resolved with the 'assistance' of a hilarious raccoon in Lauren Castillo's warm, simple text and gorgeous classic illustrations.
Age
4-7
Length
38 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Boy
The Sister
The Mother
Raccoon
Discussion points
Why do you think the boy in the story liked to play tricks on others?
How do you feel about what happened to the boy's toy raccoon?
What changes did you notice in the boy's behavior by the end of the story?
How would you feel if someone played a trick on you like the boy did in the book?
What do you think is the best way to deal with someone who is being a troublemaker?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what they think a 'troublemaker' is and explain the concept if needed.
While reading, pause after major events and ask your child how they would feel if they were in the same situation.
Encourage your child to think about the consequences of actions by discussing what happened to the boy and his toy.
After reading, engage your child in a conversation about times they've witnessed or dealt with mischievous behavior.
Ask your child to come up with alternative ways the boy could have expressed himself without causing trouble.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The story showcases how the main character learns to understand and empathize with a mischievous raccoon, mirroring his own troublesome behavior.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to reflect on their actions and develop empathy by considering how their behaviors affect others around them.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: Throughout 'The Troublemaker', actions taken by the characters lead to various consequences, which helps illustrate the cause and effect relationship of actions.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think about the outcomes of their actions before they act, promoting responsible decision-making.
Example Lesson: Importance of Responsibility
Explanation: The protagonist learns to take responsibility for his actions and their impact on others, including caring for the raccoon.
Real-World Application: By instilling a sense of responsibility, children can be encouraged to take ownership of their duties and understand their role in a family and community.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: The character faces unintended consequences from his tricks but learns to address and correct his mistakes.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that mistakes are a part of learning and that resilience is key to overcoming difficulties.
Example Lesson: Joy of Redemption
Explanation: As the character makes amends for his misdeeds, he experiences the positive feelings associated with making things right.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the emotional benefits of rectifying mistakes and improving their behavior towards others.