Leaping Beauty: And Other Animal Fairy Tales
What’s inside...
The best-selling author of Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West wreaks havoc on eight classic fairy tales, with a cast of characters including a dancing frog, a gorilla queen, and seven giant giraffes. Simultaneous. Once upon a time . . . nothing was as it seemed. What if Sleeping Beauty were actually a frog princess, doomed to be Weeping Beauty forever? What if the Three Chickens had to outwit Goldifox? What if Cinder-Elephant lost her glass plate slipper? Then you'd have this hilarious collection of twisted fairy tales from the master of the absurd, Gregory Maguire!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
208 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the animals learned about themselves by the end of their stories?
How would you feel if you were in the shoes of the main character in one of the tales?
Which fairy tale was your favorite and why?
If you could change one part of any story, what would it be and how would you change it?
How do you think the story would be different if it happened in our world today?
Tip: Role play these questions
Create a cozy reading nook and take turns reading passages aloud to each other, enhancing the interactive experience.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book, then discuss why they made those choices.
Use different voices for different characters to make the reading session more dynamic and entertaining.
After reading the book, watch adaptations of traditional fairy tales and compare them with the stories in 'Leaping Beauty' to foster analytical thinking.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next before turning the page, to keep them engaged and thinking creatively.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: In 'Leaping Beauty: And Other Animal Fairy Tales', the unique animal characters experience a variety of emotions, helping children to see the world from different perspectives.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to recognize emotions and viewpoints different from their own, aiding in social interactions and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: The importance of kindness
Explanation: Several stories in the book highlight acts of kindness between characters, illustrating the positive impact these actions can have.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to practice kindness in their daily interactions, fostering a positive and supportive environment at school and at home.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: Characters in the book often encounter and overcome various obstacles, showing resilience and determination.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to face their own challenges with courage and persistence, building their problem-solving skills and self-confidence.
Example Lesson: Creative problem-solving
Explanation: The stories are filled with clever solutions to unusual problems, promoting creative thinking and innovation.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think outside the box and use their imagination to navigate challenges in academics and play.