A Finder's Magic
What’s inside...
A boy named Till loses his beloved dog during their daily walk and goes to bed in despair. He wakes up to meet Mr. Finder, an odd little man from his dream, who offers to help him retrieve his dog. Together, they question witnesses including a heron, a mole, a riddling cat, and two old ladies, Miss Gammer and Miss Mousy. However, Mr. Finder has a habit of disappearing suddenly, leading Till to question if he can be trusted. This part detective story, part fairy tale, titled A Finder’s Magic, contains mystery, darkness, light, and the emotional truth characteristic of Philippa Pearce’s writing.
Age
7-9
Length
128 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Till
Finder
Discussion points
What do you think Tilley learned about friendship throughout the story?
How do you believe the finder's journey affected him? What parts of his adventure stood out to you the most?
If you could meet any character from the book, who would it be and what would you ask them?
How did the illustrations make you feel about the story? Did they change how you imagined the scenes?
Can you think of a time when you had to solve a difficult problem like Tilley? What did you do?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own thoughts on the story to create an open platform for discussion.
Allow your child to express their feelings about the characters' decisions and encourage them to think about alternative choices the characters could have made.
Use the illustrations in the book as a visual cue to discuss specific scenes; ask your child to describe what they see and how it relates to the story.
Encourage your child to draw a scene or character from the book, then discuss their artwork to deepen their connection and understanding of the story.
Link themes from the book to real-life situations your child might encounter to help them apply the story's lessons outside of reading time.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The power of perseverance
Explanation: In 'A Finder's Magic', the main character, Tillawn, embarks on a relentless search for his missing dog, engaging help from magical and mysterious figures. This demonstrates the importance of determination in overcoming challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to apply persistence in their own lives, whether in completing school projects, learning new skills, or solving personal problems.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: Throughout his journey, Tillawn meets various characters who assist him in his quest, showing that friendships can form in the most unexpected places and how crucial they are in achieving one’s goals.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be open to building relationships with others and to value teamwork and cooperation in school or play.
Example Lesson: Coping with loss
Explanation: The story begins with Tillawn dealing with the loss of his beloved pet. Through his adventure, he learns to cope with his feelings, demonstrating the process of handling grief and loss.
Real-World Application: Children learn that feeling sad about losing something or someone important is okay, and there are constructive ways to deal with these emotions.
Example Lesson: Importance of trust
Explanation: Tillawn has to decide whom to trust during his search, learning to discern who genuinely wants to help. This highlights the importance of trust and intuition.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to be cautious and thoughtful about whom they trust, helping them develop their judgment and decision-making skills.