Oliver and the Surprise Picnic
A Story About Change, Flexibility, and Finding a New Way
Meet the character
Oliver is thoughtful, observant, kind, and happiest when he knows what to expect. He enjoys having a plan and feels comfortable when things happen the way he imagined they would.
The story
Oliver is excited for a picnic he has carefully imagined. He knows where they are going, what they will do, and what the day is supposed to look like.
But on the way to the picnic, something unexpected happens. The original route or plan no longer works.
For Oliver, this is much harder than simply saying, “Let’s do something else.” The change feels uncomfortable because the plan in Oliver’s mind was clear, predictable, and important to him.
With support, Oliver is given time to understand what changed and what has stayed the same.
Rather than being told to “just be flexible,” Oliver learns how to build a Plan B. He looks at the problem, considers another option, and little by little discovers that changing the route does not mean losing the whole adventure.
The picnic still happens—just differently than Oliver expected.
From story to real life
Each Brave Little Minds book is designed to continue beyond the final page with child-friendly activities, games, reflection prompts, and practical exercises that help children practise the tools introduced in the story.
- Recognize feelings, patterns, and experiences
- Practise the story’s core strategy
- Connect the lesson to everyday situations
- Notice strengths and build confidence