Stick Dog Tries to Take the Donuts
#5 of 12 in Stick Dog Series
on Goodreads (577)
What’s inside...
Perfect for fans of Big Nate, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Timmy Failure, and the previous Stick Dog books, the popular Stick Dog series continues in Tom Watson's hilarious Stick Dog Tries to Take the Donuts! It's morning. The dogs are hungry. It's time to take the donuts! Stick Dog and his team of strays are off on another outrageous canine caper. To snatch some breakfast treats for his hungry pals, Stick Dog will need to stop a moving truck, outfox a man on a telephone pole, and calm down a very caffeinated Karen. But that's not all. He'll also need to manage the greatest confrontation in history when his good friend Poo-Poo comes face-to-face with a squirrel! With Stick Dog's smarts, daring, loyalty—and patience—he just might lead his buddies to the best breakfast ever. Other favorites in the series include Stick Dog Wants a Hot Dog, Stick Dog Chases a Pizza, and many more!
Character compass
Stick Dog
Karen
Stripes
Mutt
Poo-Poo
Discussion points
What do you think Stick Dog and his friends learned about teamwork during their adventure?
How did Stick Dog handle the challenges he faced? What would you do if you were in his situation?
Why do you think the characters wanted the donuts so much? What is something you really want and why?
How do the different characters in the book contribute to their group's goal?
What part of the story made you laugh the most, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the importance of working together by asking them about times they had to work in a team, just like Stick Dog and his friends.
Discuss the moral decisions characters make, praising problem-solving and critical thinking, to instill similar values in your child.
Relate the characters’ intense desire for donuts to a goal your child might have, discussing steps and strategies to achieve it, making the conversation both fun and educational.
Utilize the humor in the book to engage your child by asking them about their favorite funny moments and what made them amusing.
After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book, encouraging them to express their understanding and perceptions creatively.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: Stick Dog and his friends work together to solve the problem of retrieving donuts. Their collaborative efforts demonstrate how teamwork can achieve goals that may be difficult to accomplish individually.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning to cooperate and value each other’s contributions to achieve common objectives.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Throughout the book, Stick Dog leads his pals through various strategies to get the donuts, showing critical thinking and adaptability when their plans need adjusting.
Real-World Application: Kids can use similar problem-solving approaches when faced with challenges in their studies or in interpersonal relationships, enhancing their ability to think critically and adapt.
Example Lesson: The consequences of actions
Explanation: The humorous misadventures of Stick Dog and his crew provide a gentle lesson on considering the outcomes of one's actions, as each plan affects their surroundings in unexpected ways.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to think ahead about the potential effects of their actions on themselves and others, fostering a sense of responsibility.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Despite facing obstacles, Stick Dog and his friends persist in their quest for donuts, showing determination.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of persistence and not giving up when facing difficulties, whether in completing a tough homework assignment or learning a new skill.