Leo the Lonely Lizard
#2 in Exploring Emotions with Kids Series
on Goodreads (1)
What’s inside...
At Safari Elementary School, everyone seems to have a friend. Everyone, except for Leo. Join Leo on his journey through school and how he learns to overcome the feeling of loneliness.
Discussion points
How do you think Leo felt when he was all alone? Can you tell me about a time when you felt the same?
What did Leo do to try to make friends? Do you think it was a good idea?
How did the other animals react to Leo at first, and how did their reactions change by the end of the story?
Why do you think friendship is important? How do you choose your friends?
If you were in the story, what would you do to help Leo feel less lonely?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to convey the emotions Leo might be feeling at different points in the story. This helps the child connect emotionally and empathetically with the character.
Pause after significant events or actions taken by Leo and ask your child what they think about those decisions, fostering critical thinking.
Relate the story’s themes to the child’s personal experiences, especially focusing on friendship, loneliness, and resolution, to make the conversation more relatable.
Encourage your child to think about what they would do differently if they were in Leo’s position, enhancing their problem-solving skills.
Discuss the outcomes of the story and ask your child to imagine what might happen next, encouraging creativity and continued engagement with the story’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of friendship
Explanation: Leo the Lonely Lizard teaches young readers about the importance of friendship as Leo embarks on a journey to find friends, learning to connect with others along the way.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by reaching out to peers, sharing, and learning the importance of teamwork and cooperation in their own lives.
Example Lesson: Overcoming loneliness
Explanation: The story showcases Leo feeling lonely initially but gradually finding companionship, which highlights the concept of overcoming emotional challenges.
Real-World Application: Kids will learn to seek out social interactions and express their feelings when they feel isolated. This encourages healthy emotional development.
Example Lesson: Embracing differences
Explanation: Leo encounters various animals that are different from him, teaching the reader to accept and celebrate differences among people.
Real-World Application: This lesson prepares children to be more accepting and inclusive of diversity in their classrooms and communities.
Example Lesson: Persistence pays off
Explanation: Leo’s continuous effort to find friends despite initial setbacks imparts the value of persistence to young readers.
Real-World Application: Children learn that being persistent in their goals, be it making new friends or learning a new skill, will lead to success.
Example Lesson: Self-discovery
Explanation: Throughout his adventures, Leo learns about his own strengths and weaknesses, which is a crucial part of personal growth depicted in the story.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to explore new activities and discover their own unique talents and abilities.