Disney's Cinderella: Classic Storybook
Golden Sound Story Series
on Goodreads (32)
What’s inside...
With the help of her fairy godmother, a girl outwits her stepmother to find romance with a prince.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
97 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Cinderella
Prince Charming
Gus
Jaq
King
Drizella Tremaine
Anastasia Tremaine
Lady Tremaine
Discussion points
How do you think Cinderella felt when her stepmother and sisters were unkind to her? Can you think of a time you felt the same way?
What would you do if you were in Cinderella’s shoes and met your fairy godmother? What would you wish for?
Cinderella shows kindness throughout her story even when others are not kind to her. Why do you think being kind is important?
How did the prince feel when he finally found Cinderella again? Why do you think it’s important to never give up on looking for something important?
What did you learn from the ending of the story? Would you have ended it any differently?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their emotions by discussing Cinderella’s feelings in various parts of the story. This helps them to connect emotionally and understand the character’s motivations.
Ask hypothetical questions to stimulate your child’s imagination and ethical reasoning, such as what they would wish for from a fairy godmother.
Discuss the importance of kindness and perseverance shown by Cinderella and relate them to real-life situations your child might encounter.
Use the story’s ending to talk about the concept of hope and resilience, asking your child how they might persevere in difficult situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Cinderella faces many challenges from her stepfamily's harsh treatment, but she remains gentle and kind, continuing to hope and strive for a better life.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of staying strong and hopeful even when facing difficulties. This can inspire them to never give up in tough situations, whether it's dealing with schoolwork or friendships.
Example Lesson: Kindness and compassion
Explanation: Despite her circumstances, Cinderella shows compassion towards others, including her animal friends, treating them with kindness and care.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of treating others with respect and kindness, a vital skill in developing empathy and building positive relationships in school and at home.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Cinderella's ability to maintain her moral integrity and optimism in spite of her hardships demonstrates resilience.
Real-World Application: Children learn that they can overcome obstacles and emerge stronger, teaching them to adapt and bounce back from setbacks.
Example Lesson: Importance of dreams
Explanation: Cinderella’s dreams of a better life play a crucial role in her endurance and positive attitude. Her dreams motivate her to continue working hard and believing in possibilities.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to dream big and understand the role of aspirations in motivating personal and academic achievements.
Example Lesson: Reward for good behavior
Explanation: Cinderella's story concludes with her finding happiness and escaping her harsh life, which can be seen as a reward for her goodness and integrity throughout her trials.
Real-World Application: This can help instill the principle that good actions lead to positive outcomes, reinforcing moral behavior and the benefits of doing the right thing.