Companion Guide For Teachers

The Teacher’s Guide

This guide is for teachers to talk with kids and students about the journey of a puppy named Timber, in the book Is This My Home?

In Is This My Home? the student meets a puppy named Timber who needs to find a new home—one that’s right for him. Similarly, as people, we also need to find our homes: actual homes, of course, but also metaphorical ones, such as the right school, the right job, or the right group of friends. A prestigious school might have an impressive name and brand, but it doesn’t mean that it’s the right place for a particular student. A job might pay a lot, but the culture may not provide a place where the worker can flourish and grow. Timber explores many places and consults with an expert. Only after searching in all the wrong places and reflecting on his journey does Timber realize where the right place is.

This guide helps adults ask children questions after reading the story, so they can teach the child that in life it’s important to find the right fit, not necessarily the easiest or most popular one.

You can ask the questions to a child and use the ideas in these answers to inform how you communicate insights to them in the most appropriate way. Feel free to pick the ones that might answer the questions the child is curious about or the lessons you think are most important to them based on what they are experiencing or about to experience.

Questions to ask the student before reading the book

Q: What does the title tell you about the story?

Q: Looking at the cover, what is the story about?

Q: What will this book teach you?

Questions to ask the student after reading the book

Q: How did the story make you feel?

Q: What questions do you have?

Q: Explain how the pictures add to what is conveyed by the words in the story.

Q: What happens after the end of the story?

Open-Ended Questions to stimulate the student’s thinking

Q: What advice would you offer Timber?

Q: What other places do you think Timber would visit?

Q: How would Timber do in your home?

Q: Make a summary of the story

Q: What does this book make you want to learn more about?

Questions about the lessons from the book

Q: Why did Timber’s brother’s leave without him?

Lesson: Growing through Independence

Sometimes we find ourselves in places where we have outgrown the environment—even if we don’t realize it at the time. When Timber’s brothers couldn’t find him (because Timber had hidden himself so well), they might have discussed the situation and believed that Timber was now old enough to learn to take care of himself. Any transition can be scary; from applying to a school or a job, moving to a new home, or welcoming a puppy into your own home. There’s a lot of uncertainty at the beginning, but—as we see in the story—when we start our journey, we learn many exciting and valuable lessons. We all face moments when we have to take our own first steps toward independence. These moments can be intimidating but lead to personal growth.

Example: Think of students starting their first year at a new school. While they might feel anxious, they soon learn new skills and make new friends, growing more independent as they settle in. Another example is when students participate in summer camps, where they spend time away from home, learning how to take care of themselves and work with others in new environments.

Q: Why was it hard for Timber to stay sad when he started his journey?

Lesson: Personal Growth through New Experiences

When Timber was with his brothers, he wasn’t challenged to explore on his own. But when he did explore things on his own, he learned that there were so many beautiful experiences that he never noticed before. This kind of personal growth happens whenever we give ourselves the time and opportunity to try something new on our own.

Example: When students join extracurricular activities—such as theater or robotics—they may start out feeling unsure. However, as they engage with new challenges and meet like-minded peers, they find themselves excited and eager to learn, much like Timber discovering joy in his journey.

Q: Why wasn’t the beach the right place for Timber?

Lesson: The Importance of Finding the Right Environment

The beach isn’t physically appropriate for him. While it was okay for the Vacationing Crab (after all, that’s where a Vacationing Crab can be successful), it’s not suitable for a dog who has different needs. No matter how hard a dog could try, the beach isn’t a place where the dog would be safe or healthy.

Example: Some students thrive in group projects, while others prefer working independently. Just as Timber realized the beach wasn’t right for him, students learn to identify environments where they feel most comfortable. A student might love playing in a band but feel out of place on a sports team, or vice versa. Recognizing where we fit helps us grow.

Q: Why wasn’t the boat right for the Timber?

Lesson: Attention and Care Are Key to Growth

A commercial fishing boat has a lot of exciting things going on and could have been a great place for a dog to thrive mentally and physically, but the people on this boat were too busy to pay attention to Timber. Without the necessary attention, Timber wouldn’t have grown mentally at all. In fact, he’d most likely be in the way, unsure of what to do, frustrated, lonely and without purpose. It would have been bad for Timber and for the people on the ship.

Example: In educational settings, smaller class sizes often allow for more individualized attention, leading to better learning outcomes. For instance, Finland’s education system is renowned for its smaller class sizes, which helps students receive more one-on-one support, much like Timber would have benefited from more attention on the boat.

Q: Why couldn’t the all powerful and very rich King provide a home for Timber in his family?

Lesson: Wealth And Prestige Don’t Correlate To Happiness

The Wise King has power and money, but like anyone, he is bound by obligations and lives with constraints. In this case, the King has an obligation to the Queen and supporting her very nasty cat. If he brought Timber into his family, it would be a very difficult and contentious life for Timber, the Wise King, the Queen, and the ferocious cat. Even if a palace appears to be very nice and the people have lots of money, it doesn’t mean that the people are able to provide an emotional for someone like Timber to thrive.

