Fairy Tales and Fantastic Stories
on Goodreads (47)
What’s inside...
Terry Jones' popular Fairy Tales and Fantastic Stories are brought together in one volume for this special fifteenth anniversary edition. This collection includes stories that explore strange lands and fabulous kingdoms, featuring mysteries, magic, sadness, silliness, and numerous adventures. Readers will encounter slow ogres, troublesome dragons, mysterious fly-by-nights, and even the funniest dog in the world, while finding answers to important questions posed by these tales.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
256 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the main character learned by the end of their adventure?
If you were in a similar magical situation as the character, what would you do differently?
Which part of the story did you like the most and why?
How did the story make you feel when the characters faced challenges?
If you could add a new character to the story, who would they be and how would they change the tale?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the story to their own experiences, fostering a deeper connection to the themes.
Use expressive reading to bring the characters and scenes to life, making the story more engaging and memorable.
Ask follow-up questions based on your child's responses to encourage critical thinking and exploration of ideas.
Explore the morals and lessons of the fairy tales, discussing how these can be applied in real-life scenarios.
After reading, encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character, giving them a creative outlet to express their thoughts and feelings about the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Through the diverse characters and fantastical scenarios, Terry Jones' stories teach children to understand and share the feelings of others, fostering empathy.
Real-World Application: Children learn to see life from different perspectives, helping them connect better with peers and handle conflicts with empathy.
Example Lesson: Importance of Courage
Explanation: Several tales feature young protagonists who overcome fears to achieve something great, demonstrating bravery and the importance of facing one's fears.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to tackle challenges at school or in social settings with bravery, whether it's standing up for a friend or trying something new.
Example Lesson: Value of Perseverance
Explanation: The characters often face difficult tasks that they must complete, showing that persistence is key to success.
Real-World Application: Instills a determination in children to keep trying in their studies, sports, or learning new skills, even when it seems difficult.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: The book is filled with magical and imaginative tales that encourage children to think creatively and envision a world of possibilities.
Real-World Application: Promotes creative thinking in problem-solving or in expressing themselves through art, writing, or play.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Actions
Explanation: Stories often depict characters facing the results of their good or bad decisions, teaching moral accountability.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand that their choices have consequences, encouraging them to think before they act and make thoughtful decisions.