Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky : An African Folktale
on Goodreads (850)
What’s inside...
An African folktale tells how the sun and water once lived on earth as friends, but because the sun failed to build his house large enough, he and his wife, the moon, were driven into the sky when the water came to visit them.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the Sun invited the Moon to live in the sky?
What do you feel about the Sun and Moon's friendship?
How do you think the story would be different if the Sun and Moon didn't move to the sky?
What does this story teach us about making decisions and the consequences they bring?
Can you think of a time when you wanted something very much like the Sun wanted water, and what was the outcome?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine and describe their own sky. Ask what characters or elements they would include if they were to create a sky story.
Discuss the importance of friendship and decision-making like those demonstrated by the Sun and the Moon. Relate it to real-life situations familiar to the child.
Use expressive reading techniques, changing your tone and volume when reading the characters of the Sun and the Moon to make the story more animated and engaging.
After reading the story, you might ask your child to draw their favorite scene. This could lead to a deeper discussion about the parts of the book they felt most connected to.
Connect themes from the story to everyday life - such as how the sun rises and sets - to help the child understand the natural world and the story's relevance.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of Curiosity
Explanation: In the story, the Sun's curiosity about the Water's home leads to an adventurous visit.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of exploring new experiences and asking questions to enhance their understanding of the world.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: The story demonstrates how the Sun's decision to invite the Water into his house results in unexpected outcomes, teaching the concept of cause and effect.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think about the potential impacts of their choices before acting.
Example Lesson: Friendship and Hospitality
Explanation: The Sun welcomes the Water into his home, showing an act of friendship and hospitality.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be gracious hosts and considerate friends in their interactions with others.
Example Lesson: Accepting Help
Explanation: The Moon offers assistance to contain the Water, highlighting the importance of seeking and accepting help when needed.
Real-World Application: Kids learn the value of teamwork and cooperating with others to solve problems.