Vanilla Fudge (Hippo Animal)
Hippo Animal Stories Series
What’s inside...
Lizzie has always wanted a dog of her own. So has Hannah. But that's all the two girls have in common. That is, until they both come to love the same puppy, and that's when their problems start.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
176 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Vanilla Fudge feels when she meets new friends in the story?
How do you think the other animals feel about Vanilla Fudge?
What would you do if you were in Vanilla Fudge's place?
Why is it important to be kind and helpful like Vanilla Fudge?
What did you learn from Vanilla Fudge's adventures?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the questions, encourage your child to empathize with Vanilla Fudge by asking how they would feel in similar situations.
Point out specific scenes from the book and ask your child to describe what’s happening, helping them to connect emotionally with the characters.
Praise your child's responses to reinforce their understanding and confidence in expressing their thoughts.
Relate the themes of the book to your child’s daily life, which will help them apply the lessons learned from Vanilla Fudge’s story.
Encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite part of the book, which will aid in deepening their connection and understanding of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: In 'Vanilla Fudge', the protagonist, a young hippo, learns to understand and empathize with other animals' feelings and perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to recognize and respect the feelings and viewpoints of others, promoting harmonious interactions in school and at play.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: Throughout the story, Vanilla Fudge encounters various challenges that he must overcome using creative and thoughtful solutions.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and creatively when faced with obstacles, fostering resilience and adaptability.
Example Lesson: Importance of friendship
Explanation: The book highlights the value of friendships and how friends can help each other in tough times.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of building and maintaining friendships, which can provide emotional support and enrich their lives.
Example Lesson: Courage to face fears
Explanation: Vanilla Fudge demonstrates bravery when confronting things that scare him, showing that it's okay to feel afraid but still important to face fears.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that feeling fear is natural, but overcoming those fears can lead to personal growth and confidence.
Example Lesson: Joy in helping others
Explanation: The story illustrates how Vanilla Fudge experiences happiness by helping other animals in need.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to engage in acts of kindness and altruism, experiencing the inherent rewards of helping others.