Tacky Goes to Camp
#7 of 10 in Tacky Series
What’s inside...
Tacky the penguin and his friends are enjoying summer camp in Nice Icy Land with activities like Rock Hopping, Line Dancing, and Capture the Ice Cube. During a night of campfire songs, s'mores, and scary stories, the penguins are visited by something from their stories. While his friends want to leave, Tacky decides to stay. Tacky and his fellow penguins are off to summer camp in Nice Icy Land to enjoy themselves while Rock Hopping, Line Dancing, and playing Capture the Ice Cube. One night, they gather around the campfire to sing, eat s’mores, and tell scary stories. But after going to bed, something straight out of one of their scary stories pays the sleeping penguins a visit. Goodly, Lovely, Angel, Neatly, and Perfect think they should high-tail it out of there, but it is Tacky—with some unexpected heroics—who saves the day. Includes lyrics to the official Camp Whoopihaha song!
Character compass
Tacky
Discussion points
Why do you think Tacky behaves differently than the other penguins at camp?
How did Tacky's unique qualities help the penguins during their adventures at camp?
What would you have done if you were in Tacky's situation during the camp?
Can you think of a time when being yourself helped you solve a problem?
What do you think is the message of this story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the reading more dynamic and engaging.
Pause after key events in the story and ask your child how they think the characters are feeling, encouraging them to empathize.
Relate the story to your child’s own experiences, such as a time they tried something new or faced a challenge.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a scene from the book, helping them express their understanding of the story visually.
Discuss the importance of celebrating individual differences, asking your child why they think everyone being the same might be less interesting.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Individuality
Explanation: Tacky the penguin's unique personality and unorthodox methods help save the day at camp, demonstrating that being different can be a strength.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate their own unique traits and those of others, understanding that diversity enriches experiences.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: Tacky and his companions work together to overcome challenges at camp, showing that collaboration can lead to success.
Real-World Application: This story encourages children to cooperate with peers in school projects or sports, highlighting the importance of teamwork in achieving common goals.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the book, Tacky employs creative thinking to solve problems that arise during the camp activities, such as using a unique way to win a race.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to think outside the box and apply innovative solutions to obstacles they encounter in their daily activities, from puzzles to conflicts with friends.
Example Lesson: Courage and Confidence
Explanation: Despite the challenges he faces, Tacky remains courageous and confident, inspiring his friends and proving that self-belief is key to overcoming adversity.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to face fears and challenges with confidence, whether it’s trying out for a school play, facing a difficult test, or standing up for what is right.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Tacky shows resilience in the face of unexpected situations during the camp, adapting and thriving regardless of the circumstances.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of bouncing back from setbacks and adapting to new situations, valuable skills in school and social interactions.