Christmas with Princess Mirror-Belle
Princess Mirror-Belle Series
What’s inside...
From Julia Donaldson, the bestselling author of The Gruffalo, comes Christmas with Princess Mirror-Belle, the exciting adventures of a princess with a difference. Beautifully illustrated by Lydia Monks, Christmas with Princess Mirror-Belle features two festive stories, as well as some festive things to make and do. This is the perfect book for fans of this bestselling picture book team and for those who are beginning to read on their own. Ellen gets a big shock when her reflection, Mirror-Belle, climbs out of a mirror. Mirror-Belle, a mischievous princess, sweeps Ellen into hilarious Christmassy escapades, including joining a Christmas ballet show, attending a fancy-dress party, and trying to catch Father Christmas. Wherever Mirror-Belle goes, trouble follows.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
112 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Princess Mirror-Belle is different from Ellen? What would you do if you had a mischievous double like Mirror-Belle?
Why do you think Mirror-Belle wants to help Father Christmas? What are some ways we can help others during the holiday season?
What was your favorite part of the adventure in the story? Why?
How do the characters in the book show kindness and understanding to each other?
If you could create your own magical Christmas adventure, what would it look like?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to compare and contrast the characters of Ellen and Mirror-Belle, fostering an understanding of different perspectives.
Discuss the themes of helping and giving during Christmas, relating them to real-life scenarios to reinforce these values.
Use open-ended questions to invite your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, enhancing their comprehension and empathy skills.
Highlight moments in the book where characters show compassion or resolve conflicts, guiding your child to recognize and practice these behaviors.
Invite your child to imagine and describe their own festive adventure, boosting their creativity and narrative skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness and helping others
Explanation: In 'Christmas with Princess Mirror-Belle', the protagonist, Ellen, helps Princess Mirror-Belle navigate the human world. This cooperation showcases the value of offering assistance and understanding to those around us.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by helping peers with schoolwork, sharing with siblings, or assisting in household chores, thereby fostering a supportive environment.
Example Lesson: Understanding differences and acceptance
Explanation: Throughout the book, although Mirror-Belle is quite different from Ellen, Ellen learns to accept and appreciate these differences. This acceptance is crucial in forming a strong, understanding relationship between the characters.
Real-World Application: Children learn to celebrate the differences among friends and classmates, understanding that everyone has unique qualities that contribute to a diverse and rich community.
Example Lesson: The power of imagination and creativity
Explanation: Princess Mirror-Belle’s adventures spring from her unique perspective and imaginative ideas, which add excitement and resolve challenges in the story.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to use their imagination in play or problem solving, enhancing their creative thinking skills and confidence in their own ideas.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and accountability
Explanation: Ellen takes responsibility for both her own actions and helping Mirror-Belle adjust to the human world. This scenario underscores the importance of being accountable for one's actions.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be instilled in children by encouraging them to own up to their mistakes and learn from them, and also to be responsible in their daily tasks and commitments.