Suggested things to think about and discuss:

Chapter 1:

Why did they feel like they had been flushed down a toilet? What does separation mean? What does it feel like? What makes you feel safe? What makes you feel scared? What do you think was the problem with Furby? What was the strange huge paw? Why did Bobby and Tommy not see Furby again? Where do you think Furby had gone?

Chapter 2:

Why couldn’t Bobby and Tommy get very far? What things scare you enough to run and hide? How do you think you would feel if a giant person picked you up in their hand? How can you be gentle? What is the opposite of gentle? What does trust mean? Who do you trust? How do you decide whether someone can be trusted? What is the difference between talking softly and shouting? When and why do you shout? How do you feel inside when you shout? How do you feel when someone talks softly to you? And shouts at you? How do you think Bobby and Tommy knew that their carer wanted to understand them? Which spots do you find pleasurable to the touch? Which spots do you think a guinea pig would like to be touched? And which would he/she prefer not?

Chapter 3:

Why do you think the paw washed the guineas fur? What does nimble mean? Who do you think Zoi is? Why do you think he is called Zoi?

Chapter 4:

What makes you feel happy? How do you show that you are happy? What do you do to get attention? What things do you find reassuring? How would you reassure a guinea pig? How do guinea pigs sing?

Chapter 5:

Who is the man in the white coat? Have you ever had drops in your eyes? How does it feel? How do you divert your attention when less nice things are happening? What nice things do you think about?

Chapter 6:

Do you prefer to drink water out of a bottle or a glass? What are the advantages/disadvantages of each? What name would you recommend for the piggie’s band?

Chapter 7:

What was the “something that moved really fast”? What is vibration? How do you think the guineas felt living in a dirty cage? Why do we need to clean cages out? What would happen if we didn’t? How do you feel after you have had a bath/shower? Which do you prefer and why?

Chapter 8:

What was the “liquid which ran from the carer’s eyes”? Can guineas cry? Why do you think the vet “stuck a big needle” in Tommy’s neck? Why was Tommy sad? Why did he have to live separately from his family? Was Tommy being punished? Who could be “calling” Tommy? Why do you think Tommy found the days harder to face?

Chapter 9:

What do you think is happening to Tommy? How would it feel to be “wrapped in a blanket of love”? What does the word “heaven” mean to you?

Chapter 10:

What would you want to happen to your body when you die? Why do you think the carer kept a piece of Tommy’s fur? Why did Tommy’s voice not work? Could Kerry really talk to Tommy in her head or did she just imagine it? What is the difference? How would you describe Tommy? What can we all learn from his story?