I Can Read Level 1 Series
Morris and Boris at the Circus
on Goodreads (145)
What’s inside...
When Morris the Moose decides to join the circus, he finds himself in all kinds of trouble until his friend, Boris the Bear, comes up with a solution.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What was your favorite part of the circus in the story, and why?
How did Morris feel when he saw the circus acts, and have you ever felt the same way?
What do you think is the most important part of being a friend, like how Boris helps Morris?
If you could be any circus performer, who would you be and why?
What would you do if you were in charge of the circus for one day?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by sharing your own favorite circus memory or a similar fun experience, making it relatable and inviting for your child.
Encourage your child to describe what they imagine the circus from the book looks like, fostering creativity and deeper thinking.
Discuss the feelings of the characters, like excitement or nervousness, to help your child learn to express and handle their own emotions.
Use expressive gestures and voice changes while discussing different performances or characters, making the storytelling lively and engaging.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book, which can lead into a discussion about their drawing and thoughts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding friendship dynamics
Explanation: In 'Morris and Boris at the Circus', Morris and Boris demonstrate a humorous and sometimes challenging friendship that reflects real-life interactions between friends.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of patience, forgiveness, and humor in maintaining friendships, helping them navigate their own relationships with peers.
Example Lesson: Importance of communication
Explanation: Throughout the book, miscommunications between Morris and Boris lead to funny situations, emphasizing the importance of clear dialogue.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to express their thoughts and feelings more clearly to avoid misunderstandings, which is a crucial skill in both school and family settings.
Example Lesson: Enjoyment of shared experiences
Explanation: The story centers around Morris and Boris attending the circus together, highlighting how shared experiences can strengthen bonds.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to partake in group activities with friends and family, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Morris often misunderstands situations, but these mistakes are addressed with humor and understanding, showing that errors are a part of learning.
Real-World Application: Teaches children that making mistakes is okay and is an essential part of learning and growing, thereby building resilience.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and exploration
Explanation: Morris's curiosity about the circus leads to various discoveries and adventures, illustrating the joys of exploring new things.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to embrace curiosity in everyday life, leading to lifelong learning and discovery.