Boing
What’s inside...
Four funny friends—a rook, a cow, a mole, and a turtle—decide to put together a balancing act. A zany and wonderful book about practicing, playing, and learning to get along.
Age
12-13
Length
28 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the story make you feel when the characters were jumping around?
What do you think the characters learned by the end of the story?
If you could jump into the book, what would you have done differently?
Why is jumping fun? Can you think of other things that are fun because they make you move?
Tip: Role play these questions
Express genuine interest in your child's responses to encourage deeper thinking. Nod and maintain eye contact while they speak.
Relate the story to your child's experiences, like times when they felt similar joy or excitement from activities like jumping or playing.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child’s answers to dig deeper into their understanding and feelings about the story.
Use illustrative gestures or expressions when discussing scenes from the book to make the conversation more lively and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: In 'Boing', the protagonist faces numerous challenges but continues to try and overcome them, demonstrating persistence and resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own challenges without giving up, whether it’s solving a difficult puzzle or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The book showcases the character solving problems in innovative ways, encouraging creative thinking.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think outside the box and use their imagination to tackle tasks and problems in daily activities.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters work together and support each other, highlighting the importance of friendship.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of helping and cooperating with friends and peers at school or in play.
Example Lesson: Joy in Exploration
Explanation: The protagonist’s journey is filled with curiosity and discovery, promoting the joy found in exploring new things.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to be curious and enthusiastic about learning, whether it’s exploring nature or engaging with new topics in school.