The Comet by Joe Todd-Stanton is a beautiful, magical and heartfelt picturebook that’s based on the creator’s own experiences. It touches on the memories of moving house, what makes a ‘home’, and finding it in new surroundings.
The perfect text to share with children (especially when encountering new experiences) across Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2, it delicately explores the impact of important moments and how they can affect children’s sense of belonging and provide wonderful adventures.
This PDF contains lots of cross-curricular activities to try, all based on the text.
What is The Comet by Joe Todd-Stanton about?
In the story, we see the main character, a young girl called Nyla, leaving her home in the countryside. She’s starting life again in the city, because her dad needs to find a new job.
But when they arrive and start to settle in, there are a lot of unforeseen changes to their lives that they have to negotiate. All Nyla can do is think about everything that she misses from before.
One night outside her window, however, she spots a comet soaring in the skies that glows and grows. It transports her up and away from the city streets.
As her dad starts to share in the magic of the meteorite, they soon realise that this could be the thing that not only brings them back together but also makes them finally feel at home.
Join them as they show us that no matter where you go, home is always where your heart is…
Scott Evans is a primary school teacher, reading for pleasure adviser and children’s books consultant. He is also the author of 100 Ideas for Primary Teachers: Reading for Pleasure, published by Bloomsbury in 2023. Follow Scott on Twitter @MrEPrimary. Browse more recommended KS2 books for topics.
