The Someone New
What’s inside...
From Jill Twiss and EG Keller, the author and illustrator team behind the #1 New York Times bestselling picture book John Oliver Presents A Day in the Life of Marlon Bundo, comes The Someone New, a fresh and timely story about how it feels when someone new comes knocking at your door. Jitterbug the chipmunk likes it when things stay the same. So when one day Pudding the snail comes into her woods, Jitterbug worries that everything will be different. What if Pudding spoils everything? What if there’s no more room for Jitterbug? With the help of her friends, can Jitterbug welcome the newcomer and learn that kindness is stronger than fear?
Age
2-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Jitterbug
Pudding
Discussion points
How did Jitterbug the chipmunk feel when Pudding the snail first arrived? Can you relate to feeling unsure about meeting someone new?
What actions did the animals take to make Pudding feel welcome? How do you think that made Pudding feel?
Why do you think it's important to be kind and welcoming to new people we meet?
How did the animals' opinions about Pudding change throughout the story? What made them change?
If you were in Jitterbug’s place, what would you have done differently, if anything?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use a warm and open tone to encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book.
Relate the story to your child’s personal experiences with meeting new friends or starting at a new school.
Discuss the value of empathy and kindness, linking them to examples from the story where characters showed these qualities.
Encourage your child to think about how they can be welcoming to new people they meet, drawing parallels to the actions of the characters in the book.
After discussing the book, engage in a role-play activity where you and your child take turns being the new person and the welcoming friend.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Change
Explanation: In 'The Someone New', the character Pudding the snail learns to accept a new animal who needs help, despite initial resistance. This demonstrates the importance of adapting to new situations.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to be open and adaptable when encountering new classmates or moving to a new environment.
Example Lesson: Compassion and Empathy
Explanation: The story shows Pudding and the forest creatures helping a newcomer, which highlights the values of kindness and understanding towards others.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of being considerate and kind, helping them to develop empathy by assisting others in need or standing up for someone who is being mistreated.
Example Lesson: Importance of Community Support
Explanation: The forest animals coming together to help illustrates the power of community and how collective efforts can make a difference.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value their own communities, recognizing how teamwork and cooperation are vital in achieving common goals, such as during group projects or community clean-ups.
Example Lesson: Overcoming Fear of the Unknown
Explanation: Pudding's initial fear of the new animal is overcome as he gets to know them, teaching that fear often stems from the unknown.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to face new challenges and unfamiliar situations with an open mind, instead of avoiding them due to fear.
Example Lesson: Resilience in Adversity
Explanation: As the new animal shares their story of needing to find a new home, it highlights resilience in tough times.
Real-World Application: It's a valuable lesson for children to understand that facing challenges is part of life, and that perseverance and courage are key to overcoming them.