Puppies on Parade (Barkley's School for Dogs, 12)
#12 in Barkley'S School For Dogs Series
What’s inside...
Jack and his friends at Barkley's School for Dogs learn that they will be marching in the town's anniversary parade, but so will their rivals, the unfriendly canines from Howl's Dog City. The Barkley's School for Dogs will be marching in the town's 100th anniversary parade, and so will another neighborhood canine school, Howl's Dog City. Jack and his friends are set on outshining their rivals. But having fun and getting along beats competition, paws down!
Discussion points
What do you think each puppy might be feeling during the parade? Can you describe why?
If you were organizing a parade, what kind of floats or shows would you include?
What do you think makes a good team? How did the puppies work together in the story?
How do you think the story would change if it was set in a different place, like a beach or a forest?
Tip: Role play these questions
Show genuine interest in their responses to encourage deeper thinking and elaboration.
Relate the themes to the child's personal experiences, asking how they would feel or act in similar situations to the puppies.
Encourage them to visualize the scenes by asking what they imagine the parade looks like.
Use follow-up questions to delve deeper into their initial responses, promoting critical thinking and connection.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In 'Puppies on Parade,' the canine characters collaborate to organize a parade, demonstrating the power of working together to achieve a common goal.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in group activities at school or with friends, learning to share responsibilities and value each other's input to reach a shared outcome.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The book showcases the dogs using their creativity to design a colorful and exciting parade, encouraging readers to use their imagination to bring ideas to life.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to explore their artistic side in real life, whether through crafting, drawing, or imagining their own storytelling scenarios.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: Each dog in the story takes on specific roles necessary for the parade, teaching the importance of being responsible and dependable.
Real-World Application: Kids can relate this to their own lives by taking on tasks such as chores, school projects, or caring for a pet, learning the importance of fulfilling commitments.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: When challenges arise during parade preparations, the puppy characters come together to solve them, highlighting effective problem-solving techniques.
Real-World Application: Children can use this lesson to handle obstacles in schoolwork or in interpersonal relationships, understanding that problems can be approached methodically and solved cooperatively.
Example Lesson: Respect for Diversity
Explanation: The story includes a diverse group of dogs, each bringing unique skills to the event, promoting the value of diversity and inclusivity.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to appreciate and respect people's differences in their community and learn to embrace diverse perspectives.