The Think-Ups!
on Goodreads (76)
What’s inside...
When you can’t go outside to play, it’s time to call on your imagination—and summon all the marvelous creatures you can think up. What’s there to do when you’re stuck inside on a rainy day? If you’re like Kiki, with a big imagination, you teach your sister how to play the Think-Ups. It’s easy: you take turns thinking up any animal you like (A bunny! A moose! An octopus! A koala!) and, just like that, that creature (or several of them) will appear. In a blink, your house will be overflowing with hopping, hungry, messy Think-Ups. Quick, Kiki! What are the rules for ending the game? A charming story about keeping boredom at bay, with sure appeal for little animal lovers and creative thinker-uppers.
Age
3-7
Length
40 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What would you create if you had a Think-Up? How would it help others?
Which Think-Up from the book was your favorite and why?
How do the characters in the book work together to solve problems?
Do you think there's a limit to what you can imagine? Why or why not?
How did the story make you feel? Would you change any part of it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to visualize their own Think-Ups by drawing or describing them.
Relate the story to your child’s experiences by asking if they've ever solved a problem creatively like the characters in the book.
Prioritize listening; allow your child to express their thoughts and ideas about the book fully before responding.
Use follow-up questions to delve deeper into your child’s understanding and feelings about the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: In 'The Think-Ups!', children use their creativity to invent imaginary friends, demonstrating the power of imagination.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by using their imagination to solve problems or create new games, enhancing their creative thinking skills.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: The story showcases how children come up with solutions to include their imaginary friends in games, illustrating effective problem solving.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children learn to think critically and find solutions in real-life situations, such as resolving conflicts with peers or overcoming obstacles in schoolwork.
Example Lesson: Sharing and Cooperation
Explanation: As characters in the book share their imaginary friends and cooperate to play games, they demonstrate the importance of sharing and working together.
Real-World Application: Kids can use this lesson to improve their social interactions by sharing and cooperating with others in group activities or team projects at school.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: The mutual acceptance of each other’s imaginary friends teaches empathy and understanding towards others’ ideas and feelings.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be more empathetic and understanding towards their peers, fostering a supportive and inclusive environment.
Example Lesson: Joy of Reading
Explanation: The enthusiasm the characters show towards creating stories for their Think-Ups highlights the joy of reading and storytelling.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to engage more with books and storytelling, improving their literacy skills and finding enjoyment in reading.