Whispers of the Enchanted Forest
What’s inside...
From international poetry sensation Nikita Gill comes her highly anticipated YA debut, 'These Are the Words.' This empowering, feminist poetry collection is beautifully illustrated and explores various themes that Nikita wished she had understood when she was younger. Through seasonal, astrological poetry and personal illustrations by Nikita, the collection takes readers on a journey through the seasons of the soul. It offers words to heal from heartbreak, celebrate family, understand love, express emotions, and embrace one's true self. This achingly beautiful, stunningly warm, and fearless expression of truth stands as a testament to Nikita Gill's influential voice in modern poetry.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
12-18
Length
192 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What magical creature would you like to be friends with and why?
How do you think the forest feels when it's called 'enchanted'?
What lessons did the characters learn about friendship in the story?
How can we help protect magical places like the enchanted forest in our world?
If you had a magical power to help someone, what would it be and how would you use it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to bring the magical elements of the story to life, making the narrative more immersive for your child.
Discuss the moral of the story and relate it to real-life situations to help children apply the lessons learned.
Encourage children to imagine their own enchanted forest and describe what it looks like, helping them develop creative thinking.
After reading, engage in a creative activity like drawing their favorite scene or character from the book to deepen their connection with the story.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next or suggest an alternative ending, fostering critical thinking and storytelling skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and bravery
Explanation: The protagonist of 'Whispers of the Enchanted Forest' faces various challenges and learns to confront them with courage. This is depicted through their journey in the mystical forest filled with unusual and sometimes frightening creatures.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to face their own fears and challenges, whether it’s trying out new activities, standing up for themselves or others, or overcoming personal obstacles.
Example Lesson: Friendship and trust
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters form alliances and friendships that are built on trust and mutual respect, despite initial differences and misunderstandings.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of building and maintaining trust in relationships, and shows them how to work cooperatively with others who may be different from themselves in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature
Explanation: The enchanted forest is portrayed as a living entity that thrives on respect and care from its inhabitants. The protagonist learns to interact with the environment in a way that is mindful and respectful.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of environmental conservation and are encouraged to take actions that respect and protect nature, such as recycling, conserving water, or planting trees.
Example Lesson: Curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge
Explanation: The main character’s journey is driven by a quest for knowledge about the mystical elements of the forest. This curiosity leads to numerous discoveries and personal growth.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to be inquisitive and enthusiastic learners in their everyday lives, actively seeking knowledge and understanding in school, in nature, or in their interactions with others.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As the protagonist encounters various creatures, they learn to understand and empathize with their situations and perspectives, which is crucial in resolving conflicts in the story.
Real-World Application: This helps children appreciate the perspectives of others and encourages them to practice empathy in their everyday interactions, fostering a more harmonious and understanding environment.