Lost in the Storm
Christopher Series
What’s inside...
Christopher must wait out a long, fretful night before searching for his dog lost during an evening storm. Waiting for her mother to return home from work on Valentine's day, young Heather stays with her grandmother and is called upon to assist in the rescue of a newborn lamb. By the author of Patrick's Dinosaurs. Paddy Bouma's soft watercolors highlight this unusual Valentine's Day story of a loving grandmother-granddaughter relationship. Heather is disappointed that Mama can't stay home from work to spend the holiday with her. Making cookies with Grandma-including a big, heart-shaped one for Mama-cheers her up. But when Heather and Grandma check on the sheep, they find one of the new lambs cold and still. Young children will identify with Heather's pride in helping care for the lamb and her joyful anticipation of another surprise to share with Mama.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Robbie
Toby
Robbie'S Father
Discussion points
How do you think the main character felt during the storm? Can you describe a time when you felt the same way?
What do you think is the most important lesson the characters learned in the story?
Why do you think teamwork was important for the characters in the book?
How would you help a friend who was lost or scared like in the story?
What was your favorite part of the book and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a calm and curious tone to make your child comfortable in expressing their thoughts and emotions.
Relate the story’s situations to your child's real-life experiences to deepen understanding and empathy.
Praise your child’s responses, whether simple or complex, to encourage their participation and boost their confidence.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or different scenarios in the story, enhancing their creative thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonist in 'Lost in the Storm' faces a severe storm but remains brave and hopeful throughout the ordeal.
Real-World Application: Children learn to stay calm and optimistic even when they face challenges, whether it's a difficult school project or adapting to a new environment.
Example Lesson: The value of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the book, characters work together to overcome obstacles created by the storm, showcasing effective teamwork.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of collaborating with others to solve problems, which can be applied in group activities at school or in sports.
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: Characters in the story show concern and take actions to help others affected by the storm, illustrating acts of kindness.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of helping others in distress, whether it’s comforting a friend or assisting in community projects.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: The book highlights various scenarios where the characters need to think critically and make quick decisions to navigate through the storm.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to hone their decision-making and critical thinking skills, which are essential in daily life decisions and academic challenges.