Thomas - Santa's Secret Elf
Santa's secret elf Series
What’s inside...
It's Christmas Eve and you're tucked up in bed when you hear strange noises coming from downstairs. A calamity is unfolding in your living room! Your secret Christmas adventure is about to begin. You are about to star in your very own Christmas story.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Thomas wanted to help Santa?
How do you think the other elves felt when they found out Thomas's secret?
What would you do if you were in Thomas's shoes?
How does helping others make you feel?
What is your favorite part of the holiday season and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing Thomas's motivations, encourage your child to think about times they have helped others and how it made them feel.
Ask your child to imagine and talk about their own secret mission to help someone, fostering a sense of empathy and creativity.
Use the discussions on the elves’ reactions to teach your child about the importance of teamwork and sharing success.
Highlight Thomas’s character traits that were admirable and ask your child which qualities they would like to emulate.
Connect the story to your child’s own experiences of the holiday season to make the story more relatable and meaningful.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The joy of giving
Explanation: In 'Thomas - Santa's Secret Elf,' Thomas learns the happiness that comes from giving gifts to others, rather than just receiving.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to find pleasure in giving and understand that happiness can come from making others happy, not just from personal gain.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: The book shows Thomas working together with Santa and other elves to prepare for Christmas, highlighting how teamwork is essential to achieve big goals.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or collaborating with siblings at home, understanding that teamwork often leads to success.
Example Lesson: Value of hard work
Explanation: Thomas works diligently in Santa’s workshop, demonstrating that hard work is crucial in accomplishing tasks and contributing to something larger than oneself.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of perseverance and effort in their studies, chores, or in learning new skills.
Example Lesson: Keeping secrets when necessary
Explanation: As Santa’s secret elf, Thomas learns the responsibility of keeping certain things confidential to maintain the surprise and joy of Christmas for everyone.
Real-World Application: Children can learn when it is appropriate to keep a secret, especially if it protects someone else's feelings or contributes to a greater good.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem-solving
Explanation: The book illustrates Thomas creatively solving problems that arise during Christmas preparations, using innovative ideas to overcome obstacles.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively when faced with challenges and to view problems as opportunities for inventive solutions.