Dr. Abraham's Happy Little Stories
What’s inside...
A heartwarming collection of short stories that capture the essence of joy and the simple pleasures of life through the eyes of diverse characters. Dr. Abraham explains that babies begin collecting data as soon as they are born, filling their empty mental shelves with new information. The stories they hear help shape their personalities, fostering curiosity which is crucial for their development. Curious children are more likely to become creators, inventors, and artists who think outside the box and lead fulfilling lives. In Dr. Abraham's Happy Little Stories, read tales about loving families and adventurous children, where parents might exaggerate, but it nurtures the creative mind. Meet characters like Hazel Larue, Harold, Donny Leroy, Peggy Sue, and Harry, who makes friends with a snake and learns the truth about earwax. The stories celebrate the beauty of imagination and encourage being silly, flexing creative muscles, and perhaps creating tall tales of one's own.
Age
9-12
Length
26 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did you think about how the characters solved their problems in the stories?
Which story was your favorite and why?
How did the characters' feelings change throughout the story?
If you could be friends with any character from the book, who would it be and what would you do together?
What lesson do you think we can learn from these stories?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting each story, ask your child to predict what the story might be about based on the title and the illustrations.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story by asking how they would feel in a similar situation.
Discuss the motivations of the characters and ask your child what they would have done differently.
After reading, connect the stories’ themes to real-life situations or personal experiences to make them more relatable to your child.
Celebrate your child’s responses, whether through verbal encouragement or by drawing scenes from the story together.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: Through the narratives surrounding the characters' interactions and feelings, children learn the importance of understanding and sharing the feelings of others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by recognizing emotions in their peers and offering comfort or help, fostering stronger friendships and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The book highlights characters facing challenges but persisting towards their goals, illustrating the value of not giving up.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to persist through their own challenges, whether in schoolwork, sports, or personal goals, enhancing their resilience and achievement.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: Dr. Abraham's characters often solve problems through creative thinking and unique solutions, demonstrating the power of imagination.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think creatively in their daily life, finding new ways to tackle homework or handle disputes.
Example Lesson: Kindness
Explanation: Acts of kindness are a common theme in the stories, showing children the impact of kind actions on others' happiness.
Real-World Application: This can be mirrored in a child's life by encouraging them to perform acts of kindness in school or at home, promoting a positive and supportive environment.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Characters in the book often take on tasks that require them to be responsible and reliable, teaching children the importance of fulfilling obligations.
Real-World Application: Children learn to take responsibility for their actions and duties, such as completing homework on time or caring for a pet, which are essential skills for personal development.