Fifty-five Feathers
What’s inside...
Pukeko is concerned about her friend Gecko, who is struggling in the winter cold. She seeks advice from Wise Old Tree, who instructs her to make Gecko a cloak of 55 feathers. Pukeko embarks on a mission to help her friend, resulting in a charming and beautifully illustrated story by the creators of Natural New Zealand ABC Wallchart and The Thief of Colours.
Age
5-8
Length
123 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think each of the fifty-five feathers represents in the story?
How did the main character feel when they found each feather, and why do you think they felt that way?
Which feather was your favorite and why?
How do you think the story would change if the main character missed finding one of the feathers?
What lessons did the main character learn at the end of the adventure?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to describe the colors and textures of the feathers mentioned in the story, enhancing their descriptive vocabulary.
Ask your child to guess what might happen next after each feather is found to build prediction skills.
Discuss the emotions of the characters at various points in the book to develop empathy and understanding.
Relate the story to personal experiences where your child had to collect or find items, to make the story more relatable.
Praise your child’s responses to encourage in-depth thinking and to build confidence in expressing their ideas.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: In 'Fifty-five Feathers', the birds must work together to collect all the feathers scattered by the wind. This demonstrates how collaboration can accomplish tasks that are impossible to do alone.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or helping out with family chores, learning that cooperation can lead to successful outcomes.
Example Lesson: Value of Persistence
Explanation: Throughout the story, the characters face numerous challenges but they continue to search for the feathers. This highlights the importance of perseverance in achieving goals.
Real-World Application: Kids can mirror this persistence in their own lives by sticking with difficult tasks at school or while learning new skills, understanding that effort can lead to real achievements.
Example Lesson: Respect for Nature
Explanation: The narrative shows the birds' efforts to restore their natural environment after it's disrupted. It teaches respect and care for the surroundings.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to engage in environmentally friendly activities like planting trees or recycling, learning to take care of the world around them.
Example Lesson: Embracing Differences
Explanation: The birds in the book are of different types and sizes, each contributing in unique ways to the quest for feathers. This represents the strength found in diversity.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children appreciate diversity among their peers and teaches them to value everyone's unique contributions at school or in their community.