#3 in Clarice Bean Series
Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now
on Goodreads (2,666)
What’s inside...
Clarice Bean is in for a spell of trouble, and shares a lesson about worry with her fans. In her trademark style, Child delivers a hilarious account of life's unpredictable events.
Discussion points
What do you think Clarice Bean learned about facing her fears?
Why do you think Clarice and her friend Betty Moody work well together?
How do Clarice’s family members support her throughout the story?
What was the most surprising moment in the book for you, and why?
If you were in Clarice Bean's situation, how would you handle the mysteries and challenges?
Tip: Role play these questions
Keep the tone light and encouraging to make your child feel comfortable sharing their thoughts.
Draw parallels between the story and your child’s own experiences to deepen their connection to the narrative.
Ask follow-up questions to their responses to show genuine interest and encourage deeper thinking.
Use expressions of empathy like, 'That’s an interesting point,' to validate your child's feelings and opinions.
End your discussion by asking if there's anything they would do differently if they were a character in the book, reinforcing critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding Fear and Bravery
Explanation: In 'Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now,' Clarice explores her fears and learns how to face them, promoting courage in daunting situations.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by recognizing their own fears and learning coping strategies to deal with everyday challenges, like trying new activities or standing up in class.
Example Lesson: Importance of Family Support
Explanation: The story underscores the significance of family as Clarice leans on her family members for advice and comfort during troubling times.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to value and seek support from family during difficulties, fostering a supportive home environment.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Uncertainty
Explanation: Clarice faces a lot of unknowns and learns to navigate them, teaching readers to manage uncertainty and adapt to changes.
Real-World Application: Kids can use this lesson to stay calm and make thoughtful decisions when facing uncertain situations at school or with friends.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The protagonist shows empathy by considering the feelings of her friends and family, which helps resolve conflicts.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to be empathetic towards their peers, leading to stronger friendships and better conflict resolution in social settings.
Example Lesson: Persistence and Problem-Solving
Explanation: Clarice consistently demonstrates persistence and creativity in solving problems that arise in the plot.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of persisting through difficulties and thinking creatively to solve their own problems, be it in academics or personal issues.