Where Does Thursday Go?
on Goodreads (111)
What’s inside...
In the picture book 'Where Does Thursday Go?' by Janeen Brian, a young boy named Bruno and his stuffed toy, Splodge, embark on a journey to find out where Thursday goes when Friday arrives. They meet various characters along the way who provide imaginative but inconclusive responses. As the story concludes, Bruno and Splodge fall asleep and wake up to discover it's Friday, implying that Thursday transitions into the next day while they sleep. The book explores the concept of time in a whimsical manner, making it perfect for young children and is beautifully illustrated.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Thursday wonders where it goes after it ends?
How do you feel when something fun ends, like a birthday or a holiday?
What are some ways you could celebrate the end of a week or a special day?
What do you imagine happens to the other days of the week when they are over?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing a personal story about a time you looked forward to something ending or beginning.
Highlight the emotions shown in the book and ask your child to articulate feelings they’ve experienced that are similar.
Encourage creative thinking by asking your child to draw or write about what they think happens to the days of the week.
Validate their responses, showing genuine interest in their thoughts and ideas to promote confidence in expressing themselves.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding the concept of time
Explanation: The story follows the whimsical quest of finding where Thursday goes, which subtly introduces children to the days of the week and the flow of time.
Real-World Application: Children can begin to relate the sequence of days to their daily activities such as school days versus weekends, helping them understand routine and time management.
Example Lesson: Value of curiosity and exploration
Explanation: The protagonist's journey in search of an answer fosters a spirit of curiosity and adventure, showing that asking questions is a way to learn.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to ask questions about their surroundings and seek out answers, promoting active learning and discovery in real life.
Example Lesson: Importance of persistence
Explanation: Despite not knowing where Thursday goes, the protagonist persists, teaching resilience and determination.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to persist in their tasks or in learning new skills, despite difficulties or challenges.
Example Lesson: Developing friendship and social skills
Explanation: Throughout the journey, interactions with other characters demonstrate communication and cooperation.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of building relationships and working together with others, which are crucial skills in both school and life.