Moonbeans and the Dream Cafe
#1 in Magical Moon Cat Series
on Goodreads (12)
What’s inside...
Space-mad Jax has just moved to a new town and is finding it difficult to get settled. Her mum is so busy struggling to open her dream business - a yummy new cafe - that she doesn't seem to have realised that Jax feels lonely, and is desperately missing her dad, who died four years ago.
Discussion points
What do you think makes the Dream Cafe special?
How do you think Moonbeans feels when she helps someone in the story?
Can you imagine what your own dream cafe would look like? What special things would you have in it?
Why is it important to help others, like Moonbeans does?
What dream would you want to come true if you visited the Dream Cafe?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use open-ended questions to allow your child to think deeply and express their thoughts freely.
Relate the themes of the book to your child's personal experiences, asking if they've ever felt similar to Moonbeans or had similar wishes.
Encourage creativity by asking your child to draw or describe their own dream cafe.
Discuss the moral lessons in the story, like kindness and helping others, to reinforce these values in your child's daily life.
Praise your child’s responses to instill confidence and foster a love for reading and discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: In 'Moonbeans and the Dream Cafe,' the protagonist, Jax, learns to understand and empathize with the struggles of the cafe's patrons as well as her own friends.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize the feelings and perspectives of others, improving their ability to understand and care about their classmates, friends, and family members.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Problem Solving
Explanation: Jax uses her creative skills and imagination to solve various problems around the cafe, which turns it into a magical and welcoming place.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to use their creativity to tackle challenges and make their environments better. It shows them how thinking 'outside the box' can lead to innovative solutions.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and Dedication
Explanation: Jax is dedicated to making the Dream Cafe a success. She shows responsibility in managing tasks and helping others throughout the story.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of responsibility in achieving goals and the positive impact of dedication on community and personal success.
Example Lesson: The Value of Hard Work
Explanation: The improvements Jax and her friends make to the Dream Cafe highlight the rewards of hard work and persistence.
Real-World Application: Children learn that dedication and effort can lead to fulfilling and visible results, an invaluable lesson for school projects and personal goals.
Example Lesson: Friendship and Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, Jax collaborates with friends who each contribute unique skills to the success of the Dream Cafe.
Real-World Application: This aspect of the story can help children see the benefits of collaborative efforts and maintaining positive relationships, crucial skills in both academic and personal settings.