Zombie in the Basement
What’s inside...
Zombie in the Basement is the heartwarming tale of Alfie, an adorable young zombie who lives with Andrew and his family. Their special houseguest struggles to learn how to cope with being different than everyone else while Andrew and his family help to teach Alfie how to manage the situations that arise from his condition. We're all different, and that's a good thing. Our children should be taught to proudly march to the beat of their own drum, and to embrace the individuality that exists in the world around them. It's up to us to give them enough love and support to find their own way without leading them by the hand and doing it for them. In this first book of the Zombie in the Basement series, Alfie, Andrew and their friends try to get the zombie's foot back from the neighbor's dog Scooter. The job is made more difficult when the neighbor, who doesn't like Alfie because he's different, refuses to help. Will the boys ever get Alfie's foot back?
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
36 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the zombie felt being in the basement?
What would you do if you found a zombie in our basement?
Why is it important to understand someone who seems different from us?
Can you think of a time when you felt misunderstood, like the zombie?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use empathetic listening when your child responds to questions. Nod and maintain eye contact to show you are engaged.
Encourage your child to elaborate on their thoughts by asking follow-up questions based on their responses.
Relate the themes of the book to real-life situations to help your child connect with the story on a deeper level.
Highlight the importance of empathy and understanding, reinforcing these values during your discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Acceptance of Differences
Explanation: The story follows a zombie who feels out of place among regular people but ultimately finds acceptance.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and embrace the differences in others, fostering a more inclusive environment at school and in social settings.
Example Lesson: Courage to Be Oneself
Explanation: Despite being a zombie, the main character courageously interacts with others and expresses his true identity.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be true to themselves and to express their unique qualities and interests without fear of judgment.
Example Lesson: The Power of Friendship
Explanation: The zombie in the story builds friendships that help him overcome challenges and feel accepted.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of building supportive friendships and how peers can help overcome personal and social obstacles.
Example Lesson: Conflict Resolution
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters face conflicts that are resolved through understanding and cooperation.
Real-World Application: Children learn effective ways to resolve conflicts, understand different perspectives, and work together to find solutions.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The other characters learn to understand and empathize with the zombie's feelings and experiences.
Real-World Application: Helps children develop empathy towards those who are different from them, enhancing emotional intelligence and social skills.