#2 in Clarice Bean Series
Clarice Bean Spells Trouble
on Goodreads (2,874)
What’s inside...
Clarice Bean is having a spell of trouble with her spelling, but when it comes to solving a mystery, her skills are necessary. When a beloved teacher disappears, Clarice must use her wit and courage to find her.
Character compass
Discussion points
What do you think Clarice Bean learned about friendship in the story?
How did Clarice handle the challenges she faced at school? What would you have done in her place?
Clarice uses her imagination a lot. Can you think of a time when your imagination helped you solve a problem?
What does 'trouble' mean to you? How does it compare to what trouble means to Clarice Bean?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting a conversation, allow your child to express their favorite part of the book. This can open up an organic dialogue about the story's themes.
Relate the situations in the book to real-life scenarios that your child might encounter, which can help them connect more deeply with Clarice's experiences.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or other challenges for Clarice. This promotes creative thinking and deeper understanding of the character's development.
Discuss the importance of understanding and confronting challenges, just like Clarice Bean, and how these lessons can be applied in their daily life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: Clarice Bean often finds herself in tricky situations where she might be tempted to lie, but she learns that honesty is the best policy.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the value of telling the truth, even when it seems difficult, to build trust with peers and adults.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Clarice uses her imagination and creativity to solve problems, showing that thinking outside the box can be rewarding.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their creativity to find solutions in everyday challenges and to view problems as opportunities for innovative thinking.
Example Lesson: The significance of empathy
Explanation: Clarice learns to understand and share the feelings of others, which helps her navigate her social environment more effectively.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to consider the perspectives of others, enhancing interpersonal relationships and fostering a supportive community.
Example Lesson: Resilience in facing challenges
Explanation: Despite facing several challenges, Clarice shows resilience and a positive attitude, which helps her overcome obstacles.
Real-World Application: This lesson can teach children that persistence and a positive outlook are key in overcoming difficulties they might encounter in their lives.