Goodness Gracious, Gulliver Mulligan
What’s inside...
Gulliver Mulligan is twice as tall as his classmates, with big shoes and bigger hats. A loner, though not by choice, he colors by himself in class while the other kids play games, do crafts, and dress up. He watches while all the children play together after school but never joins in. One day, a new boy arrives in Gulliver's class—a small, shy boy named Mortimer Goss. Mortimer and Gulliver are as different as can be, but when the class's fall outing takes a fateful turn, Gulliver Mulligan is faced with a challenge. Will he be up to it? In this touching story, an unusual friendship grows where it's least expected.
Age
6-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Gulliver Mulligan felt when he started his adventure?
How would you solve a problem like the one Gulliver faced?
Why is it important to help others, as Gulliver did?
What would you do if you were in a new place like Gulliver?
How do you think the story would change if you were a character in it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate to Gulliver by sharing a personal story of a time you faced a similar challenge or adventure. Use expressive reading to bring the characters to life, changing your tone and pitch to match the emotions and actions. After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book, discussing why they made that choice. This encourages them to think more deeply about the story and its themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: Goodness Gracious, Gulliver Mulligan demonstrates kindness through the character of Gulliver, who consistently helps his friends in their time of need.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by offering their help or support to their friends and family, fostering a nurturing and supportive environment.
Example Lesson: Value of perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the book, Gulliver faces various challenges but never gives up. His perseverance helps him overcome obstacles and succeed.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of persistence in achieving goals, whether it’s finishing a difficult school project or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: The power of imagination
Explanation: Gulliver uses his imagination to solve problems and create adventures for himself and his friends, showing how creativity can lead to solutions.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to use their imagination in play and problem solving, which can enhance their creative thinking skills and adaptability.
Example Lesson: Respect for differences
Explanation: Gulliver encounters characters from diverse backgrounds and learns to embrace their differences, promoting inclusivity.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to appreciate and respect people who may seem different from them, thus cultivating a sense of empathy and social harmony.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: In the story, Gulliver and his friends work together to tackle challenges, highlighting how collaboration can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Children learn to cooperate with others, whether during group activities at school or when playing games, emphasizing the benefits of working as a team.