About This Book
Reach for this book when you want to explore themes of resourcefulness and bravery with your child. It is a classic survival tale where a young girl must rely on her own quick thinking and the help of a small friend to outsmart a larger, more powerful adversary. The story captures the tension of being in a tight spot and the triumph of finding a clever way out. While the book follows a traditional adventure structure similar to a fable, it focuses on the protagonist's resilience. The story is best suited for children aged 5 to 9 who enjoy animal adventures and stories where the underdog wins. Parents may choose it to discuss how being small doesn't mean being helpless, though they should be aware of the story's 19th-century colonial origins and historical context.
What Parents Should Know
Discussion Prompts
1
Little Black Mingo had to stay very calm when the crocodile caught her. What are some things you do to stay calm when you feel scared?
2
Why was it important for Mingo to be kind to the mongoose? How did that help her later on?
3
Mingo used a boat to escape. If you were stuck on an island, what kind of invention would you try to build to get home?
4
The crocodile thought he was much smarter than Mingo. Why do you think he was wrong?
