14
TEACH READING & WRITING
1
HIDDENDEPTHS
Friendship, loss, memory, war and hope – children’s books get to the
heart of what it is tobe human, sowhy not explore theirmany layers
of meaningwith your class, suggests
Carey Fluker Hunt...
What’s the story?
Oscar is amer-boy. The Sea
Tiger is his best (and only)
friend, and they spend their
days playing in an underwater
paradise. But things can’t stay
the same forever. Oscar needs
to growup andmove on – and to
be a true friend, the Sea Tiger
must help him.
Delicately drawn and
with amuted colour palette,
Victoria Turnbull’s illustrations
possess a quiet exuberance
that’s complemented by her
poetic text.
Deep thinking
Themes include friendship,
caring, understanding
someone else’s needs, loss,
growth and change.
Try this…
●
Talk about the changes
your children have experienced,
and how these experiences
made themfeel (e.g. starting
school, moving house, losing a
pet…). How canwe help each
other through difficult times,
as well as enjoying the good
things together?
●
Pretend to be the Sea
Tiger andfindways for himto
move and speak and roar. Use
chalky pastels andwatered-
down inks to create your
own underwater pictures. If
the children could have an
imaginary animal friend, what
would they choose andwhat
adventures would they have?
●
How should we treat our
human friends to show them
we care?
The Sea
Tiger
BYVICTORIATURNBULL
(Templar)
10
CAREY FLUKER HUNT
is creative projects manager at Seven Stories
books with
Foundation Stage
