Murf and Boogs’ Night Time Adventure
About the Book
Murf is a big, fluffy cat, living at the Rescued Cats’ Centre. When his friend Boogs comes for a sleep over, it soon becomes clear that he is afraid of the dark. How can Murf help his friend?
This book can be used to encourage open discussion with pre-school and school children on two important topics.
- Being afraid of the dark or other fears
- The difference between ‘imaginary’ and ‘real’ as related to fears
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ISBN 978-0-9941084-0-1
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About Murf and Boogs
Murf is a large grey cat with a full mane of cream fur around his neck. He enjoys looking after the other cats at the Rescued Cats Centre. Boogs, a grey short-haired cat, features in a cameo role when he visits the centre for a sleepover with Murf. In real life Boogs belongs to local constable and cat lover, Debi Leahy.
About the Book
Murf is a big, fluffy cat, living at the Rescued Cats’ Centre. When his friend Boogs comes for a sleep-over, it soon becomes clear that he is afraid of the dark. How can Murf help his friend?
This story, told from the cat’s point of view, touches on the subject of fear of the dark. Reading the story provides an opportunity for children to openly talk about things they are frightened of. It also encourages young readers to face and overcome their fears.
This story is inspired by the delightful photographs of Christine Johnston, Richard Beck (late) and Debi Leahy.
Teacher Notes
Preschool / Year One and Two
Today, children are bombarded with many images and ideas through multi-media, some of which may add extra confusion as to what is real and what is imaginary. Whilst a healthy imagination should be actively encouraged in all children, too much confusion may lead to a feeling of anxiety or excessive fear. Many children are afraid of the dark. Murf and Boogs‘ Night-time Adventure is a useful tool which may allow children to express and explore their fears, act them out and find ways of dealing with them.
Before reading the story show the front cover and read the title of the book. Ask for a show of hands as to who is afraid of the dark. Begin by saying this is a story about a cat who was afraid of the dark. As you proceed through the story ask the children to show you their monster faces and encourage them to consider if monsters are real or imaginary. Discuss with the children how Murf helped Boogs to forget about his fears.
Follow-up activity:
Artwork. Using light-coloured oil-based crayons encourage the children to draw the ‘monsters’ or
anything else they imagine is hidden by darkness. Use dark blue/black water based paint to cover the full page. Crayoned areas should show through (reasonable pressure needs to be applied when using the crayons).
