English Fairy Tales (Wordsworth Children's Classics)
Wordsworth Children'S Classics Series
on Goodreads (3,898)
What’s inside...
This book contains over forty of the best-loved fairy stories, retold by Flora Annie Steel, and beautifully illustrated by Arthur Rackham. Favorites such as Jack the Giant-killer, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington, The Three Little Pigs, and The Babes in the Wood are all here among many others, but stories from different traditions also make their appearance, including The Three Bears and Little Red Riding Hood.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-9
Length
256 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Jack
Jack's Mother
The Giant’S Wife
The Giant
Discussion points
Which fairy tale did you enjoy the most and why?
How would you have reacted if you were in the place of one of the characters?
What lesson do you think this story is trying to teach us?
If you could change one part of any story, what would it be and why?
How do you think the characters felt during the main events?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story and relate the characters' experiences to their own life.
Use illustrations in the book as a starting point to discuss the setting, characters, and mood of each tale.
Ask your child to imagine different endings to the tales and discuss how those changes might affect the lessons learned from the stories.
After reading each tale, pause to discuss the morals and values being conveyed, helping your child to grasp complex themes in a simplistic manner.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: Several tales in 'English Fairy Tales' emphasize characters being rewarded for their kind acts towards others, which often lead to unexpected help and magical happenings.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to help others without expecting anything in return, understanding that kindness often leads to positive outcomes in both direct and indirect ways.
Example Lesson: The consequences of greed
Explanation: Some stories illustrate negative outcomes when characters give in to greed, such as losing their newfound wealth or facing other dire consequences.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the value of contentment and the dangers of being overly greedy, promoting a healthy relationship with material possessions.
Example Lesson: The power of cleverness and wit
Explanation: Clever characters in these tales often overcome obstacles or adversaries not through force, but through their wits, suggesting that intelligence and creativity are important traits.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to think creatively to solve problems and navigate challenges, emphasizing that there are many ways to overcome difficulties.
Example Lesson: The importance of making wise choices
Explanation: Many stories feature protagonists who face critical choices that affect their fates. Their decisions often teach a moral about the importance of wisdom and foresight.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to think decisions through and consider potential consequences, helping them make better choices in everyday situations.
Example Lesson: The strength of perseverance
Explanation: Characters who persist through challenges are often rewarded in these fairy tales. This highlights the value of not giving up even when faced with difficulties.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to keep trying and striving to achieve their goals, understanding that perseverance is key to success.