The Gecko and the Echo

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Goldy wants one thing, and one thing only – to be a STAR. On the sunny island this gecko calls home, it’s always THE GOLDY SHOW, morning ’til night.

But when you’re dazzled by the limelight, it’s easy to lose sight of the world around you. And when Goldy’s performance starts to go wrong, the little gecko discovers that friendship means so much more than fame. Because when you treat the world with love, then love will come echoing back.

English:

• Could you use a similar rhyming title as the inspiration for your own story (e.g. The Dog and the Log, The Gorilla and the Chinchilla)?
• Think of some speech / thought bubbles to add to the illustrations. What might Goldy (and the other animals in the pictures) be saying or thinking?
• Write a jungle newspaper article about Goldy’s adventure for the other animals to read.
• Retell the story from Goldy’s point of view, reflecting on his experiences throughout the story.
• Retell the story from the point of view of another gecko living on the island.
• Write a letter from one of the geckos to Goldy to ask him to stop being so loud and explain how his behaviour is affecting them.
• Create a set of instructions to teach people how to look after a pet gecko.
• Make a rhyming poem about geckos.
• Act out different scenes from the story. How does Goldy’s behaviour change?
• Write a sequel to this book. What other adventures might Goldy have?
• Rachel Bright reads her book in the following video. What questions would you like to ask her about the book and / or about being an author?

Science:

• Find out about geckos. Where do they live? How are they adapted to living in that environment? What do they eat?
• Create a food chain / web that includes geckos.
• Learn about sound waves and how echoes are formed.
• Set up an experiment to show how echoes work, using cups and string, or by clapping in different spaces around your school.

Computing:

• Use publishing / design software to create an album cover for some of Goldy’s songs.
• Design some tickets for a music performance by Goldy.
• Make an animation of a gecko moving through its habitat.
• Use audio software to investigate how sounds can be repeated to make the effect of an echo.

Design Technology:

• Make a model of Goldy or the tropical island where he lives.
• Design a gecko-themed toy.

Art:

• Choose an illustration from the book and draw the scene from Goldy’s point of view.
• Create your own pictures of geckos and other animals that might live on the same island as Goldy.
• Create some illustrations that show Goldy’s behaviour before and after he meets the butterfly.
• Design a new cover for this book.
• Create a comic strip that retells this story.
• Create an ‘echo’ artwork that uses repeated patterns or mirrored images like echoes in sound.

Music:

• Compose a melody to accompany Goldy’s song at the start of the story.
• Compose a short piece of ‘echo music’ where a phrase is repeated in different ways.
• Follow along with this sing-along video based on the book. Could you make your own song based on your favourite book?

Geography:

• Create a map of Goldy’s island and add labels to indicate the various locations featured in the story.
• Map the locations where geckos are found worldwide.
• Study tropical island environments and their unique features.
• Discuss the impact of tourism on natural habitats.

Physical Education:

• Create some dances to accompany Goldy’s songs.
• Try to move and balance like a gecko.

PSHE:

• Goldy goes on a journey of ‘self-discovery’. What does this mean? Think of a time when you have discovered something about yourself.
• At the start of the story, the author describes Goldy as flamboyant, expressive and unique. What words would you use to describe yourself (or your friends)?
• Goldy believes that if he practises, he will go far. What do you enjoy practising? How does this help you to improve?
• The Koa butterfly says, “Greatness – it’s not WHAT you do, but HOW you are doing it… that matters too!” What does this mean?
• Is it more important to be heard or to listen? Discuss your opinions with others.