During the summer, our children’s ministry team will share a book we love each week with questions and activities for children to engage with the book and its lessons. We encourage you to find these books at your favorite library or bookstore and read them with your whole family—since these lessons apply for all ages and stages of life!
Three Hens and a Peacock by Lester Laminack
A hilarious read-aloud favorite about some foolish farm animals who decide to trade roles―and discover just how hard it is to do someone else’s job.
The Tuckers’ farm is a peaceful place where everyone has a job and no one complains—that is, until a hapless peacock falls off the back of a passing truck and stirs things up. Soon, customers are flocking to the farm to see what all the fuss is about. But the hens don’t like the newcomer getting attention while they do all the hard work. When a wise old hound sees the problem, he helps orchestrate a job swap.
What follows is the riotous tale of three hens who get in way over their feathered heads and one very distressed peacock who just can’t figure out how to lay an egg. Lester Laminack has created a comical look at envy, finding your strength, and what happens when we underestimate the value of others’ work.
Main Focus: God created us all as uniquely gifted to do different jobs.
Questions:
- Why didn’t the peacock know what to do when he got to the farm?
- Why did the peacock feel bad about not being useful?
- Why did the old hound suggest that the peacock and hens trade jobs
- What made the peacock decide to squeeze out of the henhouse and go back to the road?
- I wonder what kinds of things you do that make you feel useful?
- What did the hens learn about the peacock’s job?
Activity: Help straighten up the worship centers. (test markers and sharpen pencils), Find something to do this week that makes you feel useful. Help with the dishes, play with your younger sibling, or make something special for your parents or grandparents.