Sunnyville is perfect. It twinkles with total loveliness. Until Rhino drops a toffee wrapper! “What? It’s only one!” he says. Soon things are messier, noisier and a whole lot grumpier! Can anyone save the day?
A great book to teach children that a little care for your local environment and taking time to think of those around you, makes for a joyful world for all.
Watch Lisa read the story:
Ways to explore the story with your child
- As you are reading or watching the story together, talk about all the lovely things you can see in Sunnyville and compare it to your local area. Ask your child to think about what they like about where they live, for example, the park or having friends nearby.
- Encourage your child to join in with the repeated phrase ‘It’s only one’.
- Ask your child questions about the story, for example, “What should Rhino have done with the wrapper?” Why were all the animals grumpy?” and “What was Mouse’s plan?”
- Talk about how our small actions, even doing one thing, can have a big impact on those around us and our environment.
Eco-friendly play!
After you have finished the story, try these activities together:
- Create your own plan: think of some things that you can do together to make a difference to where you live or to be thoughtful. This could include picking up rubbish in the park, planting a flower, saying something kind to somebody or helping someone with a small task. Discuss how even doing one thing can make a big difference.
- Recycle: get your child involved in recycling and sorting out the rubbish. Explain how some materials, such as paper, glass and plastic can be put in special bins to be recycled. You could play the Recycle Roundup game and help Gus clean up the park.
- Recycled modelling: help your child to use some packaging that you no longer need to make a model. You could use a milk carton to create a space rocket or an egg box to create a dragon. Try joining pieces together using glue or tape.
- Songs and rhymes: As you are walking around your local area, encourage your child to see how many plants and flowers they can spot. Try singing these songs Mary, Mary Quite Contrary , Lavender Blue or make up your own.
- Earth Cubs app: download the free Earth Cubs app, which has puzzles, videos and comics to support your child’s environmental learning.
- Talk about climate change: use the page on Words for Life to talk to your child about climate change and get some ideas from some other books on the topic.
Join in with Lisa
Chat and play along with Lisa as she explores the themes in the book:
For older children
Find out more about climate change and looking after the environment. You could visit the library or look at the following websites:
