Dunk Skunk
What’s inside...
Animals are amazing athletes and their names hint at the sports they love to play. This companion book to 'Truck Duck' is full of energetic animals and sly details that will entertain sports fans of all ages. The book features characters like Goal Mole, Dunk Skunk, Hurdle Turtle, Quarterback Yak, Receiver Beaver, Bat Cat, Glove Dove, and Kick Chick.
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Dunk Skunk likes about playing basketball?
How do you feel when you play a game with your friends like Dunk Skunk does?
What are some ways that Dunk Skunk shows he is a good friend during the game?
If you were playing a game with Dunk Skunk, what would you do to make it fun for everyone?
How do you think the game would change if there were no rules like in Dunk Skunk's game?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive and lively tones when discussing Dunk Skunk's actions and emotions to help your child understand the character's feelings.
Point to the illustrations of the different characters playing basketball and ask your child to describe what each character is doing.
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences by asking them about times they have played with friends.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and rules in games, drawing comparisons to the scenarios in 'Dunk Skunk'.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene and explain why they chose it, reinforcing their understanding and engagement with the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of sportsmanship
Explanation: Through the game of rhyming basketball in 'Dunk Skunk', characters demonstrate fair play and respect, whether they score or miss.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson in real-life sports or games at school, showing respect and fairness to their peers during competitions.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: The book showcases animals working together to play a game, highlighting the importance of teamwork to achieve common goals.
Real-World Application: Kids can use this principle during group projects or team sports, learning to value each team member's contribution.
Example Lesson: Creativity and linguistic skills
Explanation: As the story progresses, the use of rhyming words to describe basketball actions fosters linguistic creativity and helps enrich vocabulary.
Real-World Application: Children can engage in creative word play and storytelling during school assignments or creative writing sessions, enhancing their language skills.
Example Lesson: Joy of participation
Explanation: Characters in 'Dunk Skunk' have fun playing the game, which teaches that participating and enjoying the activity is just as significant as winning.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the value of enjoying the process in various activities, be it arts, academics or sports, regardless of the outcome.