Tiny Dogs: Bea's Secret Friends
#1 of 3 in Tiny Dogs Series
on Goodreads (32)
What’s inside...
In 'Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends,' Bea discovers she can communicate with a group of tiny, invisible dogs when she moves in with her grandparents. As she navigates a new school and life changes, Bea and her new friends embark on an adventure to restore her grandparents' neglected garden. Along the way, Bea learns valuable lessons about friendship, trust, and self-discovery while facing challenges that test her ability to keep the dogs a secret.
Discussion points
How do you think Bea felt when she discovered her secret friends?
Why is it important to have friends, even if they are different from us?
What would you do if you found a secret friend like Bea did?
How do you think the tiny dogs helped Bea? Can friends help us in similar ways?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about friendship and sharing, relating it to Bea’s experiences.
Ask your child to imagine their own secret friends and describe what kind of adventures they could have together.
Discuss the importance of empathy and kindness towards others, drawing parallels with Bea's interactions with her tiny friends.
After reading, engage in a creative activity like drawing their favorite scene or a new 'secret friend' they might like to have.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: Bea makes unlikely friends with tiny dogs, showing that friendships can form despite differences.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value and nurture friendships with peers, regardless of their backgrounds or differences.
Example Lesson: Courage to explore new things
Explanation: Bea bravely explores her environment and makes new friends, demonstrating the rewards of curiosity and courage.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to step out of their comfort zones and explore new activities and social interactions.
Example Lesson: Keeping secrets can be both fun and challenging
Explanation: Bea keeps her friendships with the tiny dogs a secret, which adds excitement but also presents challenges.
Real-World Application: Teaches children about the complexities of secrets, including when they might be harmless and when they might require adult guidance.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: By interacting with the tiny dogs, Bea learns to understand and share feelings with friends who are different from her.
Real-World Application: Children learn to empathize with others' feelings and perspectives, fostering social and emotional development.