Sparky!
What’s inside...
The ingenious author of 17 Things I'm Not Allowed to Do Anymore and a brilliant illustrator and production designer of the Coraline movie have collaborated on a picture book about a pet sloth named Sparky. Ordered through the mail, Sparky isn't good at tricks or games, but still captures the heart of the narrator. This touching and humorous story is perfect for young animal lovers and has won the Charlotte Zolotow Award.
Age
2-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Girl
Sparky
Mother
Mary Potts
Discussion points
What do you think Sparky, the sloth, feels throughout the story?
How do you think having Sparky as a pet changed the little girl's life?
What did you learn about friendship from the story of Sparky?
Why do you think the little girl wanted a pet like Sparky even though he couldn't do tricks?
If you had a pet sloth like Sparky, what would you do together?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine having a unique pet like Sparky and ask them what fun activities they would do together.
Discuss the values of patience and acceptance shown by the little girl towards Sparky's slow nature and inability to perform tricks.
Use open-ended questions to allow your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, fostering deeper understanding and empathy.
Relate the story to personal experiences where your child had to be patient or accept differences in others, reinforcing the themes in a personal context.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: In 'Sparky!', the protagonist learns to take care of her pet sloth, addressing its needs and ensuring it is happy and healthy.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to take charge of their tasks and belongings, such as cleaning their room or caring for their own pets.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: The story highlights the slow nature of the sloth, teaching the child to adjust her expectations and patiently accept Sparky's paced lifestyle.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that some situations or tasks require patience and time, and immediate results are not always possible.
Example Lesson: Acceptance
Explanation: The child in the book learns to appreciate Sparky for who he is, despite him being different from other energetic pets.
Real-World Application: This story encourages children to embrace and celebrate differences in everyone, understanding that diversity enriches our experiences.
Example Lesson: Friendship
Explanation: Despite challenges, the protagonist remains a loyal friend to Sparky, showing that friendship isn’t based on capabilities but on mutual care and respect.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of maintaining friendships by being supportive and kind, even when friends have different abilities or interests.
Example Lesson: Creativity
Explanation: The protagonist finds innovative ways to play with Sparky, adapting traditional games to suit his slow pace.
Real-World Application: This lesson inspires children to think creatively in their play and interactions, adjusting to various circumstances and individuals.