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#14 in The Bailey School Kids Series

Mermaids Don't Run Track

illustrations by
3.87
on Goodreads (1,108)

What’s inside...

This book is part of the Adventures of the Bailey School Kids series. The new track coach, Mrs. Waldo, has blue hair and a love for water. She always carries around a water bottle and encourages the kids to swim after track meets. The kids soon start to believe that she is a mermaid and is trying to turn them into sea creatures. In their effort to uncover the truth, they learn about friendship, teamwork, and how to balance their imaginations with reality.
In series
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
112 pages
Text complexity

Discussion points

What do you think it would be like to meet a mermaid? How do you imagine their world?
Who was your favorite character in the book and why did you like them?
How do the characters in the book help each other solve problems? Can you think of a time when you helped someone?
What lessons do you think the mermaids can teach us about friendship and teamwork?
If you could ask the mermaid a question, what would you ask?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring characters to life, varying your voice for different characters to keep your child engaged.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next in the story to encourage active participation.
After reading, connect themes from the book to your child’s own experiences, such as a time they worked with friends to solve a problem.
Encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene, which can lead to more discussion about the story.
Allow your child to ask their own questions and explore their curiosity about the book’s content, facilitating a deeper understanding and engagement.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: Embracing Diversity
Explanation: The story presents characters from various fantastical backgrounds, depicting how diversity enriches experiences.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate differences among their peers, fostering an inclusive environment at school and in their community.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: Characters in the book work together to overcome challenges, emphasizing the importance of collaboration.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to participate constructively in group activities and projects, enhancing their social and cooperative skills.
Example Lesson: Importance of Physical Activity
Explanation: The setting of a track event highlights the theme of physical fitness and well-being.
Real-World Application: Promotes an active lifestyle among children, encouraging them to engage in sports and outdoor activities.
Example Lesson: Courage to Face Fears
Explanation: Characters confront and overcome personal fears, teaching resilience and bravery.
Real-World Application: Empowers children to face their own fears, be it trying new activities or standing up in class, nurturing personal growth and confidence.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The fantastical elements of the story stimulate creative thinking and imaginative play.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to create their own stories or engage in creative play, enhancing their cognitive and creative development.