Wood for the Winter
What’s inside...
Christopher loves helping his granddad and the two of them share a special bond. But when Granddad dies, Christopher has to look deep within himself to find a way to keep his memories alive.
Age
4-8
Length
28 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What did the animals do to prepare for winter in the story, and why do you think they did that?
How did the animals work together, and what can we learn from them about helping each other?
What do you think is the most important thing the animals needed for winter and why?
If you were one of the animals in the book, who would you want to be and why?
How do you think the animals felt when they had everything ready for winter?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading tones and animated facial expressions to bring the story to life and keep your child engaged.
Pause after key events in the story to ask your child how they think the characters are feeling or what they might do next.
After reading, relate the story to your child's experiences by discussing any occasions where they needed to prepare or work together with others.
Encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene or character from the book, then discuss why they chose it.
Explore the theme of teamwork by planning a small, fun project to do together after reading, emphasizing cooperation just like the characters in the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness
Explanation: In 'Wood for the Winter,' the characters work together to gather wood to prepare for the cold season, showcasing problem-solving and resourceful thinking.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of preparing ahead and using available resources efficiently to solve problems in their daily lives.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The story emphasizes the importance of collaborating and helping each other, as the characters combine their efforts to collect enough wood.
Real-World Application: Kids understand the value of working with others to achieve common goals, whether in school projects or family tasks.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Despite challenges, the characters persist in their wood gathering task, demonstrating determination.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the significance of persisting through difficulties to accomplish necessary tasks, encouraging resilience.
Example Lesson: Planning and Organization
Explanation: The characters in the book plan their tasks and organize their roles in wood gathering, highlighting the benefits of good planning.
Real-World Application: Children learn to apply planning and organization skills in their studies and personal responsibilities to achieve better outcomes.
Example Lesson: Sharing and Generosity
Explanation: Once they have enough wood, the characters share with others in their community who need it, teaching the moral of generosity.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to share resources and help others in need, promoting a sense of community and empathy.