A Thousand Billion Things (and Some Sheep)
What’s inside...
Every day presents us with a wide range of choices including what to have to breakfast, what to wear and what to do in our spare time. Even deciding which piece of homework to tackle first presents a challenge. But when night comes and it's time for bed, what choice is there but to lie in the dark ... and count sheep? This book takes us through all the choices in a typical child's busy day and presents the reader with a puzzle. On every spread there's something specific to find amongst the thousand billion (well, almost) things in the bright and busy artwork.
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What are some of your favorite things that you noticed in the book, and why do you like them?
If you could choose one scene from the book to jump into, which one would it be and what would you do there?
How do you think the boy feels when he's trying to find the sheep? Have you ever felt the same way?
What are some new things you learned from exploring the pictures in this book?
Which things would you add to the pictures if you were the author, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a calm and curious tone to encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book.
Point out specific details or items in the illustrations and ask your child what they think about them or if they notice anything similar in their own environment.
Relate the boy’s experiences in the book to your child’s life by comparing his search for the sheep to times when your child has searched for something important.
Encourage creativity by asking your child to imagine their own additions to the scenes, fostering a deeper connection with the book’s content.
Validate all responses to build confidence and encourage your child to share more about their perspectives and interpretations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of decision-making
Explanation: Throughout 'A Thousand Billion Things (and Some Sheep)', the protagonist faces various choices on each page, emphasizing the concept of decision-making.
Real-World Application: Children learn to evaluate options and make decisions daily, whether choosing a snack or selecting a game to play with friends.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences
Explanation: The book subtly teaches that every choice has a consequence, illustrated by different outcomes based on what the protagonist selects.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand that their actions lead to results, teaching them to think ahead about the possible implications of their choices.
Example Lesson: Observation and attention to detail
Explanation: With detailed illustrations and hidden elements, the book encourages readers to pay close attention and observe carefully to find hidden objects or outcomes.
Real-World Application: Enhances a child's observational skills which are useful in academic settings, such as spotting details in text or images, and in everyday life, such as noticing when a friend is sad.
Example Lesson: Creativity and imagination
Explanation: The myriad possibilities in each scenario spark imagination, as children think about different scenarios and outcomes.
Real-World Application: Fosters creative thinking, which can lead to innovative problem-solving and expressive abilities in real-world situations.
Example Lesson: Patience and persistence
Explanation: Finding hidden items and exploring various options can require patience and persistence, as not all objects are immediately obvious.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of perseverance and diligence in achieving goals, whether in completing a difficult puzzle or mastering a new skill.