Truly Grim Tales
on Goodreads (82)
What’s inside...
Priscilla Galloway has rewritten eight traditional fairy tales, transforming them from merely strange into truly frightening tales for older children. The stories explore complex themes such as deception and stress, as seen in 'The Prince', where a woman contemplates her relationship with her husband and stepchildren, and in another tale where a man becomes captivated by a woman's glass shoes.
Age
12-18
Length
132 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What would you do if you were in the shoes of the main character in one of these stories?
How do you think the characters felt during their challenges?
What lessons can we learn from the way the story unfolded?
Which story was your favorite, and why?
How do you think the story would change if it happened in today's world?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about each tale, affirming their ideas as valuable.
Draw parallels between the problems faced by the characters and real-life scenarios your child might encounter.
Discuss the moral and ethical dilemmas presented in the stories to enhance critical thinking skills.
Use the stories as a springboard to discuss the concept of consequences resulting from certain actions or decisions.
After discussing, suggest reenacting a favorite story or creating a new ending together to foster creativity and deeper understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: In 'Truly Grim Tales', characters often face challenging and dark situations. Despite the grim circumstances, they find ways to overcome their problems and learn from their experiences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cope with their own challenges and setbacks by understanding that problems can be faced and overcome, helping them to develop resilience and determination.
Example Lesson: The importance of moral introspection
Explanation: The book encourages readers to reflect on the morality of the characters' decisions and the consequences that follow. Through the twisted fairy tales, readers are prompted to think about what is right and wrong.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to think critically about their own actions and the impact they have on others, fostering a sense of empathy and ethical judgment in their everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards others
Explanation: Several stories in 'Truly Grim Tales' involve characters showing kindness and understanding towards others' plight, despite their own struggles. This nurtures a theme of compassion throughout the tales.
Real-World Application: This theme provides children with examples of how understanding and relating to the feelings and experiences of others is crucial in building meaningful relationships and maintaining social harmony.
Example Lesson: Consequences of deceit
Explanation: The book portrays various scenarios where deceit leads to unintended, often unfavorable consequences, illustrating the negative outcomes of dishonesty.
Real-World Application: By recognizing these scenarios, children can learn the value of honesty and transparency, seeing firsthand how deceit can complicate situations and harm relationships.
Example Lesson: Value of perseverance
Explanation: Characters in 'Truly Grim Tales' persist through their difficulties, and those who continue to strive despite obstacles often find better endings. This highlights the worth of perseverance and hard work.
Real-World Application: Children are reminded that persistence in tasks, whether in academic or personal pursuits, can lead to success and fulfillment, reinforcing the importance of not giving up in the face of difficulties.