The Return of Thelma the Unicorn
Themes Friendship Confidence Happiness
The Return of Thelma the Unicorn By Aaron Blabey
Thelma is back! The Return of Thelma the Unicorn (Blabey, 2019), is the sequel to best selling “Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey. Thelma’s fans miss her, so with help from her friend/bodyguard Otis, Thelma returns to the spotlight to spread love and joy with renewed confidence and support from her best friend (Blabey, 2019). Three main themes stand out in this delightful book1. Confidence – “she felt so brave and happy, she could always… shake it off” (Blabey, 2019, p. 2425). 2. Happiness – “You made people happy. They felt cheerful for awhile” (Blabey, 2019, p.10). 3. Friendship – “ But this time Thelma had her friend and that’s what made it work” (Blabey, 2019, p.18).
Friendship Early Childhood
Younger Readers
Picture book
Older Readers
Confidence
Early Childhood
Picture book
Younger Readers
Older Readers
Happiness Early Childhood
Younger Readers
Picture book
Older Readers
Theme Rationale: Friendship Friendships are a large part of children’s lives and play an important role in their development. Through friendships, children learn how to deal with conflict and get along with other people, which are important life skills (Raising Children Network, 2019). The Australian Curriculum (Australian Curriculum Assessment & Reporting Authority, n.d. b) from Foundation to Year 6 focuses on relationships in the Health and Physical Education learning area. Children’s literature provides an opportunity for these relationships to be modelled. Reading and discussing texts that focus on friendships allows students to “experience and evaluate a range of personal and social behaviours and perspectives and develop connections and empathy with characters in different social contexts” as stated in the Australian Curriculum Personal and social capability (ACARA, n.d. c, Personal & Social Capability learning areas: English, para.18). Through the use of carefully selected books, children can explore language use and how to communicate with others (ACARA, n.d. a). Friendship themed books allow children to engage with appropriate behaviours, other people’s feelings and emotions and empathy (Vermont Family Network, 2014). Friendship themed books are a valuable tool for helping children learn about making and keeping friends.
Synopsis The Sloth Who Came to Stay Friendship
The Sloth Who Came to Stay (Wild & To, 2017) is a charming, simple narrative that explores how the simple things in life can bring happiness. Amy, a young girl in a speedy family, brings home a Sloth, that slowly starts to change her family. The family enjoyed the Sloth staying with them – “Sloth stayed for three glorious weeks” (Wild & To, 2017, p.24-25). The theme of happiness is most prominent through the detailed illustrations on pages 24 and 25, where the family can be seen smiling, laughing and enjoying spending quality time together. Suitable for children aged 3 to 6 years old.
Synopsis Giraffes Can’t Dance Confidence
Giraffes can’t dance (Andreae & Parker-Rees, 2000) is a lovely story featuring Gerald, a rather clumsy but lovable Giraffe. Gerald would love nothing than to dance beautifully like the other animals, but Gerald believes he is bad at dancing- “because when it came to dancing he was really very bad” (Andreae & ParkerRees, 2000, p.6). With help from a friendly cricket Gerald finds the confidence to dance in his own special way – “We all can dance, he said, when we find music that we love” (Andreae & Parker-Rees, 2000, p.29). Suitable for children aged 3 to 7 years.
Synopsis Room on the Broom Friendship
Room on the Broom (Donaldson & Scheffler, 2001) is a heart-warming tale about a friendly witch and her unlikely group of friends. When asked – “Is there room on the broom for me?” (Donaldson & Scheffler, 2001, p.4,8 &11), making room for all of them on the broom. When they all encounter a big bully dragon that wants to eat the witch, it is her friends that save her (Donaldson & Scheffler, 2001, p.17), demonstrating what it means to be a true friend. Suitable for children aged 3 to 6 years old.
Synopsis Misery Guts Happiness
Misery guts is a hilariously funny book about a twelveyear-old boy called Keith. Set in gloomy England with his miserable parents, Keith attempts to cheer them up. Despite the title suggesting otherwise the main theme of the book is happiness. Juxtaposition features in this novel highlighting the theme of happiness, with the story being told from Keith’s happy point of view and his gloomy parents being represented as the total opposite. Keith tries hard to help his parents towards a happier life for his sake and theirs- “Great thought Keith, here I am trying to come up with ways to cheer them up, and Dad remembers another thing to be miserable about� (Gleitzman, 1991, p.20).