The Long Line

In The Long Line, readers follow Jake on a sweltering day at the school fair where everyone is queuing for the waterslide. Faced with the long wait, Jake must decide whether to be patient or push ahead. This bright and relatable tale explores social values such as fairness, patience, and making good choices. Through expressive illustrations and a well-paced storyline, the book reinforces positive behaviour in everyday contexts. Ideal for use in social and emotional learning, the story presents a moral dilemma that children may encounter themselves, helping them reflect on their own actions. This text is perfect for classroom discussions around rules, self-control, and community expectations.

Educational Benefits

• Supports development of social-emotional learning and self-regulation
• Reinforces concepts of fairness, patience, and turn-taking
• Provides a relatable context for discussing ethical choices
• Builds comprehension through narrative and visual literacy

Classroom Ideas

• Hold a classroom debate: œShould Jake have cut the line?
• Use puppets to re-enact the story and explore different outcomes
• Create a classroom chart about fair behaviour and taking turns
• Write a diary entry from Jake's perspective before and after the decision

Safety & Information

• Ages: 12-14 years
• Size: 150 x 200 mm
• 12 pages, softcover
• No small parts; classroom-safe materials