Yokki and the Parno Gry
#1 of 46 in Child's Play Library Series
What’s inside...
When a Traveller family experiences a run of bad luck, an imaginative boy called Yokki lifts their spirits with tales of a magical white horse. A traditional Traveller-family folk tale which inspires hope and celebrates creativity. Told by a Romani storyteller together with a picture book author to positively reflect Travelling cultures.
Character compass
Yokki
Yokki’S Mother
Yokki’S Father
Discussion points
What do you think Yokki felt when he shared his stories with his family?
How did Yokki's imagination help the family face their challenges?
What would you have done if you were in Yokki's place?
Why is it important to have hope and dreams like Yokki?
How can we use our own imaginations to solve problems in our lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story’s events and characters. Relate Yokki's creative problem-solving to challenges they face in their own life. Discuss the power of positivity and resilience, highlighting how imagination and hope play vital roles in overcoming difficulties. Use expressive read-aloud techniques to emphasize the emotional aspects of the story. Lastly, celebrate your child’s imaginative ideas, fostering a supportive environment for creative thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of storytelling
Explanation: Yokki and the Parno Gry emphasizes the power and importance of storytelling through Yokki’s vivid narratives that inspire hope and resilience in his family.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to use storytelling as a way to express themselves, share their experiences, and inspire others around them.
Example Lesson: Value of imagination
Explanation: The character Yokki uses his imagination to create a magical creature, Parno Gry, which symbolizes hope. This shows how creativity can lead to positive outcomes.
Real-World Application: Kids can be encouraged to use their imagination to solve problems and envision possibilities, enhancing their creative thinking skills.
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: Yokki’s family faces challenges as Travellers, but through the story of the Parno Gry, they find the strength to continue and overcome difficulties.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that they can find strength and resilience within themselves during tough times.
Example Lesson: Cultural appreciation
Explanation: The book introduces children to the Traveller culture and lifestyle, fostering an appreciation for diversity and different ways of life.
Real-World Application: Children learn to respect and value diverse cultures and communities, which is crucial in today’s global society.
Example Lesson: Hope and optimism
Explanation: Through the fantastical elements and the family's reaction to Yokki's stories, the book portrays how maintaining hope can positively impact one's circumstances.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of staying hopeful and optimistic, even when facing challenges, and how it can lead to better situations.