Beegu

Product Information

Along with The Doll's House by Rumer Godden, this child's picture book demonstrates the aristotelian concept of "catharsis" as well as any other work of drama/fiction I've encountered, and shows exactly how powerful children's literature can be. It can encourage children’s creativity in art as they design and make Beegu figures, as well as making alien friends for Beegu to play with.

Beegu's spirits are sinking lower than ever just as the mother ship arrives, in this simple, bittersweet picture book that shows us our world through the three eyes of an innocent outsider with the help of stylish art and a wry, understated text. This book teaches the importance of being kind to others and welcoming others into a new environment. But the only friendly people she comes across are the children, while the big Earth creatures just don’t seem to understand. Then she encounters young kids on the playground who accept her as a friend; that is until a teacher comes and kicks her off the playground. It can lead to discussions about confusion, loneliness, abandonment, getting lost and the way people treat each other.The illustrations are brilliant and therefore useful to look at with children because they link clearly with the story and can express emotions to children. Here she seems sad from the way her, what looks like ears, are drooped back like a sad dog, as well as sadness in her eyes.

Unfortunately a dog shelter owner and a primary school teacher put a stop to her adventure in the school and again is left to be alone.

These questions could be explored with the class a discussion and/or as an opportunity for the class to create their own narrative for the reasons behind these remaining puzzles. Waiting for a rescue signal from her mother, she fails to make friends with the strange creatures she encounters.