Don't Count Your Chickens
on Goodreads (10)
What’s inside...
Ruth-May has a new hobby: chickens. And she is completely hooked! She starts out with just two, but in no time at all, she has 16 chickens to cuddle and count, morning, noon and night. Ruth-May is deliriously happy, but the chickens . . . well, that's a different matter. Fed up to the back beak with being cuddled and coddled, they escape to the park and teach Ruth-May an important lesson. If you really love something, you have to set it free . . . and that applies to chickens too!
Age
3-7
Length
26 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the story is trying to teach us about expectations and surprises?
How did the characters feel when things didn’t go as planned?
Can you think of a time when something unexpected happened to you? How did you react?
What would you have done if you were in the place of the main character?
Why is it important to be patient and not assume outcomes?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences. Use prompts from the book to discuss the value of patience and flexibility. Highlight moments in the story where characters show resilience and ask your child how they might use those lessons in their own life. Lastly, ensure to listen actively to your child’s responses, fostering a safe space for open expression.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: The story highlights the importance of patience through the characters waiting for the eggs to hatch, instead of assuming how many chickens they will have.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to wait patiently for outcomes in real-life situations like growing a plant or waiting for a special event.
Example Lesson: Counting and Basic Math Skills
Explanation: As characters count the eggs and chickens in the story, it offers a practical demonstration of basic counting and addition.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply these skills in everyday scenarios, such as counting toys, steps, or items in their snack.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The book teaches responsibility by showing characters taking care of the eggs, emphasizing the need to nurture and be responsible for others.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to take responsibility in caring for pets, their belongings, or in helping out with family chores.
Example Lesson: Handling Disappointment
Explanation: The story shows characters facing disappointment when their expectations are not met, useful for teaching children how to cope with similar feelings.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that it's normal to feel disappointed sometimes and that they should express and manage those feelings appropriately.
Example Lesson: Preparation
Explanation: The narrative includes characters preparing for the chicks, which underlines the importance of proper preparation for anticipated events.
Real-World Application: Kids learn the significance of preparing for school projects, family events, or even planning their day.