Frankie, Peaches and Me (Stella Etc.)
#1 in Stella Etc. Series
on Goodreads (602)
What’s inside...
Leaving Frankie behind, Stella has just moved from London to a paint-peeling, past-its-sell-by-date, seaside resort town, which feels just around the corner from the back of beyond after Kentish Town. However she comes to love it and its eccentricities and the characters she meets there, including Peaches the cat. Stella, along with her mum, dad and mildly mad twin brothers, has just moved from buzzy London to the sleepy seaside town of Potbay. Not only has she had to leave her best mate Frankie behind but she's also kissed goodbye to Seb - only the guy she's ever liked. Still, Portbay's got its own charms; they might just take a little discovering.
Character compass
Stella
Frankie
Peaches
Discussion points
How do you think Stella felt when she had to move to a new place? Can you relate to her feelings?
What would you do if you were in Stella's shoes and met someone like Frankie and Peaches?
Stella learns a lot about friendship in the story. What do you think makes a good friend?
How do the characters in the book show courage and kindness?
If you could add another character to the story, who would they be and what role would they play?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use empathetic listening when discussing Stella’s experiences, validating your child’s feelings. Encourage your child to draw parallels between their life and Stella’s adventures, fostering a deeper connection with the narrative. Help them explore the themes of friendship and adaptation by relating them to their own experiences. Ask your child to imagine alternative scenarios within the story, boosting their creative thinking and engagement with the text.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Change
Explanation: Stella learns to adapt to her new life after moving from a bustling city to a quiet seaside town. She faces challenges but overcomes them with a positive outlook.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace changes such as moving to a new place or changing schools, understanding that new experiences bring opportunities for growth.
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: Throughout the book, Stella makes new friends and learns about the importance of trust and support in friendships.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to build and maintain friendships, teaching them the significance of having a support system and being a supportive friend.
Example Lesson: Creative Problem Solving
Explanation: Stella often finds herself in tricky situations but uses her creativity and wit to solve problems.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to use creative thinking to navigate and solve problems in their day-to-day activities, promoting flexibility in thinking and resilience.
Example Lesson: Accepting Others
Explanation: Stella learns to accept and appreciate the quirks and differences of the new people she meets in the seaside town.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand and celebrate diversity, fostering an inclusive attitude towards peers from different backgrounds.
Example Lesson: Confidence in Self-Expression
Explanation: As Stella adjusts to her new environment, she finds ways to express herself and share her own stories, gaining confidence along the way.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of self-expression and the confidence to share their thoughts and feelings, both verbally and through creative outlets.