Double Trouble! (Barry Loser)
Barry Loser Series
on Goodreads (15)
What’s inside...
Celebrate Barry Loser’s 10th birthday with this new series of full color graphic novels featuring Barry, Bunky, Nancy, and the gang embarking on a series of amusing adventures. The series includes 'how to draw' sections, allowing fans to create their own comics. Enjoy three hilarious stories, where Barry's dad turns into a vending machine and a boring story affects Barry's mind and body disastrously. Jim Smith’s books have achieved significant success, with accolades like the Roald Dahl Funny Prize and being sold in 17 territories. This release complements an already popular series including numerous titles and special editions.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
256 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Barry and Bunky’s friendship change throughout the story and what do you think caused those changes?
What are some ways Barry dealt with feeling like a 'loser' and what can we learn from his experiences?
Can you think of a time when you felt like Barry and how did you handle the situation?
What role do you think Miss Plimpt plays in the story, and why is she important to Barry and Bunky?
If you could give Barry one piece of advice, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by sharing your own feelings about the story to set a reflective tone for the conversation.
Ask your child to describe their favorite part of the book, which can lead naturally into deeper discussion topics.
Encourage empathy by asking how they might feel in Barry’s or Bunky's shoes in various scenarios from the book.
Highlight the importance of friendship and resilience demonstrated in the story, and how these themes apply in real life.
Guide your child to relate personal experiences with the themes of the book, fostering a deeper personal connection and understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of friendship
Explanation: In 'Double Trouble! (Barry Loser)', Barry learns the true value of having friends who support and understand him during challenging times.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and nurture their friendships, understanding that true friends are there for each other during both good times and bad.
Example Lesson: Dealing with jealousy
Explanation: The book explores Barry's feelings of jealousy when his friends seem to favor someone else. This offers a platform to discuss the emotion and how to handle it.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to express their feelings in a healthy way and learn strategies to cope with jealousy when they feel overshadowed by peers.
Example Lesson: Accepting differences
Explanation: Barry encounters characters who are different from him, which teaches him to be more accepting and inclusive.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the value of diversity and teaches them to embrace individual differences in their peers.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: Throughout the book, Barry faces various challenges but learns to tackle them with resilience and a positive attitude.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of perseverance and maintaining a positive outlook, even when faced with difficult situations.
Example Lesson: Honesty
Explanation: Barry learns the consequences of dishonesty and the importance of being truthful, which strengthens his relationships.
Real-World Application: This moral lesson underscores the importance of honesty in building trust and integrity in everyday interactions and relationships.