It's the End of the World and I'm in My Bathing Suit
#1 in It's the End of the World and I'm in My Bathing Suit Series
on Goodreads (943)
What’s inside...
Twelve-year-old Eddie Gordon Holloway concocts a plan to avoid chores by wearing all his clothes to minimize laundry during his school break. On the day of the Beach Bash, his mother discovers his pile of dirty laundry, forcing him to stay home and do laundry. When the power goes out mid-cycle, Eddie, in his glow-in-the-dark swim trunks, explores the neighborhood and meets other kids dealing with their own quirky situations. Together, they try to figure out why their families haven't returned, only to discover that they might be the last people left anywhere.
Character compass
Eddie
Trey
Sage
Sonia
Cedar
Discussion points
How would you feel if you were in Eddie's situation, in your bathing suit while everything else is going wrong?
What do you think about the way Eddie handles his problems? What would you have done differently?
How do Eddie's friendships change over the course of the book? Why are these relationships important?
What did you learn about handling unexpected situations from this story?
Which part of the story was the most surprising to you, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in Eddie's shoes to deepen their understanding of his feelings and choices. Use the questions to guide a reflective conversation about resilience and adaptability in difficult situations. Highlight the importance of friendships and support networks during challenging times. Lastly, acknowledge your child's feelings and thoughts as they relate the story to their own experiences, reinforcing a personal connection to the book's themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The protagonist, Eddie, finds himself in humorous yet challenging situations when he is left alone without his prepared laundry. Throughout the book, Eddie learns to navigate these circumstances, highlighting the importance of personal responsibility.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their personal chores and understand the consequences of procrastination.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Faced with an unexpected and surreal disaster scenario, Eddie and his friends must adapt to their changing environment. Their ability to stay positive and resourceful underlines the theme of resilience.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of remaining strong and adaptable in the face of challenges and disruptions in their daily routines.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, the group of kids must work together to solve problems and find ways to cope with their unusual situation, demonstrating effective teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of cooperation and working with others to achieve common goals, skills that are vital in both school projects and family activities.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Problem Solving
Explanation: The characters often have to think outside the box to deal with their predicament. This emphasis on creative solutions is a key part of the narrative.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to use their imagination and critical thinking skills to solve problems they encounter in their lives.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: As the characters face various personal dilemmas, they grow to understand each other's fears and motivations, which highlights the importance of empathy.
Real-World Application: This lesson underscores the significance of being considerate and understanding towards others' feelings and situations, fostering better interpersonal relationships.