The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
What’s inside...
The story revolves around a brave little old lady who wasn't afraid of anything. On her way back home from the forest, she encounters various strange objects that appear to follow her, but to each she proclaims that she is not scared. This children's book is a delightful tale of courage and perseverance. A splendiferous Halloween story. A clever reworking of a classic story. The little old lady's fearless attitude and her clever solution as to what to do with the lively shoes, pants, shirt and pumpkin head that are chasing her will enchant young audiences. With brilliantly colored, detailed folk art illustrations. A great purchase.
Age
2-6
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Little Old Lady
Discussion points
What do you think the little old lady was feeling when she first heard the noises? Can you describe a time when you felt the same way?
How did the little old lady handle her fear? What would you do if you were in her shoes?
Why do you think the pumpkin, shoes, and other items wanted to scare the little old lady?
How did the story change your thoughts about being brave and facing fears?
What would you have done with the items at the end of the story? Can you think of other creative ways to use them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story by comparing it to their own experiences with fear and bravery.
Discuss the importance of facing fears and ask your child about times they’ve overcome something that scared them.
Highlight the creativity of the little old lady in dealing with the items that scared her, and encourage your child to think of other creative solutions in difficult situations.
Use the book as an opportunity to teach problem-solving skills by discussing different ways the characters in the story handled their fears.
Praise your child's insights and thoughts during the discussion to boost their confidence and engagement with the book’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage in the face of fear
Explanation: The protagonist, despite encountering spooky items in the forest, bravely faces each one. Her determination showcases how to manage fear.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by bravely facing their own fears, whether it’s trying new activities or facing the dark.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: The Little Old Lady creatively uses the moving objects she encounters to solve her problem, ultimately creating a scarecrow. This highlights the importance of innovative thinking.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to think on their feet and use available resources to solve problems they encounter in school or during play.
Example Lesson: Independence and self-reliance
Explanation: Throughout her journey, the Little Old Lady relies on herself to handle the strange situations she faces, demonstrating self-reliance.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to trust their own abilities and make decisions independently when facing unfamiliar situations.