Daughter of the Great Zandini
What’s inside...
Tradition is important to the Great Zandini, the great magician of Paris. His grandfather was a magician, his father was a magician, and his son will be a magician too. Unfortunately, his son Theodore does not feel the same way. Zandini won’t hear of opposition. Besides, his arch nemesis, newspaper reporter A. S. Besette, has begun a smear campaign, suggesting the old master is washed up. Zandini creates a new magic show to introduce Theodore as his successor. There’s only one problem: Theodore is a hopeless magician. Fortunately, his sister Fanny is a very good magician. It’s up to her to save the day, even if the Great Zandini does not want her help.
Age
8-12
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Tessa feels about her dad’s magic tricks compared to her own tricks?
What do you think is the most important lesson Tessa learns throughout the story?
Why do you think Tessa decided to perform her own kind of magic instead of following in her father’s footsteps?
How do Tessa’s unique talents contribute to her family’s magic show by the end of the book?
If you had a magic power like Tessa, what would it be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts about Tessa’s journey by relating it to their own experiences with learning new skills or hobbies. Ask open-ended questions that prompt deeper thinking about individuality and perseverance. Discuss the diverse ways people can contribute to a common goal, highlighting teamwork and creativity as shown in the book. Lastly, reinforce the enjoyment of reading by pointing out interesting illustrations or creative descriptions that enhance the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Uniqueness
Explanation: The protagonist, being the daughter of a renowned magician, learns to appreciate her unique family and her own special talents. She discovers pride in her heritage and abilities, setting her apart from her peers.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value their individual traits and backgrounds, fostering self-esteem and reducing peer conformity pressures.
Example Lesson: Importance of Family
Explanation: Throughout the story, the strong bond between the protagonist and her father, The Great Zandini, highlights the importance of family support and love in overcoming life's challenges.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to strengthen family ties and rely on family during tough times, teaching them the importance of familial support systems.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: The protagonist repeatedly practices her magic skills, despite initial failures, showing that persistence leads to eventual success.
Real-World Application: This story encourages children to keep trying even when tasks seem difficult, building resilience and a strong work ethic.
Example Lesson: Respecting Differences
Explanation: As the protagonist interacts with friends who find her family life unusual, she learns to respect and cherish the differences in others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate the diversity in their peers’ backgrounds, promoting inclusivity and reducing prejudice.
Example Lesson: Imagination and Creativity
Explanation: The magical elements in the book serve as a metaphor for imaginative thinking and creative problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to use their imagination to think outside the box, helping them in creative expression and in finding novel solutions to problems.