Pip and Squeak Visit the Stars
What’s inside...
Pip and Squeak are two adventurous penguins who embark on a journey to the stars to find their missing stuffed animal, Booboo the Bear. Along the way, they learn about different types of stars, including red dwarfs, blue giants, neutron stars, and black holes. The book features beautiful full-color illustrations by a daughter-father team passionate about science and art, aiming to share their enthusiasm with readers.
Age
2-8
Length
44 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Pip and Squeak felt when they first saw the stars up close?
How did the characters change from the beginning of the story to the end?
If you could visit any planet, which one would you choose and why?
Why do you think teamwork was important for Pip and Squeak on their adventure?
What would you have done differently if you were in Pip and Squeak's place?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading: Change your tone and volume to match the excitement of the story, making the experience more immersive for your child.
Ask predictive questions: While reading, pause and ask your child what they think will happen next. This encourages active participation.
Connect to real life: Relate elements of the story to your child's experiences, such as a time they worked together with friends or looked at the stars.
Encourage creativity: After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene or imagine a new adventure for Pip and Squeak.
Discuss the moral: Talk about the lessons Pip and Squeak learned during their journey and how these lessons can be applied in real life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Pip and Squeak collaborate to build a spaceship and navigate through the stars, demonstrating the importance of working together to achieve a common goal.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of cooperating with others, whether in class projects or shared activities at home, to accomplish tasks more efficiently and harmoniously.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and Exploration
Explanation: The characters’ journey to the stars fuels their curiosity about the universe, encouraging an explorative mindset.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to ask questions and seek out new experiences and knowledge, both academically and in their everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout their adventure, Pip and Squeak encounter and solve various challenges, using their creativity and logic.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to approach problems thoughtfully and creatively, finding solutions and learning from the process.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Despite facing obstacles in their space journey, Pip and Squeak persist until they reach the stars, illustrating resilience and determination.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to continue striving towards their goals, despite difficulties, fostering a resilient and persistent attitude in new endeavors.
Example Lesson: Sharing Knowledge
Explanation: After returning from their journey, Pip and Squeak share their newfound knowledge about the stars with their friends, showing the importance of sharing information.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to share what they learn with peers, enhancing their communication skills and reinforcing their understanding through teaching others.