Whispering Wildwood
#1 of 2 in The Wildwood Chronicles Series
on Goodreads (74)
What’s inside...
Korinne Woodsorrow is trapped in her parents' lumbermill and shunned by her village. Sacrificing her desires for a loved one, she faces the Whispering Wildwood, a forbidden forest of magical creatures. Disaster forces Korinne and her simple-minded brother into the wildwood on a perilous quest with a rogue pirate. As they encounter mystical beings and dangers, Korinne navigates trust, her future, her sexuality, and the evolving nature of their quest.
Discussion points
What do you think the forest creatures in Whispering Wildwood feel when they meet new friends?
How would you help a friend who is lost in the woods like the characters in the story?
Why do you think the trees in Whispering Wildwood whisper, and what do you imagine they say?
If you could create your own magical creature to live in the forest, what would it be like and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the Wildwood, asking how they would feel and react in similar situations.
Discuss the importance of friendship and helping others, drawing parallels from the story to real-life scenarios.
Invite your child to draw their version of Whispering Wildwood or a new magical creature mentioned in your discussion.
Use expressive reading to bring the characters and the magical forest to life, enhancing the mystical aspect of the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'Whispering Wildwood,' the characters must work together to solve the mysteries of the forest. Their cooperation is key to overcoming challenges throughout the story.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities or projects, learning to collaborate effectively with others to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Courage in facing the unknown
Explanation: The protagonist is often faced with unfamiliar and sometimes frightening scenarios but demonstrates courage by confronting these challenges head-on.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to face new or intimidating situations with bravery, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and explore new experiences.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The story deeply integrates themes of nature's beauty and power, illustrating how the characters grow a profound respect for their environment and its inhabitants.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of environmental stewardship, understanding how to respect and protect the natural world around them.
Example Lesson: The value of curiosity
Explanation: Curiosity drives the characters to explore and discover the secrets of Wildwood, highlighting how asking questions and seeking knowledge leads to important revelations and personal growth.
Real-World Application: Encourage children to be inquisitive about their surroundings, to learn continuously and grow their understanding of the world.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As characters interact with each other and face various emotional challenges, they learn to understand and empathize with different perspectives.
Real-World Application: This can help children develop empathy, enabling them to better understand and connect with the feelings of others in their real-life interactions.