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Miss Twiggley's Tree

4.59
on Goodreads (606)

What’s inside...

Why did Miss Twiggley live in a tree? Why did she send her dog, Puss, out to do the shopping? Why did she always run away and hide when people came to visit? And it was rumored that Miss Twiggley had even more peculiar habits... Old Miss Twiggley, Was friendly with bears. They shed on the sofa, she said, But who cares? And was it true, as the mayor's wife had heard, that she actually slept in her hat? Simply disgraceful! they said. But when a hurricane hits the town and the water rises, everyone is grateful to Miss Twiggley and her tree. Even better, Miss Twiggley herself learns a very important lesson, with a warm and happy ending.
Age
2-6
Length
44 pages
Text complexity

Discussion points

Why do you think Miss Twiggley chose to live in a tree and how would you feel if you lived there?
How did the townspeople’s attitude towards Miss Twiggley change throughout the story, and why do you think it changed?
What does Miss Twiggley's friendship with the bears teach us about making friends with someone different from us?
How did the storm affect everyone in the town and why was Miss Twiggley’s treehouse important for the community during this time?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone or someone helped you in a surprising way?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the characters to life, changing your tone and pitch with different dialogues to capture interest.
Encourage your child to imagine the scenes by asking them to describe what Miss Twiggley’s treehouse might look like inside.
After discussing the questions, relate them to real-life scenarios that your child might encounter, reinforcing the book’s messages.
Discuss the illustrations and ask how they help to tell the story, prompting your child to pay attention to visual details and their significance.
Highlight the themes of kindness and community support by sharing examples from your own experiences.

Key lessons

Example Lesson: Importance of kindness
Explanation: Miss Twiggley and her dog live in a tree and often keep to themselves, but when a storm hits, they open their home to help others in need.
Real-World Application: Children learn that extending kindness to others, even in small ways, can make a significant difference in someone's life.
Example Lesson: Value of accepting differences
Explanation: Miss Twiggley is perceived as strange by townspeople because she lives in a tree. Throughout the story, her unique lifestyle shows that being different is not only acceptable but can be advantageous during emergencies.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to embrace and celebrate individual differences among peers, fostering a more inclusive attitude.
Example Lesson: Benefit of community support
Explanation: During the flood, the entire community finds refuge in Miss Twiggley’s tree house. This act of collective support highlights the strength and safety in community cooperation.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of supporting and relying on each other, creating a sense of community and teamwork in real-life situations.