Animal Friends
My Little Chalkboard: a Learning-to-write Book S. Series
What’s inside...
The book 'Animal Friends' by Patti Jennings is a heartwarming tale that explores the relationships between various animals in their natural habitat. Through a series of engaging stories, the author illustrates the themes of friendship, cooperation, and empathy among different species. Readers are taken on a journey through the eyes of these animal characters as they overcome challenges and learn the value of working together. The book is filled with beautiful illustrations and life lessons that are suitable for children and adults alike, emphasizing the importance of respecting and caring for our fellow creatures. Additionally, 'Go around the block...reading a book on every corner!' offers a unique reading experience with four little board books about animals or everyday things. Each book features one picture and one word per page, designed for young children to increase their vocabulary and improve manual dexterity. The set also includes a touch-and-feel element on the top of the box to enhance engagement during storytime and playtime.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-4
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes the animals in the book good friends?
How do the animals help each other in the story?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend like the animals do?
Which animal character did you like the most and why?
If you could add another animal to the story, which one would it be and what role would they play?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences by sharing personal stories of friendship and teamwork.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene from the book, and discuss the drawing with them, focusing on the emotions and actions of the animal characters.
Create a playful environment by mimicking the sounds or movements of the animals in the story together, using this as a warm-up to discussing the deeper themes in the book.
Watch real-life videos or look at pictures of the animals in the book with your child, extending the learning beyond the pages.
After reading, encourage your child to think about a new ending for the story or how the story could continue with other adventures involving the animal friends.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: Through the interactions between various animal characters, 'Animal Friends' shows how understanding and caring about others' feelings is important.
Real-World Application: Children learn to recognize and respond to the emotions of their peers, promoting kindness and cooperation in school and at play.
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: The characters in the book work together to solve problems, highlighting that cooperation leads to success.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to participate in group activities and understand that everyone's contribution is valuable.
Example Lesson: Respect for Diversity
Explanation: With a range of different animal characters, the book celebrates differences and teaches that everyone has something unique to offer.
Real-World Application: Children are guided to appreciate diversity and learn to interact respectfully with people from various backgrounds.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: As the animal friends face challenges, they brainstorm and think critically to find solutions, showcasing effective problem-solving strategies.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to approach their own challenges thoughtfully, enhancing their decision-making skills.
Example Lesson: Courage and Bravery
Explanation: Characters in the story often face scary situations but learn to overcome their fears, demonstrating courage.
Real-World Application: Children learn to face new or intimidating situations with confidence, enabling personal growth and resilience.