Looking for a Jumbie
by Tracey Baptiste
In this playful story inspired by Caribbean folklore, a girl named Naya sets out at night to find a jumbie. Along the way, she meets magical creatures and discovers that things are not always as scary as they seem.
Reading Tips for Story Explorers
Find a comfortable space to read together
Slow down and enjoy the illustrations
Ask and answer questions together
Make reading part of your routine - bedtime is a great time for reading
Use these prompts to encourage deeper thinking with your children:
"Tell me more, why do you think that?"
"How do you know that?"
"Interesting, did you notice anything else?"
Phonemic Awareness
When introducing the book, share the title and notice these phonemic elements:
When introducing the book, share the title and notice these phonemic elements:
The word “Looking” in the title begins with the letter Ll. This letter says /l/, like listen and lamp. Point to the letter and say the sound together: /l/, /l/, /l/. Brainstorm other words that begin with the sound /l/ with your child (laugh, little, light).
Ask the children to say the word after you. Show them the cover of the book and have them read the word out loud with you as you point under each word.
Vocabulary
folklore: Stories and legends that are passed down through families and communities.
creature: A living being, such as an animal or an imaginary monster
adventure: An exciting experience or journey
moonlight: The light that comes from the moon at night
curious: Wanting to learn or know more about something
mythical: Existing in stories or legends rather than in real life
Questions to Discuss
Why did Naya want to find a jumbie?
Were the creatures as scary as Naya expected? Why or why not?
The author uses adjectives (describing words) to paint a picture of a jumbie. What is a jumbie like?
How did Naya change by the end of the story?
What stories or legends does your family share?
Let's Play
Invite children and caregivers to invent and draw their own friendly jumbie. Together, they can decide:
- What the jumbie looks like
- Where it lives
- What special powers it has
- How it helps others
When finished, caregivers can help write a short sentence about the jumbie, such as: "My jumbie glows in the dark and helps lost animals find their way home." This activity encourages creativity while introducing children to the idea of folklore and storytelling.
If you liked Looking for a Jumbie, be sure to check out...
100 Mighty Dragons All Named Broccoli
by David LaRochelle and Lian Cho
Alexander and the Terrible Horrible No Good Very Bad Day
by Judith Viorst