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Video Review: Nim's Island
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Fearless Girl Reaches Out to Fearful Friend.
A new school, new teacher and new classmates threaten to overwhelm your son. He gets lost on the way to the library. His teacher is moving through the lessons faster than he can manage. And he’s the “only” one without a friend on the playground. He’s way outside his comfort zone.
Before he suffers a total meltdown, you suggest something radical: that he ask for help. At first, he is horrified. Admit his weaknesses? Never! But the failing math test grade he gets a few days later brings a change of heart. He shows up for an after-school tutoring session – and discovers he’s not alone! He quickly connects with his fellow struggling classmates and some budding friendships are formed.
Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is ask for help – and the results can be wonderful! It’s a life lesson your child will do well to learn early. And it’s a concept that serves the young star of Nim’s Island well when she’s faced with a crisis. Now available on home video from Fox Home Entertainment, Nim’s Island is based on the best-selling children’s book by Wendy Orr. Enjoy Nim’s South Pacific adventure with your family, then talk about it with our Talk Together ideas. Then help your child reap the rewards of helping others with our Help Ahoy! activity in Play Together.
On a secret tropical island, 11-year-old Nim lives an idyllic life with her scientist father, Jack, a lizard named Fred, a sea lion named Selkie, a pelican named Galileo and a sea turtle named Chica. Her mother, an oceanographer, was swallowed by a whale years ago. When Jack heads out to sea to track a rare type of plankton, the fiercely independent Nim begs to stay by herself on the island. Reluctantly, Jack agrees, promising to return in two days. They plan to keep in touch via satellite phone.
But that evening a violent storm hits. Jack’s satellite dish is destroyed and his boat is disabled. Nim, worried about her dad, turns her attention to answering his e-mails – including one from her favorite author/adventurer, Alex Rover. Nim eagerly answers Alex’s questions about the island as research for “his” newest book. What Nim doesn’t know is that Alex is really Alexandra, an agoraphobic writer who is holed up in her San Francisco house unable to venture even as far as the mailbox.
In the meantime, Nim must battle invading “buccaneers,” the unscrupulous crew of a passing cruise ship. The captain has decided to turn Nim’s beach into an afternoon destination for the ship’s passengers. Fearing for her safety – and wanting to preserve the isolation and beauty of her island – Nim teams up with her animal friends to scare away the passengers and crew.
When Nim is injured, she pleads with Alex to come help her. Alex battles her overwhelming fears, travel difficulties and a typhoon to get to the frightened Nim. Alex finally arrives on the island and promises to take care of Nim, no matter what happens with her missing dad. Eventually, Jack is able to repair his boat and return to his daughter and their new friend. And Alex decides that living an adventure is a lot more fun than just writing about one.
Talk Together
What does Nim love about living on her island? What might she miss because she’s out in the middle of the ocean? What would you like about living on an island? What would you miss about your old home?
Nim can do a lot of things on her own: cook the family’s meals, reconnect the electricity, battle invading “buccaneers.” Why does she need Alex’s help? Name some situations when it might be a good idea to ask for help.
One of Nim’s favorite things to do is read books by her favorite author, the adventurer Alex Rover. How does she feel when she meets the real Alex? Tell about a time when someone did not live up to your expectations. Did you feel angry? Disappointed? Should you give someone another chance when he or she lets you down? Why or why not?
Play Together: Help Ahoy!
Set sail on a family adventure where it pays to have all hands on deck!
You will need:
- Beach towels (1 per person)
- 10 Toothpicks
- 10 Marshmallows
- 10 Large cereal pieces
- Fruits or vegetables (1 different piece per person)
Each player should sit down on a beach towel, which represents his or her own island. Distribute the toothpicks to one player, marshmallows to another player, cereal pieces to another and a piece of fruit or vegetable to each player. Instruct the players to build an object with their supplies. Suggest something like an elephant or an airplane. They will soon realize that, working alone, they are pretty limited in what they can create. Recommend that they work together on another construction assignment. Take pictures of their finished creations. Remind your “crew” that asking for help takes courage – but the results are well worth it!
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