Example: Consider prestigious colleges like Harvard or Stanford. While these schools have big names, not every student finds them to be a good fit. Some students thrive in smaller universities where they receive more individual attention, showing that personal satisfaction can matter more than external status—much like Timber discovering that the King’s wealth didn’t guarantee a good home.

Q: Why was it good for Timber to talk to the Salmon even though he didn’t wind up getting good advice from the Salmon?

Lesson: The Value of Consulting Experts, Even if They Don’t Have the Perfect Answer

We know that the Scholarly Salmon is wise and well-read, which is why Timber consulted the Salmon for a solution. But just like any expert, (for example, doctors, teachers, lawyers and scientists) they don’t always know the right answer for you, every time, even if they often know the right answers. Asking an expert might give you the right answer, or might give you insights you can use to help you solve your problem. Timber follows the Salmon’s advice and by doing that, discovers another environment. While the next place wasn’t a good home for him — Timber gained useful knowledge.

Example: When schools closed during the pandemic, many families turned to educational experts for advice on homeschooling. While not every piece of advice worked for every family, the overall guidance helped many parents create structures that suited their children. The process of asking for advice, even if imperfect, teaches critical thinking and problem-solving, much like Timber’s journey after consulting the Salmon.

Q: Why weren’t the hunters good for Timber?

Lesson: The Impact of Neglect on Well-Being

The hunters can indeed provide a good home for a dog, but they already had one—and from the looks of it, the dog was unhealthy and lazy. Perhaps they overfed the dog (which isn’t healthy), or maybe they just have a dog to keep them company but don’t give their dog a job to make him feel useful and needed. Those particular hunters may not have the skill or desire to help a dog reach his full potential physically, mentally, or emotionally. (Did you notice that their dog didn’t even look up or say hello to Timber?)

Example: Think of how students respond to encouragement versus neglect. When teachers provide regular feedback and show interest in a student’s work, that student is more likely to be engaged and perform better. In contrast, students who feel overlooked may disengage, much like Timber would have been neglected if he stayed with the hunters.

Q: When timber was scared and worried he tucked himself away from the storm, why was that a good idea?

Lesson: The Importance of Rest and Reflection During Challenging Times

Sometimes when things get very hard, it’s important to protect yourself and give yourself time to reflect. But it’s also important not to lose hope. Every person’s journey is marked with difficult times, and often when things are the worst is when they experience a breakthrough. In this case, the storm and being tired from searching were Timber’s obstacles. Timber was also lonely and uncertain about the future; however, he had the bravery to keep working to find his home, and when the day broke he immediately started looking again. It can be hard to be brave, but the more you practice, the braver you’ll become.

Example: Students today are learning the importance of mental health days and self-care. Programs in schools now emphasize mindfulness, helping students to manage stress through techniques like meditation and quiet reflection. Taking a moment to recharge—like Timber did—can make a big difference in their ability to face challenges.

Q: If the home was the right place for Timber, why wasn’t the door wide open for him?

Lesson: Courage is Required to Find the Right Fit

Timber didn’t have to force his way in, but he did need the courage to investigate what was on the other side of the door.  We can’t expect the right place will be waiting for us with a clear sign that we are supposed to be there, even if it is the perfect place for us. We need courage to try a new solution.

Example: Students may experience this when trying out for a sports team or a role in a play. Even when they suspect it’s the right fit for them, they have to take the initiative to apply or show up for tryouts. This mirrors Timber’s journey, where taking that extra step made all the difference.

Q: When Timber told the Tall Man his name, the man said he had been waiting years. How is it possible the man was waiting years when Timber was just a puppy who wasn’t even born that long ago?

Lesson: Sometimes the Right Fit Takes Time to Find

In the same way Timber had been searching for the right home, the man had also been looking to find the right dog.  Perhaps the Tall Man had searched and searched for the right dog, and just like Timber, had found lots of other dogs that were the wrong match for him, each in their own way. When Timber found the man, he reflected on his journey and realized that while the other placed Timber discovered each had a draw for Timber, the man’s simple home could provide what Timber actually needed. To be cared for, challenged appropriately, educated, and loved.

Example: This can be seen in students who struggle to find the right hobby or extracurricular activity. Over time, as they try different things—whether it’s music, art, or sports—they eventually find the activity that fits their interests and skills. Like Timber and the Tall Man, finding the perfect match can take patience and persistence.

Lastly, while this book is about a fictional puppy, real puppies also need homes that provide mental, physical and emotional stimulation.  If you’re thinking about getting a dog, keep in mind that the more you help them grow and the more you provide the right place for them based on their needs (each dog is different) the stronger your bond will be with them, and they happier their life will be.