Nightmare Park (Shades Series)
Shades of London Series
on Goodreads (9)
What’s inside...
Dreamland is a place where dreams come true, and Ben is skeptical at first but soon finds himself willing to do anything to become popular. He thinks that losing a few short minutes of his life is a small price to pay for popularity, but he quickly realizes that a lot can happen in a minutes time. This story is part of a series of fast-paced fiction titles aimed at readers in Key Stages 2 and 3.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
52 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the characters in Nightmare Park deal with their fears?
What were some of the ways the friends helped each other in the story?
Can you think of a time when you were scared and how you overcame it?
What would you do if you were a character in Nightmare Park?
How do you think the story would change if it took place during the day instead of at night?
Tip: Role play these questions
Prior to discussing, encourage your child to think about how the characters’ experiences in the book relate to their own feelings when they are scared.
Use specific scenes from 'Nightmare Park' to anchor the conversation, asking your child how they felt during key moments in the story.
Discuss the importance of teamwork and asking for help when facing fears, as demonstrated by the characters in the book.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative scenarios in the book and discuss how different actions might lead to different outcomes.
Reinforce the discussion with positive affirmation about facing and overcoming fears, relating them back to the child's personal experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of fear
Explanation: In 'Nightmare Park', characters confront various spooky scenarios, demonstrating bravery as they navigate their fears.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own fears and understand that feeling scared is natural, but overcoming those fears is empowering.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: The characters in the book often work together to solve mysteries and escape dangers, emphasizing the importance of cooperation.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to work collaboratively in group settings such as school projects or team sports, enhancing their social and cooperative skills.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout 'Nightmare Park', characters encounter obstacles that require critical thinking and creativity to resolve.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these problem-solving techniques to academic challenges or personal issues, promoting a proactive and resourceful mindset.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Characters in the story show compassion towards others in scary situations, teaching the importance of empathy.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand the value of seeing things from others' perspectives, improving their emotional intelligence and interpersonal relationships.