Monkey Tricks
Oxford Reading Tree: Storybooks Series
on Goodreads (19)
What’s inside...
This is the big book version of a story from the 'Stage 3 Wrens Storybooks'. It aims to reinforce key verbs such as 'went' and 'had', and uses strongly patterned language, which is particularly suitable for use in the Literacy Hour. It was previously available only as part of a pack. While his friend Horatio, a stuffed rabbit, enjoys the bungled tricks of a mischievous monkey, James, a teddy bear, wonders why the monkey's props look so familiar. Horatio and James, the rabbit and teddy bear from Horatio's Bed, return in a brightly illustrated story about the coming of Johnny Conqueror, a mischievous monkey with some puzzling tricks.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-4
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the monkey felt when he played tricks on others?
How did the other animals react to the monkey's tricks?
What would you have done if you were one of the animals?
Do you think the monkey learned his lesson by the end of the story?
Why is it important to think about others' feelings before we act?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in the shoes of both the monkey and the other animals to foster empathy. Discuss the consequences of actions and the importance of considering others' feelings. Use expressive reading techniques, changing your voice for different characters to make the story livelier and engaging. After reading, you could have your child come up with an alternative ending, imagining what they would do differently if they were the monkey. This not only enhances creativity but also helps them understand the moral of the story better.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: In 'Monkey Tricks', the mischievous monkey learns the consequences of not telling the truth when his tricks lead to confusion and upset among his friends.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of honesty in their daily interactions and understand that truthfulness helps build trust and harmony in relationships.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem solving
Explanation: The story showcases the monkey’s cleverness in coming up with various tricks. However, it also highlights the importance of using creativity for positive outcomes.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively in solving problems and to use their imagination in a constructive way, rather than for deceit.
Example Lesson: Understanding the feelings of others
Explanation: As the monkey observes the effects of his tricks on his friends, he learns to empathize and understand how his actions affect others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be more considerate and aware of how their actions can impact the feelings of peers and family members, fostering empathy and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The monkey faces repercussions for his mischief, which teaches him about accountability.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children comprehend that there are consequences to every action, promoting responsibility and thoughtful decision-making.