I Love You, Blue Kangaroo!: 25th Anniversary Edition
#1 of 8 in Blue Kangaroo Series
on Goodreads (582)
What’s inside...
The story follows the adventures of a little girl named Lily and her beloved stuffed toy, Blue Kangaroo. As Lily receives more stuffed animals, Blue Kangaroo worries about losing his place in her heart. However, Lily reassures him that her love for him is unique and unchanging.
Character compass
Lily
Blue Kangaroo
Lily'S Mother
Discussion points
How do you think the Blue Kangaroo feels when Lily gets other toys?
Why is it important to show love and care to our friends?
What would you do if you were in Blue Kangaroo's place?
How do you think Lily and Blue Kangaroo’s relationship changed by the end of the story?
Can you think of a time when you felt similar to Blue Kangaroo?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the characters’ emotions and actions, relating them to their own experiences.
Discuss the theme of friendship and loyalty, asking your child how they maintain and cherish relationships in their life.
Ask your child to predict what could happen next in the story before turning the page to build anticipation and engagement.
After reading, consider role-playing a favorite scene with your child to deepen their understanding and connection to the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: The story illustrates the deep bond between Lily and her stuffed kangaroo, Blue Kangaroo, showing how true friends stick together through various challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and nurture their relationships with friends and understand the importance of loyalty and support.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Jealousy
Explanation: Blue Kangaroo feels left out and replaced as Lily receives more stuffed animals. This plot point helps children understand the emotion of jealousy.
Real-World Application: This lesson guides children on how to express and manage feelings of jealousy constructively, particularly towards siblings or friends.
Example Lesson: Sharing and Generosity
Explanation: Throughout the story, the theme of sharing comes into play when Lily decides to redistribute her toys so that Blue Kangaroo doesn’t feel overshadowed.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to share their own belongings and time, fostering a sense of generosity and fairness in their interactions with others.
Example Lesson: Understanding Emotions
Explanation: The book delves into different emotions experienced by Blue Kangaroo, from happiness to sadness and loneliness, helping children identify and name these feelings.
Real-World Application: Children can use this understanding to better communicate their emotional states and gain empathy towards how others might feel in similar situations.
Example Lesson: Resolving Conflicts
Explanation: The resolution of the story, where Lily reassures Blue Kangaroo of his importance, demonstrates effective conflict resolution.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of addressing misunderstandings and conflicts directly and lovingly, ensuring stronger relationships.