Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde (Children's Classics Book 2)
Bloomsbury children's classics Series
illustrations by
on Goodreads (33,055)
What’s inside...
This audio collection features eight famous fairy tales by Oscar Wilde, read by Simon Callow and accompanied by illustrations from popular artist Anai. The tales include The Happy Prince, The Nightingale and the Rose, The Selfish Giant, The Devoted Friend, The Young King, The Birthday of the Infanta, The Fisherman and His Soul, and The Star-Child. The collection is in Traditional Chinese and includes a reading guide.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
144 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Happy Prince
The Swallow
Discussion points
What do you think the main message of the story was?
How did the characters' actions make you feel?
What would you have done differently if you were in the story?
How do you think the story would change if it took place today?
Which character did you relate to the most and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before starting each tale, ask your child what they expect the story might be about based on the title.
Pause at intense moments in the story to gauge your child’s understanding and emotions related to the plot.
After reading, connect the story's themes to real-life situations to enhance your child’s empathy and understanding.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or to think of themselves as a new character in the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: Throughout Wilde's fairy tales, characters often face moral dilemmas that require them to show kindness and understanding towards others. For example, the statue of the Happy Prince helps the poor by giving away his valuable possessions.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of considering others' feelings and situations, fostering a sense of empathy and acting compassionately in their interactions with peers.
Example Lesson: The Consequences of Selfishness
Explanation: In stories like 'The Selfish Giant', the giant's initial refusal to let children play in his garden leads to perpetual winter. Only when he opens his heart and garden does spring return, showing the negative effects of selfishness.
Real-World Application: This can teach children about the benefits of sharing and being open with others, as well as how their actions can affect their own environment.
Example Lesson: The Value of Sacrifice
Explanation: In 'The Nightingale and the Rose', the Nightingale sacrifices her life to create a red rose from her own heart’s blood, symbolizing the ultimate act of love.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of personal sacrifice for the greater good and the deep impact that acts of true love can have on others.
Example Lesson: True Beauty is Found Within
Explanation: Wilde’s tales often feature characters that learn to look beyond external appearances to appreciate the true qualities that lie within, as seen when the Infanta in 'The Birthday of the Infanta' is faced with her own cruelty.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of valuing personal qualities and character over outward appearances.