The Story of the Treasure Seekers
#1 in Bastable Children Series
on Goodreads (6,556)
What’s inside...
Mr Bastable has lost all his money, so his children decide to look for treasure. They have many adventures and meet a lot of exciting people, but will they find the treasure they need to make their family rich again? And who is the man from India and can he help them? 'Penguin Readers' is a series of simplified novels, film novelizations and original titles that introduce students at all levels to the pleasures of reading in English. Originally designed for teaching English as a foreign language, the series' combination of high interest level and low reading age makes it suitable for both English-speaking teenagers with limited reading skills and students of English as a second language. Many titles in the series also provide access to the pre-20th century literature strands of the National Curriculum English Orders. 'Penguin Readers' are graded at seven levels of difficulty, from 'Easystarts' with a 200-word vocabulary, to Level 6 (Advanced) with a 3000-word vocabulary. In addition, titles fall into one of three sub-categories: 'Contemporary', 'Classics' or 'Originals'. At the end of each book there is a section of enjoyable exercises focusing on vocabulary building, comprehension, discussion and writing. Some titles in the series are available with an accompanying audio cassette, or in a book and cassette pack. Additionally, selected titles have free accompanying 'Penguin Readers Factsheets' which provide stimulating exercise material for students, as well as suggestions for teachers on how to exploit the Readers in class.
Character compass
Oswald Bastable
Alice Bastable
Dora Bastable
H.O. Bastable
Noel Bastable
Dickie Bastable
Uncle Albert
Mr. Bastable
Discussion points
What would you do if you were in the Bastable children's shoes, searching for a treasure? How would you make decisions?
Which of the Bastable siblings do you relate to the most and why?
What does the concept of 'treasure' mean to you? Is it always something material?
How do the children’s treasure hunting adventures teach them about the importance of family and teamwork?
If you could create your own adventure story, what would it be about and who would be in your team?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare their own thoughts and feelings with those of the characters to help them connect personally with the story.
Discuss the siblings' different strategies and choices in the book to help your child understand different perspectives and decision-making.
Use the theme of treasure seeking as a metaphor to explore broader life values with your child, such as what they cherish most.
After reading the book, engage in a creative activity together, like drawing a treasure map or writing a short story, to extend the themes of adventure and teamwork beyond the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Teamwork
Explanation: The Bastable children work together throughout the story to restore their family’s lost fortune. Despite challenges, their combined efforts highlight the power of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cooperate with siblings and peers to accomplish common goals, whether in school projects or shared household tasks.
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness
Explanation: Throughout their adventures, the Bastable siblings use their imagination and creativity to solve problems, demonstrating resourcefulness.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think creatively to overcome obstacles, enhancing problem-solving skills in everyday tasks and schoolwork.
Example Lesson: Handling Disappointment
Explanation: The children often face setbacks in their quest, but they learn to handle disappointment and persevere, showing resilience.
Real-World Application: Teaches children that not every effort leads to success, but persistent effort and learning from failures are important life skills.
Example Lesson: Ethics and Honesty
Explanation: In their quest for treasure, the Bastables face temptations to be dishonest. The story underscores the importance of integrity.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand the value of honesty in building trust and respect in relationships with family and friends.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The siblings learn to empathize with each other and with adults, understanding different perspectives and hardships.
Real-World Application: Promotes empathy by encouraging children to consider other people's feelings and viewpoints, fostering better interpersonal relationships and social skills.