Larry Gets Lost in New York City
Larry Gets Lost Series
on Goodreads (80)
What’s inside...
Follow Larry, a dog, as he explores New York City, visiting iconic locations in all five boroughs such as Times Square, Wall Street, Radio City Music Hall, Coney Island, Madison Square Garden, and Central Park. The adventure takes a turn when he loses Pete and his family in the subway system, but after a day full of excitement, they are reunited at the Empire State Building. The book offers a dog's-eye view of the city, complete with sidebar entries that provide interesting facts about each place visited.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Larry
Pete
Discussion points
What do you think Larry felt when he got lost in New York City? Can you describe a time you felt the same?
If you were in New York City, what places would you like to visit and why?
How do you think the story would change if it was set in a different city?
What are some ways Larry could have tried to find his owner?
How did Larry's adventure make you feel at the end of the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about getting lost and being found, relating it to Larry’s experience.
Discuss similarities and differences between your hometown and New York City to deepen geographical and cultural understanding.
Use a map of New York City to help your child visually track Larry’s journey, enhancing their spatial awareness.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings for the story, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills.
Highlight the value of perseverance and seeking help, key themes from Larry’s adventure, to reinforce these important life skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving and resilience
Explanation: As Larry navigates through New York City, he encounters various challenges and must figure out solutions to find his way back to his owner. This demonstrates problem-solving in action.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of perseverance and thinking creatively to solve problems they encounter in everyday life.
Example Lesson: Geographical awareness and cultural appreciation
Explanation: Throughout his journey, Larry visits famous landmarks in New York City. This helps children to learn about different places and their significance.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be curious about different cities, cultures, and their histories, fostering a sense of global awareness.
Example Lesson: The importance of safety
Explanation: Larry’s adventure highlights the need to stay alert and be aware of one’s surroundings, especially in unfamiliar places.
Real-World Application: Children are reminded of the importance of staying close to caregivers and the necessity of knowing how to seek help in case they get lost.
Example Lesson: Empathy and perspective-taking
Explanation: As readers follow Larry's emotions through his journey—worry, excitement, sadness—they learn to empathize with characters different from themselves.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop empathy towards others' feelings and viewpoints, enhancing social interactions and emotional intelligence.