Alley Cat Rally
on Goodreads (97)
What’s inside...
Asta the cat is on a mission: to be the greatest racer her neighborhood has ever seen. She needs to show those alley cats who the real slow pokes are! And what better opportunity than the Kibble Hill Rally? Using a bit of ingenuity and a washing machine, Asta’s ready to take on the other racers, but can she compete with Marvin’s souped-up shopping basket or Anton’s sleek sportscar and win the race? Buckle up for this lively tale from Ricky Trickartt about the importance of persisting, even when your dreams might feel out of reach.
Discussion points
What do you think makes the cats in the rally so unique? How do they compare to regular cats?
If you were a cat in the Alley Cat Rally, what kind of vehicle would you build and why?
How did the various cats work together during the rally? Can you think of a time when you worked together with your friends?
What part of the rally was the most exciting for you? What made it so thrilling?
If you could create a new event for the Alley Cat Rally, what would it be and how would it work?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story, prompting them to think creatively about what kind of vehicle they would invent.
Praise your child’s responses to foster an encouraging and supportive reading environment. This boosts their confidence to express unique ideas.
Relate the cats' cooperation in the rally to real-life teamwork scenarios in your child’s life, aiding their understanding of collaboration.
Make predictions together about what might happen next in the story, or what a sequel to the book might include, to enhance their anticipation and analytical skills.
Discuss the differing characteristics and innovations of the cats, helping your child appreciate diversity and creativity.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In 'Alley Cat Rally', the cats must work together to build their race cars, demonstrating the importance of collaboration to achieve common goals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning to cooperate and value each member's contribution.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Innovation
Explanation: The cats in the story use unique materials to create their cars, showcasing creativity and thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to explore their imaginations whether in art projects or problem-solving tasks, understanding that creativity can lead to unconventional and successful results.
Example Lesson: Perseverance and Resilience
Explanation: Despite facing challenges, the feline characters persist in building their race cars and preparing for the rally, which teaches resilience.
Real-World Application: This lesson resonates in real-life scenarios where children learn not to give up easily, be it in their academic pursuits or personal hobbies.
Example Lesson: Fair Play
Explanation: The characters in 'Alley Cat Rally' learn to compete fairly and respect others in the race, emphasizing the value of sportsmanship.
Real-World Application: Children can implement these principles in their own competitions and interactions, valuing honesty and respect for others.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, cats encounter various problems that require quick thinking and problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to calmly approach challenges and think critically about solutions in their daily lives, enhancing their decision-making skills.