Magical Children 3 Books in 1
#1 in Magical Children Series
on Goodreads (15)
What’s inside...
Each of the Magical Children stories is about a child with a special gift. In THE INVISIBLE BOY, Sam is left in the care of the horrible Hilda Hardbottom when his parents go missing on a trip to the moon, and makes friends with a little alien called Splodge who shows him how to become invisible. THE STRONGEST GIRL IN THE WORLD is about Josie Jenkins, aged 8, who suddenly finds that she can lift up a double decker bus with no effort at all, and learns to live with the vicissitudes of fame and fortune. And THE BOY WHO COULD FLY is Thomas Top, who is granted a birthday wish by the Fat Fairy and finds that his new talent has a wonderful effect on his whole life. Funny, poignant, and charmingly packaged with the author's own drawings, these stories by the uniquely talented Sally Gardner have already proved immensely popular, and this collection is a lovely way to introduce them to a whole new readership.
Discussion points
What magical ability would you choose to have and why?
How do the characters in the book handle challenges? Can you relate to any of their strategies?
Which character in the book did you find most interesting or inspiring, and what about them stood out to you?
If you could be friends with any character from the book, who would it be and what would you do together?
How do you think the story would change if it was set in our current time?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting a new chapter, ask your child to predict what might happen next, enhancing their anticipation and analytical thinking.
After reading, connect the magical elements of the story to real-life scenarios by discussing how everyday problems could be solved with a touch of magic.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. This helps deepen their connection and understanding of the story.
Create a 'magical moments' jar where after each reading session, your child can write down their favorite magical moment from the book. Review these moments together at the end of the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of resilience and perseverance
Explanation: Throughout Sally Gardner's 'Magical Children 3 Books in 1', protagonists face various challenges but continue to strive and adapt to achieve their goals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by not giving up when facing difficulties in school or during extracurricular activities, understanding that persistence is key to overcoming obstacles.
Example Lesson: The value of kindness and understanding
Explanation: Characters in the book often extend kindness to others, even when it's not expected or required, demonstrating the impact of empathy and compassion.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being kind to their peers and understanding different viewpoints, fostering a nurturing social environment both at school and home.
Example Lesson: Recognizing and celebrating individual differences
Explanation: The book showcases a variety of characters with unique talents and perspectives, which contributes to solving problems they encounter.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to appreciate diversity and recognize that everyone has unique qualities and skills that contribute to the community.
Example Lesson: The consequences of actions
Explanation: Throughout the stories, characters learn that their choices affect not only themselves but also those around them.
Real-World Application: Children can understand the concept of cause and effect, helping them to make more thoughtful decisions and understand the impact of their actions on others.
Example Lesson: The power of imagination and creativity
Explanation: The magical elements in the stories highlight how creativity and thinking outside the box can lead to wonderful adventures and solutions.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to use their imagination in problem-solving and creative expression, enhancing their cognitive and artistic skills.