The Worst Witch at Sea
#5 of 1 in Large Family Series
on Goodreads (237)
What’s inside...
Young Mildred Hubble, an apprentice witch with a reputation for being the worst student at Miss Cackle's Academy for Witches, smuggles her cat Tabby on a class trip to Gloomy Cove with unexpected results. Jill Murphy’s latest insightful snapshot of parenthood is a thumpingly entertaining picture book about elephants, and us. In the story, Mrs. Large isn't feeling well, so Mr. Large sends her back to bed and takes charge of the household chores with the children. Despite their efforts to help, Mrs. Large's day is anything but restful, filled with interruptions and mishaps.
Discussion points
What challenges does Mildred Hubble face in 'The Worst Witch at Sea' and how does she overcome them?
How do Mildred’s friendships change throughout the story? What do you think she learns about friendship?
What would you have done differently if you were in Mildred's situation on the magical sea adventure?
Why is it important for Mildred to follow the rules at Miss Cackle’s Academy? Do you think rules are always fair?
How does Mildred handle making mistakes and what can we learn from her experiences?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare their own experiences with Mildred’s, discussing similarities and differences.
Ask your child to think about and discuss the characters’ feelings, emphasizing empathy and understanding.
Use creative prompts such as, 'Imagine if you had a magic potion. What would it do and why?' to deepen engagement with the book's magical elements.
Discuss the importance of perseverance and resilience, as shown by Mildred, when she faces obstacles.
Enable your child to narrate what they would have done in Mildred’s place in different scenarios in the book. This fosters critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in challenging situations
Explanation: Mildred Hubble faces various challenges during her adventures at sea but she shows resilience by finding solutions and staying positive.
Real-World Application: Children learn that they can overcome difficulties by staying determined and approaching problems with a positive attitude.
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: Throughout the story, Mildred relies on the support and companionship of her friends, which helps her navigate through her misadventures.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of maintaining strong friendships and relying on friends during tough times.
Example Lesson: Taking responsibility for one's actions
Explanation: Mildred often finds herself in trouble due to her own mistakes and learns to take responsibility for her actions as the story progresses.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to own up to their mistakes and learn from them instead of blaming others.
Example Lesson: The power of perseverance
Explanation: Despite frequent setbacks, Mildred doesn’t give up on her goals and continues to try her best.
Real-World Application: This instills in children the idea that perseverance is key to achieving goals and overcoming obstacles.