Reasons for selection and synopsis
Mr Hoppy really loves his neighbour Mrs Silver, and Mrs Silver really loves her tortoise, Alfie. One day Mrs Silver asks Mr Hoppy how to
make Alfie grow, and suddenly Mr Hoppy knows the way to win her heart. With the help of a magical spell and some cabbage
leaves, can Mr Hoppy be happy at last?

Before reading…
Ask the children to look at the front cover. What do you think the book will be about? What things can you see on the front cover?
What sort of story will it be? Who might enjoy it? Think of the title Esio Trot. What is it backwards?
Now read the blurb. What does this tell you about the story? Make some predictions about what might happen in the story.
Look at the author Roald Dahl. Do you know any of his other stories? Which ones can you name?

Pages 1 – 5

Vocabulary 

What does retired mean?
What phrase on Page 1 shows that the flowers are beautiful?
What does ‘jutted’ mean?
What are ‘endearments’?

Infer 

How old could Mr Hoppy be? How do you know?
Why did the distance feel like a million miles to Mr Hoppy?
Why does Mr Hoppy want to do something such as save Mrs Silver?

Predict 

At the end of Page 1, predict Mr Hoppy’s secret love.
Predict whether Mr Hoppy will ever tell Mrs Silver that he secretly loves her.

Explain 

Explain how Dahl makes you feel sorry for Mr Hoppy.

Retrieve 

Where does Mr Hoppy live?
Who lives below Mr Hoppy?
Why hadn’t Mr Hoppy told Mrs Silver that he loved her?
Who does Mrs Silver love?

Summarise 

Sum up your first impression of Mr Hoppy in one word and explain your choice.

Pages 6-10

Vocabulary 

What is hibernating?
Define ‘beaming’.

Infer 

Why do you think Mrs Silver puts hay in Alfie’s house when he’s hibernating?
Why does Mr Hoppy’s heart ache?

Predict 

Read the first paragraph of Page 8. Predict what will change Mr Hoppy’s life.

Explain 

Explain what the illustrations add to these pages.

Retrieve 

How does Mrs Silver keep Alfie safe?
When does Mr Hoppy most wish he was a tortoise? Why?
Who does Mrs Hoppy think is gorgeous?

Summarise 

Summarise

whether you think Alfie has a good life in less than 100 words.

Pages 11 – 15

Vocabulary 

Define ‘solemnly’.
What does envy mean? Can you think of any synonyms?

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