Winter's Tail: How One Little Dolphin Learned to Swim Again
What’s inside...
Winter is a baby dolphin who loses her tail after it becomes entangled in a crab trap. She is rescued and taken to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where she learns to swim again with a prosthetic tail. Her story inspires people around the world, including a little boy who learns to walk with a prosthetic leg. The original hardcover upon which the major motion picture is based on! The story that inspired the new MAJOR MOTION PICTURE! When Winter was a baby, she was rescued from a crab trap, her tail seriously damaged, and rushed to Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Winter survived, but eventually her tail fell off. Then Winter received a prosthetic tail. It was very challenging but now Winter is thriving and using her new tail with great command. Every year, thousands of visitors travel to visit Winter who has become an inspiration to adults and children alike, especially to children who are amputees themselves. And now Winter's story is soon to be a major motion picture starring Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, and Harry Connick Jr.
Age
4-10
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Winter
Kevin Carroll
Discussion points
How do you think Winter felt when she lost her tail? What would you do if you were in her situation?
Why do you think it was important for the people to help Winter? What does this tell us about caring for others?
What are some ways Winter adapted to her new tail? How do we adapt when we face new challenges?
Can you think of a time when someone helped you like how the scientists helped Winter? How did it make you feel?
What did you learn from Winter’s story about perseverance and hope?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing a personal story where you faced a challenge and overcame it, relating it to Winter’s experience. Encourage your child to express their feelings about Winter’s journey, and acknowledge their thoughts with empathetic responses. Highlight the themes of teamwork and innovation by discussing how collaboration among people led to a solution for Winter. Use the book’s illustrations to help your child connect visually with the story, pointing out emotions or actions that move the narrative forward. Lastly, praise your child’s insights and ideas during the discussion, reinforcing their critical thinking and emotional understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience and Adaptability
Explanation: The story of Winter, the dolphin who lost her tail and learned to swim again with a prosthetic one, beautifully illustrates the concept of overcoming physical challenges through resilience and adaptability.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to adapt to new situations and overcome challenges, whether it's moving to a new school, learning a new skill, or dealing with physical limitations.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: As readers learn about Winter’s struggles and triumphs, they gain a deeper understanding of empathy by connecting with her experiences and the people who help her.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be more understanding and supportive of their friends and peers who might be facing their own challenges.
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: Winter's recovery was made possible through the collective efforts of dedicated marine biologists, prosthetists, and caregivers, showcasing how teamwork can lead to incredible successes.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by working cooperatively in group settings, appreciating each person's role, and understanding that collaboration can lead to achieving great results.
Example Lesson: Innovation and Creative Problem Solving
Explanation: The development of Winter’s prosthetic tail required creative thinking and innovation, highlighting how thinking outside the box can provide solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embrace creativity in their thinking and problem-solving, whether in academics, daily tasks, or interpersonal relationships.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the Face of Adversity
Explanation: Winter’s determination to learn how to swim again despite her disability teaches a powerful lesson in never giving up, regardless of the obstacles.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to persist in their efforts, whether they are trying to improve in a sport, master a new art technique, or achieve academic goals.