The Little Giant® Book of Whodunits (The Little Giant Series)
#3 in The Little Giant Series
on Goodreads (32)
What’s inside...
Children aged 8-12 can solve crimes and enter the fascinating, glamorous, and dangerous world of mobsters, millionaires, and heiresses with this collection of 80 whodunits. With solutions to each mystery and explanations of clues included, young readers will learn to find clues, trap suspects with their own words, and identify distractions. The book covers a range of scenarios from finding out who shot Santa Claus to figuring out who poisoned a man during the Super Bowl. It promises a thrilling detective experience that beats a police academy course and unlocks a bizarre world of intriguing characters.
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the character to solve the mystery?
How would you have reacted if you were in the same situation as the protagonist?
What clues did you find most intriguing or surprising?
How do you think teamwork helped in solving the whodunits in the book?
What have you learned about paying attention to details from these stories?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to put themselves in the shoes of the characters, discussing how they would feel and react in similar situations. This helps develop empathy and critical thinking. Use the mysteries in the book as a fun way to challenge your child’s deductive reasoning skills, asking them to guess the solutions before they are revealed. This promotes active reading and comprehension. Highlight the importance of observation and attention to detail, traits that are beneficial beyond just solving mysteries. You might even create a mini-mystery game at home using everyday items as 'clues' to make the themes more tangible and fun.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking
Explanation: Each mystery in 'The Little Giant® Book of Whodunits' challenges young readers to scrutinize details and think logically to solve puzzles.
Real-World Application: Children can apply these critical thinking skills in school or in everyday problem solving, enhancing their analytical abilities.
Example Lesson: Attention to Detail
Explanation: The book encourages readers to pay close attention to minor details that could be clues, promoting thorough observation.
Real-World Application: This skill helps in academic settings like understanding complex instructions and can improve their overall attentiveness.
Example Lesson: The Value of Persistence
Explanation: As the mysteries get harder, children learn the importance of not giving up easily when faced with difficult tasks.
Real-World Application: This teaches persistence in completing school assignments or during challenging tasks at home or in extracurricular activities.
Example Lesson: Ethical Decision Making
Explanation: By analyzing characters' motives and actions within the stories, children learn to discern right from wrong, understanding the consequences of unethical behavior.
Real-World Application: This can guide them in making moral choices in interactions with friends and in school settings.
Example Lesson: Enhanced Imagination
Explanation: The diverse and creative scenarios in the book fuel imagination and inspire creative thinking.
Real-World Application: This can lead to creative expression in writing, artwork, or even in creative problem solving in daily life.