When the Fog Rolls In
on Goodreads (145)
What’s inside...
When the Fog Rolls In is a picture book by author-artist Pam Fong about a little puffin that gets lost in unfamiliar territory during a thick fog. The story explores themes of navigating uncertainty, opening your mind, and finding your way back to your flock. Through sensitive, layered text and atmospheric illustrations, the book addresses feelings of being lost, making decisions, and broadening perspectives. It is ideal for social and emotional learning, akin to Cori Doerrfeld’s The Rabbit Listened and Dan Santat’s After the Fall.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the fog in the story represents?
How do the characters feel when the fog rolls in, and how do their feelings change throughout the story?
What would you do if you were in a similar situation as the characters?
Can you think of a time when you felt unsure like the characters? What helped you feel better?
What is the most important lesson the characters learned in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, maintain eye contact and show genuine interest in your child's thoughts and opinions.
Encourage your child to describe their feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences where possible.
Use follow-up questions to delve deeper into your child’s understanding and interpretation of the story’s themes.
Praise your child for their insights and contributions to the discussion to boost their confidence and engagement.
Connect the themes of the book to real-life situations to help your child apply the lessons learned in practical settings.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Uncertainty
Explanation: In 'When the Fog Rolls In,' the characters confront a sudden, enveloping fog that disrupts their normal activities. Through their journey, they learn to navigate and adapt to this unexpected change.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to remain calm and think creatively when they face new or uncertain situations at school or in social settings.
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: As the fog sets in, the characters in the book must work together to find their way and help each other. This collective effort demonstrates the power of cooperation.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to collaborate with their peers on group projects or during team sports, understanding that teamwork can lead to successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Developing Resilience
Explanation: The characters show resilience as they keep moving forward despite the challenges posed by the fog. Their persistence teaches children the importance of resilience in overcoming obstacles.
Real-World Application: Children can practice resilience by not giving up easily when faced with difficulties in learning new skills or in overcoming a personal challenge.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Problem Solving
Explanation: To navigate through the fog, characters come up with innovative solutions. This highlights how creativity can be used to solve problems.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think outside the box and use their imagination to solve problems, whether in their academic assignments or in everyday problems.
Example Lesson: Appreciating Nature’s Mysteries
Explanation: The fog, a natural phenomenon, brings a sense of wonder and mystery in the story. It teaches children to appreciate and be curious about the natural world.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to explore and learn more about nature, fostering a lifelong respect and curiosity for the environment.