Dude, Where's My Spaceship?
#1 of 7 in Weird Planet Series
What’s inside...
Klatu, a varna, crashes his spaceship into planet Earth, along with his siblings, Lek and Ploo. Stranded in the Nevada desert, Ploo is captured by Earthling army personnel who suspect her of being a threat to humanity. As Ploo faces the possibility of being imprisoned in Area 51 indefinitely, Klatu and Lek must find a way to rescue her from the clutches of the fearsome Major Paine.
Character compass
Klatu
Ploo
Lek
Discussion points
What do you think you would do if you found an alien spaceship in your backyard?
How did the characters react when they met the aliens? What would you have done in their place?
What was your favorite part of the adventure in the story? Why did you like it?
Can you think of a different ending for the story? How would you change it?
What did you learn about teamwork and friendship from Dude’s adventure?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use emphatic listening when your child answers the questions, showing genuine interest in their thoughts and feelings. Encourage them to imagine beyond the book by asking them to think of alternative scenarios or endings. Relate the story’s themes to real-life situations in your child’s life involving teamwork, courage, and curiosity. Share your own thoughts about the book to foster a two-way conversation and deepen the connection through shared perspectives.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The protagonist, Zack, faces various challenges in his quest to find his spaceship. His ability to think on his feet and devise solutions emphasizes the importance of problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children can apply problem-solving skills learned from the story in their day-to-day activities, such as resolving conflicts with peers or tackling difficult school assignments.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout his adventure, Zack collaborates with different characters to achieve common goals. This highlights the significance of working together cooperatively.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to value cooperative play and group projects, teaching them to combine strengths and talents to achieve shared objectives.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Zack takes responsibility for finding his spaceship and ensuring the safety of his crew, illustrating the maturation that comes with personal responsibility.
Real-World Application: Children can mirror this lesson by taking responsibility for their personal belongings or tasks, such as completing homework on time.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The imaginative settings and solutions in the book showcase the power of creativity in overcoming obstacles.
Real-World Application: Kids are inspired to use their imagination in creative arts and thinking outside the box when faced with challenges.
Example Lesson: Curiosity
Explanation: Zack's quest is driven by his desire to explore and learn, underlining the value of curiosity.
Real-World Application: This lesson can motivate children to explore new topics and ask questions, enhancing their learning and understanding of the world around them.