Foolish Gretel (Stepping Stone Books - Fourth of July Series)
#3 in Children Of America. Series
What’s inside...
In 1855 in Galveston, Texas, ten-year-old Gretel and her two spoiled, complaining sisters all hope to be accepted as a companion to Frau Dimpel, the richest German lady in town. Gretel dreams of living in a fairy-tale castle by the sea, but instead spends her days working with her short-tempered sisters in their mother's hat shop. When a rich resident announces that she wants a young German girl to come stay with her, Gretel sees her opportunity. But how will she ever get a chance when everyone thinks she's a lazy and foolish girl?
Discussion points
What do you think Gretel learned at the end of the story?
How did Gretel's actions affect the other characters?
Why is it important to think before we act, like Gretel learned?
How would you have handled the situations Gretel faced?
What does this story teach us about independence and making decisions?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate to Gretel by asking them how they would feel in her situations.
Discuss the consequences of Gretel’s decisions to help your child understand cause and effect.
Highlight the moral of the story and relate it to real-life decisions that your child makes.
Use expressive reading to keep your child engaged, changing your tone to match the emotions in the story.
Allow your child to express their opinions about the characters' actions and validate their feelings.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of Responsibility
Explanation: Gretel takes on the responsibility of cooking for a big Fourth of July celebration, demonstrating the importance of taking charge and fulfilling duties.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to take responsibility for their own tasks, such as completing homework or household chores, understanding their role contributes to the larger family unit.
Example Lesson: Value of Perseverance
Explanation: Throughout the book, Gretel faces several challenges in her cooking adventure but she persists until she succeeds, showcasing the value of not giving up.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to keep trying in the face of difficulties, whether in academics, sports, or personal goals, teaching them resilience and determination.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Problem Solving
Explanation: When Gretel encounters problems in her cooking process, she uses creative solutions to overcome them, highlighting the importance of thinking outside the box.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to use their imagination and creativity to solve problems they encounter in school projects or in resolving conflicts with peers.
Example Lesson: Importance of Preparation
Explanation: Gretel's successful celebration is a result of careful planning and preparation, underscoring the benefits of being prepared.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of planning ahead for school events, exams, or even in organizing their daily schedules, promoting effective time management skills.
Example Lesson: Learning from Mistakes
Explanation: Gretel makes several mistakes along her journey but uses them as learning opportunities, which is a crucial part of the story.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that making mistakes is a part of learning and that they can grow from each mistake by understanding what went wrong and how to improve.