Sleeping Beauty
#6 of 10 in First time stories Series
on Goodreads (6)
What’s inside...
First Stories: Sleeping Beauty is the perfect introduction for young children to this classic fairy tale. Interactive push, pull, and turn mechanisms bring the story to life and introduce the main characters: the sleeping princess and the prince who wakes her. This well-loved fairy tale is beautifully reimagined for a new generation by children's illustrator Dan Taylor. Little ones can also collect more books in the First Stories series, including titles like Snow White, Cinderella, and The Little Mermaid.
Character compass
Princess Aurora
Discussion points
How do you think Sleeping Beauty felt when she woke up? What would you do if you were her?
Why do you think the fairy cursed Sleeping Beauty? Do you think it was a fair decision?
What would you change in the story if you could? Why?
How do the other characters in the book react to Sleeping Beauty's sleep? What does that tell us about them?
What does this story teach us about patience and kindness?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings to the story. This not only enhances creativity but also deepens their understanding of the narrative.
Discuss the emotions of different characters at various points in the story. This will help your child develop empathy and emotional intelligence.
Relate themes of the story, like waiting and hope, to real-life situations your child might face to make the story more relatable and meaningful.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene from the book. This will make the discussion more interactive and memorable.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness and empathy
Explanation: In 'Sleeping Beauty', characters like the fairies show kindness by blessing the princess with gifts. Even in times of trouble, they assist by altering the curse to a sleep rather than death, showcasing empathy.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to show kindness in their interactions with others and understand the feelings of those around them, helping to foster a more empathetic society.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The story highlights how the uninvited wicked fairy’s actions lead to severe consequences for the entire kingdom. This demonstrates that every action has consequences.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to think before they act and be aware that their actions can affect others, not just themselves.
Example Lesson: The power of resilience
Explanation: Despite the curse, the kingdom and its inhabitants show resilience, preparing for the inevitable and finding ways to cope. This highlights the power of facing challenges head-on.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of preparing for challenges and developing coping strategies, strengthening their ability to handle adversities in life.
Example Lesson: Hope and perseverance
Explanation: The eventual awakening of Sleeping Beauty due to true love's kiss teaches the power of hope and perseverance, that good outcomes are possible with determination.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to maintain hope and keep striving towards their goals, despite difficulties or delays in achieving success.