Sunshine Simpson Cooks Up a Storm
illustrations by
What’s inside...
Meet Sunshine Simpson, a new best friend for readers aged 9 and older, perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson. Sunshine's life is chaotic as she faces the daunting transition to secondary school, organizes a bake sale, copes with her absent father and her mother's sadness, handles a surprise guest, and mediates between feuding friends. Amidst these challenges, she devises a daring plan to avoid a crash and navigate through these tough times.
Age
9-12
Length
304 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Sunshine Simpson felt when she first started cooking?
Can you tell me about a time when you tried something new like Sunshine? How did it make you feel?
What are some of the ingredients Sunshine used in her recipes? Why do you think she chose them?
How did Sunshine handle the challenges she faced in the kitchen? What can we learn from her?
If you could cook a meal with Sunshine, what would you make and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about trying new activities, relating them to Sunshine’s experiences in the kitchen.
Discuss the importance of perseverance and creativity, as demonstrated by Sunshine, and how these traits can be applied in everyday life.
Bring the book to life by planning a cooking day where you and your child can recreate one of Sunshine’s recipes together.
Use the book’s illustrations to engage younger readers, asking them to describe the colors, shapes, and actions they see.
After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene or a new recipe they would like to try, fostering a deeper connection to the story’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, Sunshine Simpson works closely with her friends to prepare a meal. They share tasks, solve problems together, and ultimately succeed as a group.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to collaborate with others, whether in school projects, sports, or family activities, understanding the value of cooperation and shared success.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Innovation
Explanation: Sunshine shows creativity by experimenting with different ingredients and cooking methods to create a unique dish. This encourages thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply creativity in their daily tasks and hobbies, such as crafting, building, or even when facing challenges, by thinking of inventive solutions.
Example Lesson: Following Instructions
Explanation: The story emphasizes the importance of following recipes accurately, which helps Sunshine achieve good results in her cooking.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of attentiveness and precision, skills that are applicable in academic settings, following game rules, or managing simple tasks at home.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Sunshine encounters several obstacles in her cooking adventure, but she persists and keeps trying until she succeeds.
Real-World Application: This reinforces the value of persistence in overcoming challenges, whether in learning a new skill, dealing with personal setbacks, or pursuing goals.