#1 in The Candymakers Series
The Candymakers
on Goodreads (27,862)
What’s inside...
Four gifted twelve-year-olds, including Logan, the candymaker's son, Philip, a boy from the city, Daisy, the granddaughter of highly regarded candy makers, and Miles, a boy with a mysterious past, are selected for a national candy-making contest. They face off in a confectionary competition filled with unexpected twists, mysteries, and adventures.
Character compass
Discussion points
What did you think about the different characters and their unique talents? How do they use their strengths to contribute to their team?
How do the characters in the book show teamwork and trust? Can you share an example from the story where teamwork helped solve a problem?
What lessons did the characters learn about friendship and competition throughout the story?
How would you have handled the mystery in the candy factory? What would you do the same or differently than the characters?
If you could create your own candy, what would it be like? What ingredients would you use and what would you name it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think deeply about the story by asking them to put themselves in the characters' shoes. Discuss the moral dilemmas and choices faced by the characters. Use examples from the book to relate to real-life situations your child might encounter, fostering a deeper understanding of empathy and ethical decision-making. Highlight the importance of creativity and imagination, just like the characters used theirs to create unique candies. Lastly, celebrate the joy of reading together by designing a 'candy creation' session inspired by the book, where you and your child can imagine and draw your dream candies.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In 'The Candymakers', characters work together in a candy-making contest, showcasing teamwork as they combine their unique strengths to create unique candies.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of cooperating with peers in school projects or team sports, understanding that diverse contributions can lead to great results.
Example Lesson: Honesty and Integrity
Explanation: Throughout the plot, characters face choices that test their honesty. The protagonist, Logan, exemplifies integrity, teaching readers that truthfulness is important.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to practice honesty in their daily interactions and understand its value in building trust and respect among friends and family.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Innovation
Explanation: The story celebrates creativity, especially in the candy creation process, where imagination is critical to success.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to use their creativity to solve problems and express themselves in artistic or academic endeavors.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Characters encounter setbacks in the competition but learn to persevere and stay committed to their goals.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of persistence in overcoming obstacles, whether in completing a difficult homework assignment or learning a new skill.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The book explores the backgrounds and motivations of different characters, fostering a sense of empathy and understanding.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to consider perspectives different from their own, promoting inclusivity and compassion in their everyday social interactions.