This year’s chosen story, The Truck Cat, written by Deborah Frenkel and illustrated by Danny Snell, gave us some powerful lessons about the value of identity and connection whilst also reinforcing the importance of treasuring one’s uniqueness and embracing that of others.
The Truck Cat is a heartwarming children’s story that follows Yacoub, a young boy who moves to a new community, and Tinka, a stray cat who becomes his loyal companion. Through their adventures, the story explores the key themes of identity, belonging, and the importance of friendship. Yacoub and Tinka’s bond highlights the value of empathy and kindness, as they navigate the challenges of adapting to a new environment together.
Engaging with this beautifully illustrated book, provided St Nicholas Early Education with a moment of reflection, inspiration and learning.
Our five takeaways
- Understanding how it feels to join a new community – by following the illustrations, children can unpack the challenges and rewards of joining a new community and the importance of welcoming newcomers with open arms.
- Finding friendship and companionship – seeing the friendship grow between Yacoub and Tinka, shows readers the value of friendship and companionship and how these meaningful connections can enrich our lives and provide invaluable support during times of change.
- Growing adaptability and resilience to change – the story highlights the significance of adaptability and resilience, encouraging readers to embrace change with a positive mindset and develop the strength to overcome obstacles.
- Showing empathy and kindness to others – empathy and kindness are central themes within The Truck Cat. Exploring these themes, reminds readers to act with consideration and compassion towards others, fostering a caring and inclusive community.
- Exploring one’s identity and sense of belonging – exploring self-exploration and celebrating identity, the story underscores the importance of understanding who we are and finding our place within the world. Sharing with readers the amazing diversification of our populations.
Reflecting on these themes and understanding how to incorporate them into our daily lives encouraged our learners to find ways to celebrate the people within their lives and cherish their own individuality.
Reading resources from St Nicholas Early Education
Foster a love of reading with your child. Access a range of resources from St Nicholas Early Education:
