Der Struwwelpeter: Merry Stories and Funny Pictures
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What’s inside...
Der Struwwelpeter (1845) by Heinrich Hoffmann is a classic German children's book comprising ten illustrated and rhymed stories, each with a moral highlighting the consequences of misbehavior. The book features the story of Struwwelpeter, a boy who is unpopular due to his unkempt appearance. This edition by GoodWords Publishing is a high-quality reprint using the original text, ensuring clarity and readability for present and future generations. It is part of GoodWords's Classics collection, featuring rare and classic works. The edition contains all original 25 color images, and a special bonus image created for the book's 100th edition in 1876. Each story presents clear moral lessons and shows, in an exaggerated way, the consequences of bad behavior, such as a boy who does not brush his hair, one who sucks his thumbs, one who refuses to eat, and one who does not watch where he is going, making it a timeless classic for children of all ages.
Age
6-12
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the consequences are for the characters who misbehave in the stories?
How do you feel about the way the stories end? Do you think the characters learned their lessons?
Which character's story did you find most interesting, and why?
If you could give advice to one of the characters before they made a mistake, what would you say to them?
How do the illustrations help tell the story? Which picture is your favorite?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about each character's actions and the outcomes of the stories. Use the questions to guide them into deeper thinking about right and wrong, and the consequences of one's actions. Highlight the moral lessons subtly without being preachy to keep the conversation open and engaging. Relate the stories back to real-life scenarios that your child might encounter, which can help them connect with the book's themes more personally. Most importantly, listen actively to your child’s opinions and thoughts, validating their feelings and encouraging empathy towards the characters.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The book uses vivid stories to illustrate the consequences of misbehavior, like the story of the girl who plays with matches and gets burnt.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of careful behavior and following guidelines to avoid negative outcomes in daily activities.
Example Lesson: Importance of hygiene
Explanation: Through 'Shock-headed Peter', who neglects personal hygiene, the book teaches the importance of regular grooming.
Real-World Application: This can encourage kids to adopt healthy habits like brushing their teeth and washing hands to stay clean and presentable.
Example Lesson: The value of listening to advice
Explanation: Characters in the book often face trouble as a result of ignoring advice from adults or peers, demonstrating the benefits of listening to guidance.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to consider advice from parents and teachers, helping them make safer or more informed choices.