Over the last fortnight we have studied with The Story about Ping, though we don’t read it daily, in a row.  (Older children don’t seem to connect with that aspect of FIAR!)  They do like it read more than once during our study time but in between times I try and find other picture books that may enhance our day’s lesson.

On the day we looked at the Animal Kingdom – ducks,  I read Pamela Allen’s book, Alexander’s Outing.  It had been a long time since I had read it and it was a treat.  Not only did I thoroughly enjoy the story I saw parallels to Ping immediately.  So if you like to add an Australian flavour to your Ping studies I highly recommend this book.

These are the themes found in this book and in Ping

• Ducks
• Family relationships (just immediate family, not cousins)
• Instead of seeing the Yangtze River, this family sees Sydney
• Literary Technique – Repetition
• Not hearing / Consequences
• Buoyancy

Plus a great one for team work and problem solving.