The Thing Lou Couldn't Do

Name: The Thing Lou Couldn't Do
Author: Ashley Spires

A story that explores courage and opens a conversation with your child.

★★★★★ Loved by families

Read the Guiding Questions Find this book →

♥ This book teaches: Courage. doing what is right even when it is hard.

Before, During & After Reading

Guiding Questions for Parents.

Definition: Courage is being willing to face something hard or scary, like trying to do something you’ve never done before. In short: Do good, try hard even when it’s scary. Summary: Lou and her friends like adventures. One day, her friends decide to build a pirate ship in a tree. While everyone is excited about this new plan, Lou is hesitant because she’s afraid to climb the tree. Instead of telling her friends she is scared, she makes all kinds of excuses for not joining in. Finally, after telling her friends she’s scared, Lou decides to try. Unfortunately, she can’t do it, not yet anyway. But maybe someday she can. Why? Because she loves adventure! Lesson Objectives:

This is an upbeat message about developing the courage to try new things, even though it can be scary. Students demonstrate more interest in not giving up on the things that challenge them. They are encouraged to see these challenges as adventures.

Guiding Questions:

What was the thing that Lou couldn’t do?
What are some of the pretend adventures they have?
Lou’s friends want to do something but she is the only one who is afraid. How do you think she feels about that?
Does Lou tell her friends that she’s afraid at first?
Lou makes up excuses for not joining them. What does she tell them? “I can’t because __________.”
Does Lou try to climb the tree?
Do you think Lou will give up on climbing the tree or will she keep on trying?
Is there something you’re afraid to do? What is it?
Do you think you’ll keep trying to do something that is difficult? Why or why not?
Is there something you were afraid to try but tried anyway and did it?

🌿 Virtue Connection: Courage means acting on what is right even in the presence of fear.

About the Story.

This guide is part of the Values & Virtues library, a free collection of 400+ book guides and activities organized around 12 core virtues for children from pre-K to 6th grade. Each guide includes Guiding Questions designed to open a real conversation with your child in 10 minutes or less.