The Real Life Adventures of AC Hammer
on Goodreads (2)
What’s inside...
AC Hammer is a real person who was born in Idaho in 1934. This book is an illustrated cartoon version of some of his actual early life adventures and was created in celebration of his upcoming 90th birthday.
Age
4-18
Length
26 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What qualities do you think make AC Hammer a hero in the story?
How did AC Hammer's adventures make you feel? Can you relate to any of those feelings in your own life?
What lessons did AC Hammer learn during his journey? How might those lessons apply to your own experiences?
Why do you think AC Hammer made the choices he did? Would you have made the same ones?
What other adventures do you imagine for AC Hammer after the book ends?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story by asking them what they liked best or what surprised them.
Discuss the consequences of the actions made by characters in the book, and relate them to real-life situations your child might encounter.
Emphasize the lessons learned by AC Hammer and discuss similar virtues and challenges in your child’s life.
Use the book’s illustrations to deepen understanding; ask your child what they can infer from the pictures about the story or characters.
If your child is older, challenge them to think about how they would write an additional chapter to the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: In the story, AC Hammer works with his friends to solve puzzles and overcome challenges. Their success is built on their ability to collaborate and value each other's unique strengths.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cooperate with their peers during group activities at school or in play, understanding that teamwork can lead to achieving great results.
Example Lesson: Importance of perseverance
Explanation: AC Hammer faces numerous setbacks on his adventures, but he consistently demonstrates determination and does not give up. His resilience leads to eventual success.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of persisting through difficulties whether it's in learning new skills, or dealing with day-to-day challenges.
Example Lesson: Creativity and problem-solving
Explanation: The story showcases AC Hammer using his imagination and creativity to navigate through various adventures, often thinking outside the box to solve problems.
Real-World Application: Children learn to apply creativity in solving problems in their own lives, whether it's in academic tasks or in social situations.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Throughout the book, AC Hammer reflects on mistakes and learns valuable lessons which help him in future challenges.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to view mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning, rather than something to be avoided.