Notes for Parents and Teachers
The underlying tenet is that it does not matter what colour or shape we are, our parents still love us and care for us, and so does God. The stories provide a stimulus for discussion with the child about incidents in their own lives. The illustrations have additional information and are an important part of the story so the child can learn to observe more carefully, e.g. Find the pet beetle in each picture.
THE STORM
Children can be frightened by the unknown. Help them to discuss their fears and show them how to make the experience fun.
Observe: Billy’s beetle-train, the toadstool table and chairs. There is humor as Beetle is eating the table for his tea.
Activity: Try preparing and eating some “thunder and lightning.”
No one is perfect, except God, so we should be kind and thoughtful when speaking about other people. Try pointing a finger as Billy did, to see the others pointing back.
Observe: The pandanus fruit houses with their chimneys, the man going fishing.
Activity: Play “Hide and Seek” and make a matchbox pram.
BILLY AND JILLY
HAVE AN ADVENTURE
Rules are made for a purpose and if we disobey them there may be unpleasant consequences.
Observe: Beetle is hiding in a kurrajong flower; discarded objects can be recycled. There is humor, too, as Daddy’ fish jumps back into the river when he is not looking.
Activity: Pretend that a favorite doll or teddy-bear is Jilly. Let the child try bandaging her bruises and scratches.
Why is it so important to listen? What might happen if we do not make time to stop and listen? Show how important it is to listen to information about which spiders should be avoided.
Observe: The friendly spider lets down the curtain at night; Beetle plays with Grandma’s ball of wool when she drops it.
Activity: Go for a walk and look at spider webs and how they are made; draw a web.
A SURPRISE FOR MUMMY
It is good to do something special for someone else. It makes us feel good too.
Observe: The table is made from a matchbox; the lamp beside the shell-mirror is one shell stuck on top of another. Sometimes these can be found on the beach.
Activity: Make a matchbox table or chest of drawers, using paper clips for knobs. Line the drawers with cotton-wool and collect small pebbles, shells or insects to keep in the drawers.