Fred: The Real Life Adventures of a Little Girl with a Big Imagination
#1 in Serena Wilcox Mysteries Series
on Goodreads (55)
What’s inside...
Original oil paintings illustrate the humorous and inspirational true story of Natalie, a budding artist who overcame discouragement from her unimaginative art teacher and childhood mishaps to realize her dream of living and painting in Ireland, with her artwork featured in galleries and exhibits. The book 'FRED' is suitable for independent reading or classroom teaching for Grades 4 and up, teaching inference, irony, vocabulary, and descriptive prose, and enjoyable for reading aloud to children from Kindergarten to 3rd Grade. Readers can also watch the author paint the illustrations on her YouTube channel. 'The Serena Wilcox Mysteries: Books 1, 2 & 3' includes 'Gene Play', 'Virtual Memories', and 'Camp Conviction', along with commentaries, behind-the-scenes stories, and more. These books introduce Serena Wilcox and lay the foundation for her new role in subsequent books. The first three books have been revised and updated, maintaining their original voice, and differ in style from later, more polished books in the series.
Character compass
Fred
Discussion points
What do you think Fred imagines next after the story ends?
Can you think of a time when you used your imagination like Fred?
How do you think Fred feels when she's on her adventures?
What would you do if you were in Fred's place during one of her adventures?
Why do you think it's important to have a big imagination?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on their own daydreams and imaginative moments, relating them back to Fred’s adventures. Use Fred’s experiences to discuss the emotions involved in different scenarios, fostering empathy and understanding. Highlight the fun and excitement of imagination by imagining new adventures together with your child. Draw parallels between Fred’s creative thinking and problem-solving, reinforcing these important skills. Lastly, ensure it's a two-way conversation by actively listening to your child’s thoughts and feelings, validating their creativity and perspectives.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Imagination
Explanation: Fred, the protagonist, frequently uses her imagination to transform everyday situations into extraordinary adventures.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to use their creativity to see the world in new ways, which can enhance problem-solving skills and adaptability.
Example Lesson: Value of Perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the book, Fred faces various challenges but she continues to strive and persevere.
Real-World Application: This instills the importance of not giving up in the face of difficulties, teaching children persistence and resilience.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Fred often steps into the shoes of different characters during her imaginative play, understanding their feelings and perspectives.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop empathy, improving their ability to relate to others and recognize emotional cues.
Example Lesson: Joy in Learning
Explanation: Fred explores new ideas and learns something new in each of her adventures, displaying a genuine joy for learning.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to approach learning with enthusiasm and curiosity, fostering a lifelong love for education.
Example Lesson: Creativity in Problem-Solving
Explanation: Fred uses her creativity to solve problems that arise during her adventures.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to think outside the box and use creative thinking to overcome obstacles in their daily lives.