Safe at Home
Comeback Kids Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
Safe at Home is a children's book that captures the challenges faced by children during the pandemic. The simple and inclusive narrative delves into one child's experience of being safe at home, exploring various emotions triggered by changes in routine. The story encourages a shift in perspective to maintain positivity during these trying times and beyond. Packed with expressive illustrations that include interactive elements to seek, find, and watch grow, it provides added engagement and interest. While primarily aimed at children under 10, its calming tone makes it a comforting resource for readers of all ages.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-11
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What made the main character feel safe in their home?
How did the friends in the story help each other feel secure?
Can you think of a time when you felt safe and protected like the character in the book?
What are some things we do at home that make you feel safe?
Why is it important to help others feel safe?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, ask your child what makes them feel safe at home, setting the stage for connecting with the book’s themes.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask your child how they think the character feels, promoting empathy and understanding.
Discuss the illustrations that depict safety and security, encouraging visual literacy and attention to detail.
After reading, relate the story to your child’s personal experiences, enhancing their ability to connect stories with real life.
Encourage your child to draw or write about their own safe space at home, fostering creativity and personal expression.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of honesty
Explanation: In 'Safe at Home,' the protagonist learns the value of telling the truth, even when it is difficult, and how it ensures trust and safety in relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this principle by being honest with their parents and peers, fostering trust and strengthening relationships in their lives.
Example Lesson: Understanding and expressing emotions
Explanation: The characters in the book navigate their feelings and learn how to express them healthily, providing a model for emotional intelligence.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to identify their own emotions and communicate them effectively, improving their emotional well-being and interpersonal interactions.
Example Lesson: Cooperation and teamwork
Explanation: The story highlights how working together can solve problems more effectively than working alone, as characters collaborate to ensure their collective safety.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be mirrored in a child’s daily life by encouraging collaboration in group activities at school or during play, helping them achieve common goals and build social skills.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, the characters face various challenges and learn to think critically and creatively to overcome them.
Real-World Application: Children can use similar strategies to tackle obstacles in schoolwork or in social scenarios, enhancing their critical thinking and adaptive skills.
Example Lesson: Empathy and consideration
Explanation: Reading about the characters’ dilemmas and feelings, children see the importance of understanding and caring for others' perspectives and emotions.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be more considerate and empathetic towards their peers and family members, fostering more compassionate communities.