Up, Up and Away
on Goodreads (41)
What’s inside...
What does it take to build your very own planet? Orson is about to find out. He takes: A cup full of rocks, A dash of water, A sprinkling of metal, A lot of nothingness, A big bang ... And before long, BOOM! He has it – a tiny planet with rings around it, right there in his bedroom! But it seems that BUILDING a planet is the easy bit; taking care of it is a different thing altogether. Over time, Orson realises that his planet needs to be free and that sometimes you have to let go of the things that you love the most. A heart-warming story about life's possibilities and disappointments with an uplifting ending that will resonate with all fans of Oliver Jeffers' work.
Discussion points
What would you do if you could build your own hot air balloon? Where would you go?
How do you think the main character felt when his balloon lifted off the ground?
Why is it important to have dreams and work towards them, like the boy in the story?
What challenges did the boy face and how did he overcome them?
If you could add a character to the story, who would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions that allow your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story.
Relate the story to your child's experiences by discussing times when they tried something new or faced a challenge.
Encourage your child to imagine and describe their own adventurous dreams, just like the character in the book.
Discuss the importance of perseverance and creativity, as demonstrated by the protagonist's journey in building his hot air balloon.
Allow your child to draw or create a representation of their imagined character to add to the story, fostering creativity and deepening connection with the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Creativity
Explanation: The protagonist's journey of building his own hot air balloon from scratch illustrates the power and joy of using one's imagination and creativity.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate their unique ideas and are encouraged to engage in creative activities like drawing, building, or inventing, which are essential for problem-solving and critical thinking.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: When facing challenges in his balloon-making process, the protagonist doesn’t give up, showing persistence until he succeeds.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of determination and hard work when encountering difficulties in tasks or goals, be it in school projects or personal endeavors.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The young boy takes on the responsibility of constructing the balloon and navigating it, learning to manage tasks independently.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to take initiative and responsibility in their actions and daily chores, understanding that being responsible leads to trust and autonomy.
Example Lesson: Sharing knowledge
Explanation: As he builds the balloon, the protagonist shares his experience and knowledge with peers, fostering a collaborative environment.
Real-World Application: Kids learn the importance of sharing knowledge and working together, which can be applied in group studies or cooperative play, enhancing social and communication skills.