Hansel & Gretel
Read with mummy Series
on Goodreads (3,563)
What’s inside...
When they are left in the woods by their parents, two children find their way home despite an encounter with a wicked witch.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Gretel
Hansel
Father (Woodcutter)
Stepmother
Witch
Discussion points
Why do you think Hansel and Gretel felt they needed to leave breadcrumbs to find their way back home?
How did Hansel and Gretel feel when they discovered the candy house?
What would you have done if you were in Hansel and Gretel's place when they met the witch?
How do you think the story would change if Hansel and Gretel had decided to stay home instead?
What can we learn about helping and supporting each other from Hansel and Gretel's adventure?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings for the story and discuss how those changes might affect the characters and message.
Ask your child to relate personal experiences when they felt lost or scared and how they handled those situations.
Draw parallels between the moral lessons of the story and real-life decisions about trust and caution.
Highlight the importance of sibling support and teamwork, relating it to your child's interactions with siblings or friends.
Discuss the consequences of the characters' decisions to help your child understand the concept of cause and effect.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of caution and wariness of strangers
Explanation: Hansel and Gretel encounter a seemingly kind stranger who turns out to have sinister intentions. Their initial trust shows how appearances can be deceiving.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be cautious and discerning about whom to trust, emphasizing the importance of not taking things at face value and always seeking guidance from trusted adults.
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness and problem-solving
Explanation: Hansel and Gretel use their wits to escape from the witch, demonstrating quick thinking and resourcefulness, such as when Hansel uses a bone to trick the witch.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think creatively and solve problems independently, applying these skills in academic challenges or personal obstacles.
Example Lesson: The power of teamwork
Explanation: The siblings work together to overcome their challenges, highlighting how teamwork can achieve what might not be possible individually.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of cooperating with others, whether it’s during school projects, sports, or family activities, fostering a sense of community and mutual support.
Example Lesson: The consequences of deceit
Explanation: The story demonstrates negative outcomes of deceit through the witch's fate, emphasizing moral integrity.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of honesty in their daily interactions and the potential negative consequences of deceptive behavior.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Despite being abandoned and captured, Hansel and Gretel do not give up, showcasing their resilience and perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children learn to remain resilient and persevere through their own challenges, whether they’re adjusting to a new school, dealing with a tough subject, or handling a personal setback.