Avocado Baby
A Red Fox picture book Series
on Goodreads (1,186)
What’s inside...
The story follows the Hargraves family who has a new baby that won't stop crying and refuses to eat anything. That is until the baby tries an avocado and discovers a love for the fruit. The baby grows incredibly strong, with the strength increasing with each avocado consumed, leading to a series of amusing and adventurous situations. A new edition of the classic board book beautifully reissued, celebrating the power of babies and avocados. The Hargraves are a weak and puny family. When a new baby arrives, they’re willing to try anything to make it grow big and strong, including feeding it avocados. The story is amusing for adults, impressive for toddlers, and good for greengrocers, authored by John Burningham, one of the most outstanding author-illustrators of children's books today.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
28 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Baby
Mother
Discussion points
How do you think the avocado helped the baby become stronger?
What are some ways the baby used his strength to help his family?
Can you think of a time when eating something healthy made you feel good?
Why do you think the robbers were scared of the baby?
If you had super strength for a day, what would you do with it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences by discussing times they felt strong or healthy after eating certain foods.
Use expressive facial expressions and voice modulation to mimic the characters' reactions, making the story more lively and engaging.
Discuss the importance of healthy eating and how it can contribute to everyday strength and well-being.
After reading, engage in a fun activity where your child can draw their favorite scene or depict what they would do if they had super strength.
Praise your child’s responses to foster a love for thoughtful reading and discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of proper nutrition
Explanation: The story revolves around a baby who gains strength from eating avocados, demonstrating how healthy eating can have positive effects.
Real-World Application: Children can learn about the benefits of eating fruits and vegetables and be encouraged to try new healthy foods.
Example Lesson: Building self-confidence
Explanation: As the baby grows stronger, it also becomes more self-assured, showing how physical health can impact confidence.
Real-World Application: Kids can be inspired to engage in activities that boost their health and self-esteem, fostering a positive self-image.
Example Lesson: The power of resilience
Explanation: Despite being small, the Avocado Baby uses its newfound strength to protect its family, which highlights resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to use their personal strengths to overcome challenges and stand up for themselves and others.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem-solving
Explanation: The baby creatively uses its strength to solve problems, turning challenges into opportunities.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to think creatively when faced with obstacles, using their unique abilities to find solutions.