What do you think Marco and Polo learned about themselves and the world outside the house?

This is a discussion prompt for The Grand Escape by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

If you were a house cat, would you want to make a grand escape? Why or why not?

This is a discussion prompt for The Grand Escape by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

What challenges did Marco and Polo face, and how did they overcome them?

This is a discussion prompt for The Grand Escape by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. Use it to spark conversation with your child after reading.

Find on Amazon

The Grand Escape

Name: The Grand Escape
ISBN: 9780606069915

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Two sheltered house cats venture into the great outdoors for a daring adventure, facing humor and danger as they learn what it takes to survive in the wild.

About This Book

Marco and Polo have been house cats long enough. Together they make a grand escape to the outside world. But what is waiting for them as they search for food and shelter?

Concepts

Freedom & Independence Curiosity & Wonder Fear & Bravery Resilience & Perseverance Friendship & Loyalty Growing Up Cats Animals Survival & Wilderness

Heads up, parents

peril_danger

Wonderlit Review

Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's 'The Grand Escape' introduces readers to Marco and Polo, two house cats who yearn for the freedom of the outdoors. Their daring escape leads them into an adventure filled with the challenges of finding food, shelter, and navigating an unfamiliar world. The book gently explores themes of independence, curiosity, and the strength of friendship as the feline protagonists learn to rely on each other and their instincts. While there are mild moments of peril as they face the unknown, the overall tone is adventurous and hopeful. This story is ideal for early to middle elementary readers who love animal stories and are beginning to explore ideas of self-reliance and the wider world. Parents might reach for this when their child is showing a burgeoning sense of independence or is fascinated by the secret lives of pets. It's a quick, engaging read that can spark conversations about bravery and the meaning of home.