The World According to Humphrey – Family Reading Guide
✅ General Reading Strategies for All Chapters:
Take Turns Reading: Older kids or adults can read aloud while younger ones follow along. Let kids read shorter sections or dialogue.
Pause and Talk: After each chapter, pause to retell what happened and discuss.
Use Voices: Make reading fun by using different voices for Humphrey, Mrs. Brisbane, and classmates.
Make Connections: Ask, “Has anything like that ever happened to you?”
Use a Journal or Chart: Track where Humphrey goes, what he learns, and how he helps others.
🐹 Chapter-by-Chapter Reading and Discussion
📖 Chapter 1 – The Return of Mrs. Brisbane
Strategy: Before reading, look at the chapter title and predict what kind of story this might be. After reading, ask what surprises the reader.
Questions:
Why does Humphrey think today was the worst day of his life?
What does Mrs. Brisbane think of Humphrey when they met?
📖 Chapter 2 – Night Life
Strategy: Talk about the difference between day and night for humans and animals. Let your child draw what they think Humphrey does at night.
Questions:
What does Aldo’s kindness to Humphrey tell you about who he is when no one is watching?
Why do you think Humphrey explores so much at night instead of just sleeping?
📖 Chapter 3 – The Two Faces of Mrs. Brisbane
Strategy: After reading, summarize the chapter using beginning, middle, and end.
Questions:
What kind of student is Sayeh?
Why do you think Humphrey tries to cheer up Mrs. Brisbane even when she isn't kind to him?
📖 Chapter 4 – The Most Important Man in the World
Strategy: Practice reading expressively to show how characters might feel.
Questions:
What does Mr. Morales' decision to take Humphrey home say about how he views learning and students?
How might Humphrey help families notice new things about each other?
📖 Chapter 5 – Plans are Hatched
Strategy: Act out a favorite scene using simple props or stuffed animals.
Questions:
Why do you think Humphrey works so hard to help Aldo?
What does this chapter show about how families sometimes have to work together to solve problems?
📖 Chapter 6 – Moonlight Madness
Strategy: Talk about how it feels to be nervous speaking in front of others. Role-play saying something brave.
Questions:
How does Ms. Mac’s letter show that people can still be part of a community even when they are far away?
Why might Sayeh still feel nervous to take Humphrey home, even after she begins speaking up more?
📖 Chapter 7 – Saye Speaks Up
Strategy: Point out clues in the text to understand how characters are feeling. Ask your child to find words that describe emotions.
Questions:
Why might taking care of Humphrey have helped Sayeh speak more confidently in school?
How does Sayeh’s family life at home shape who she is in the classroom?
📖 Chapter 8 – Tricks and Treats
Strategy: Create a list of party or celebration words from the chapter and use them to talk about what makes an event special.
Questions:
Why might Humphrey have felt confused about being the “center of attention” during the Halloween party?
What do the costumes and party say about how the class is beginning to feel like a team?
📖 Chapter 9 – The Art of Self-Defense
Strategy: Discuss how characters solve problems. Help your child think of other ways to solve similar issues.
Questions:
Why do you think Miranda knew how to protect Humphrey from Clem, even though others didn’t notice the danger?
What does this chapter teach about how animals (and people) protect themselves?
📖 Chapter 10 – Garth Versus A.J.
Strategy: Talk about lessons learned in the chapter. Let your child draw or write the “moral of the story.”
Questions:
Why might kids like Garth act differently at school than they do at home?
What can we learn about fairness and support from the way Mrs. Brisbane handles Garth and A.J.?
📖 Chapter 11 – TV or Not TV
Strategy: Talk about what families do together without screens. Share ideas for fun screen-free activities.
Questions:
What do you think Humphrey notices about A.J.’s family once the TV is off that they might not have noticed themselves?
Why might unplugging the TV lead to more connection between family members?
📖 Chapter 12 – Peace Breaks Out
Strategy: Talk about routines and the importance of quiet time. Ask your child what makes them feel calm.
Questions:
How does the change in A.J. and Garth’s relationship show the power of understanding each other’s stories?
Why do you think the students began working together more by this point in the book?
📖 Chapter 13 – Thanks but No Thanks
Strategy: Take a walk or go outside and talk about what animals you see and hear.
Questions:
How does meeting Mr. Brisbane change what we thought we knew about Mrs. Brisbane?
Why might Thanksgiving feel different for each member of the Brisbane family?
📖 Chapter 14 – Hide-and-Go-Squeak
Strategy: Ask your child to tell what they think the most important thing Humphrey has learned so far is—and why.
Questions:
What does Humphrey’s time with Mr. Brisbane show about how people change when given a chance?
Why do you think Mrs. Brisbane was so surprised by her husband’s interest in Humphrey?
📖 Chapter 15 – Happy Hamster Day
Strategy: Celebrate finishing the book! Talk about favorite characters, lessons, or events. Let your child share what they would do if they had a classroom pet.
Questions:
What does the party show about how Room 26 has changed since the beginning of the year?
Why might it be important for the students to celebrate Humphrey as a “member” of their class?
🗣️ Wrap-Up Discussion:
Who was your favorite character and why?
How did Humphrey help others?
What did you learn from Humphrey?
Would you want a class pet like Humphrey? Why or why not?
