TEACHING NOTES

Teacher DOWNLOAD these notes and more! Corner scholastic.com.au/teacher-corner LITTLE LION: A LONG WAY HOME

WRITTEN BY ILLUSTRATED BY BRUCE WHATLEY

A stunningly illustrated picture book of and use every resource and opportunity INTERCULTURAL Saroo Brierley’s extraordinary true story available. I went from a child without UNDERSTANDING / IDENTITY of survival dramatised in the award- the benefit of education to a strong Describe Saroo’s home in India. winning film, Lion, starring and healthy guy who wrote a book – and . Illustrated by multi-award- WOW! I hope that my story will bring Describe Saroo’s home in Tasmania. winning illustrator Bruce Whatley. Saroo enlightenment to you on many levels. Think about the different experiences became lost on a train in India at the age of children in different countries around of five. Not knowing the name of his Life is good. the world. How is life different for other family or hometown to find help, Saroo children? How is life the same? survived for weeks on the streets until he RESPONDING TO THE TEXT was taken to an orphanage and adopted How do you feel after reading the book? What do you think it would be like to go by a family in Tasmania, Australia. Despite What do you think of the story? Do you and live with another family in another being happy in his new home, Saroo know of any other true stories of being country where you didn’t speak the spent years searching on Google Earth lost and found? language? until he found his old village via grainy Have you ever had an experience of satellite images. Have you ever had that experience? being lost? What did you do? What What things would make you feel at Saroo says: Imagine being totally lost should you do? Do you know your family home? What things did the Brierleys do as a tiny child. It amazes me now when name and your address? Who should you to make Saroo feel at home? I think about how I managed to survive ask for help? and then thrive. What would be different? GEOGRAPHY What things would make you feel When I was on the streets, so hungry and Find India on a map. Use a physical map or welcome? alone, I wondered what would happen to Google Earth, both of which Saroo used me. Would I be okay? I was by myself every in his search. Draw a picture of yourself and give it the day, even though I was among thousands heading: Who am I? Write down some Find Saroo’s home town of Ganesh Talai of people. I truly had to trust and rely on of the things that make you special/ and the big city of Kolkata, where he my instincts. unique. Write down your dreams for ended up after his train journey as a yourself. What do you want to be when When I was taken to Liluah Home it was child. Display both of these on a map you grow up? almost a relief because I didn’t have to face of the world. the fear of the unknown. When I was given Share a story about a time you felt proud/ Find Hobart, Tasmania, on a map. the option of accepting a new family, I had achieved something, a story that reminds Display it on the map of the world that real hope for my future – I thought that you of a family time, a story about a you used above. maybe I would be loved and cared for again. journey you have taken. Bring in objects The idea that complete strangers would Discover 10 facts about India – the place, or photos to support your storytelling. want to look after me as their own son was people, food, culture – and 10 facts about Make a class display of your stories, a concept I could hardly believe. I am so glad Hobart, Tasmania. objects and photos I accepted the opportunity to become part of a family again, and to begin my new life. Compare the two and discuss the similarities and differences between I wrote this book to show how powerful the two places. you can be if you put your mind to it