Who Took My Lollipop?
What’s inside...
In the picture book 'Who Took My Lollipop?', a squirrel is devastated when his lollipop goes missing and he questions his friends in the playground about its whereabouts. The lollipop, bought with his own money, was pink, blue, and stripey. As the squirrel interrogates potential suspects like Badger, Mouse, and Rabbit, he struggles to control his temper. The story is humorous and dramatic, offering a subtle message about managing anger while providing entertainment suitable for reading aloud.
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think someone took the lollipop?
How do you think the character felt when their lollipop was missing?
What would you do if you were in a similar situation?
Can you think of a time when you lost something important? How did you feel?
What is the best way to solve problems with friends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive facial gestures and different voices for each character to make the story come alive.
Pause after key events in the book to give your child a moment to think about what might happen next.
Relate the story to your child's experiences to help them connect with the characters and situations.
Ask your child to predict the ending or alternate outcomes to enhance their creative thinking skills.
Encourage your child to draw or act out their favorite part of the story, fostering deeper engagement and understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Sharing and Generosity
Explanation: In 'Who Took My Lollipop?', the main character learns to share their treats with others, realizing the joy in making friends happy.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to share their own possessions such as toys or snacks with their friends or siblings, fostering a sense of generosity.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: When the lollipop goes missing, the characters work together to solve the mystery, teaching the importance of teamwork and thinking critically.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to collaborate and use critical thinking to solve daily problems, whether at school or during playtime.
Example Lesson: Accepting Responsibility
Explanation: The character who took the lollipop eventually comes forward and admits their mistake, highlighting the importance of owning up to one's actions.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the value of honesty and taking responsibility for their actions in real-life situations, like admitting when they have made a mistake.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The story shows characters expressing empathy towards the friend who lost their lollipop, teaching children to recognize and respect the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to be empathetic towards their peers' emotions and situations, helping to build stronger, compassionate relationships.
Example Lesson: Handling Disappointment
Explanation: The main character feels sad about losing the lollipop but learns to cope with their feelings, which helps in emotional development.
Real-World Application: This lesson assists children in managing their emotions, especially when they face disappointments or setbacks, teaching resilience and emotional regulation.