David Gets in Trouble

Name: David Gets in Trouble
Author: David Shannon

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

★★★★★ Loved by families

Read the Guiding Questions Find this book →

♥ This book teaches: Responsibility. owning your choices and their consequences.

Before, During & After Reading

Guiding Questions for Parents.

Definition: doing what needs to be done without complaining. In short: Do what needs to be done. Summary: David doesn’t want to take responsibility for mistakes he makes. He’s always ready with an excuse for his inappropriate actions. Most children can relate to some of the situations he gets in, as well as his tendency to want to cover up his mistakes. David has a series of disruptive events and in each case he denies he was responsible, until his conscience kicks in after mom tucks him in. He admits he was the culprit and apologizes. Lesson Objectives:

Students will be more invested in taking responsibility for their mistakes, because they understand that when we don’t tell the truth, it feels bad, and when we do, it feels good.

Guiding Questions:

Do you think it was David’s fault when he tipped over a table while skateboarding in the house?
Do you think his dog really ate his homework?
When he was clowning around at class picture time, he said he “couldn’t help it” - do you believe him?
Why shouldn’t people eat dog food?
Why is it wrong to pull a cat’s tail or hurt any animal?
What can we say if we make a loud burp or spill something at the dinner table?
Because parents love their children, they want to keep them safe and that’s why they make rules. What are some rules about safety in your house?
What are some examples of good manners at the dinner table?
What are some examples of good manners in the car or bus?
What can we do if we break something accidentally?

🌿 Virtue Connection: Responsibility means owning what is yours, including your choices.

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.