Our family dog is getting older. She moves slower and cannot play like she used to, but her deep love for my children is still present. She follows the kids from room to room, hanging out with them as they get ready for school, do their homework, or watch a show.
Charlie the Wonderdog explores how identities shift and change. Charlie is an older dog who receives superpowers that alter his life. Yet Charlie’s love for Danny and desire to be a good pet remain unchanging. Watch the movie with kids three and older and explore it together using one or more of the following activities.
Aging. Charlie has been Danny’s pet since he was a baby and they have grown up together. As they get older, Danny gets taller and gets glasses. Charlie also experiences some significant changes. Ask children: What are some ways that Danny changes as he gets older? What are some ways that Charlie changes? Make lists of their changes and wonder how they feel about them.
Choices. Charlie and Puddy Cat are pulled into space as potential pet options for an alien prince. The prince has many options from all over the galaxy. Invite children to help the prince make his choice. Ask: How could you help the prince select a new pet? Encourage them to take turns role playing an advisor to the prince who has stepped in to help him select a new pet.
Caring. Otis and Danny are both pet owners who want their pet to be happy. Otis tries to buy Puddy Cat his favorite foods, and Danny constantly pets and praises Charlie. Suggest that children create a list of actions that they think are important for a caring pet owner to do. They might start by noting things they (or their parents/caregivers) do for any pets they have.
Traits. Charlie returns to earth after being given special powers by the aliens. He uses his super traits, like his ability to speak to humans, to help others. Ask children: What super traits for helping others would you like to have? Invite them to act out scenarios in which they use those special powers to make a difference.
Feelings. After Charlie is falsely arrested, he builds a burrow under his dog house. He is very sad and doesn’t want anyone to help him. He sends Danny away and calls himself a bad dog. Encourage children to use their faces and bodies to show how Charlie might be feeling. Imitate each other’s poses. Then invite them to show how Danny feels when Charlie sends him away. Imitate those poses as well.
Relaxing. After the alien queen gives Charlie his powers back, he creates a new super hangout where he can relax and run missions to save the world with Danny. Invite children to draw a picture of the kind of super hangout they would like to create. Ask: What things would you want to have in a super hangout. What would help you to relax in the hangout? What would help you help others? Share your hangout pictures with each other.
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