SuitabookThe Lost Homework
Richard O’Neill, illustrated by Kirsti Beautyman
- Reading
- Read the story once for Sonny’s predicament, then revisit the illustrations and glossary. Invite the child to identify practical, creative and social skills without treating school learning and community learning as opposites.
- Themes
- Learning beyond school: Sonny’s weekend includes planning, calculating, performing, helping, making and caring for others; his teacher links these activities with school subjects. The story clearly values learning that occurs through participation in family and community life, rather than presenting homework as the only meaningful learning.
- Traveller community and representation: Sonny lives on a Traveller community site and takes part in a wedding and other shared activities; Romani or Traveller vocabulary is included with a glossary. The book presents the community positively and gives its customs, language and collective life a central place, though cultural explanation may not be comprehensive.
- Worth knowing
- Traveller language and customs are part of the story, with a glossary for unfamiliar words. You might want to explore terms respectfully rather than assuming the book explains every aspect of Traveller culture.