Ursula Bear (Gazelle Books)
Ursula Bear Series
What’s inside...
When Ursula, a girl who wants to become a bear, discovers a book of spells, she successfully transforms into a bear. However, she faces a dilemma as she does not know how to revert back to her human form. In the book's second story, 'Ursula Swimming', Ursula has mastered the ability to shape-shift into a bear, which proves to be advantageous when her cousins visit.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Ursula felt when she went on her adventure?
What would you do if you were in Ursula’s place during her journey?
What are some of the challenges Ursula faced, and how did she overcome them?
Why is friendship important in Ursula’s story?
How do you think the story would change if you were one of the characters?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use emotive questions to help your child connect emotionally with Ursula's experiences.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or scenarios to enhance creative thinking.
Discuss the importance of perseverance and friendship, drawing parallels to real-life situations.
Ask your child to describe their favorite part and why it stood out to encourage detail-oriented thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Through the character interactions and relationships in the book, children learn about the importance of understanding others' feelings and perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by being considerate of their friends' emotions and learning to listen to others during conflicts.
Example Lesson: The Value of Perseverance
Explanation: The protagonist faces various challenges throughout the book but continues to strive towards their goals, teaching children the importance of not giving up.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to keep trying in face of difficulties, whether it's solving a tough math problem or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: The characters often work together to solve problems, highlighting how collaboration can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Kids can practice this lesson by participating in group activities or team sports, learning how to cooperate and value each other’s contributions.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: The story's setting in a natural environment and the character's interaction with it teach children to appreciate and care for the world around them.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to engage in activities like recycling, gardening, or taking part in local clean-up days.