The Woman Who Won Things
The Gaskitts Series
on Goodreads (165)
What’s inside...
One lucky morning Mrs Gaskitt opens the post and discovers she's won a prize. She kisses the postman, who turns out to be her husband Mr Gaskitt, working his latest job. Meanwhile, Gus and Gloria get a new teacher, Mrs Plum, who has silvery hair and a big smile. She's very helpful when things start going missing in the classroom. Surprisingly, Mrs Gaskitt finds out she's won another prize. The book is brand new and has the same ISBN as listed.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-9
Length
80 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made the woman keep entering contests, and how did she feel when she won?
If you won a prize like the woman in the story, what would you do with it?
How do the other characters react to the woman's winnings, and why do you think they reacted that way?
What lesson do you think we can learn from the woman's experiences in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin by exploring your child’s initial thoughts about the story, encouraging them to reflect on the woman’s motivations and actions.
Connect the story to your child's personal experiences by discussing a time they won something or participated in a contest.
Encourage empathy by asking how the child would feel in the woman's situation and how they think the woman felt during different parts of the story.
Wrap up the conversation by asking your child about the moral of the story, promoting a deeper understanding of the narrative’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of sharing
Explanation: In the story, the main character wins a plethora of prizes and gradually learns the joy and satisfaction of sharing her winnings with others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to share their own belongings, thus fostering a sense of generosity and cooperation with friends and siblings.
Example Lesson: The value of contentment
Explanation: As the protagonist accumulates more prizes, she realizes that happiness doesn't solely come from material possessions but from the experiences and people around her.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to appreciate what they have and find joy in non-material aspects of life like family, friendships, and personal achievements.
Example Lesson: Accepting and learning from mistakes
Explanation: The story showcases moments where the character makes mistakes in handling her prizes but learns to rectify and learn from these mistakes.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of acknowledging their mistakes, understanding the consequences, and striving to correct them, promoting personal growth and responsibility.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving and decision making
Explanation: The protagonist faces several challenges on how to manage her winnings effectively, engaging in critical thinking and decision-making processes.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to develop and apply critical thinking skills in their daily decisions and problem-solving situations.