Natalie Portman's Fables
What’s inside...
Academy Award-winning actress, director, producer, and activist Natalie Portman retells three classic fables and imbues them with wit and wisdom. From realizing that there is no 'right' way to live, to respecting our planet and learning what really makes someone a winner, the messages at the heart of Natalie Portman’s Fables are modern takes on timeless life lessons. Told with a playful, kid-friendly voice and perfectly paired with Mattia’s charming artwork, Portman’s insightful retellings of The Tortoise and the Hare, The Three Little Pigs, and Country Mouse and City Mouse are ideal for reading aloud and are sure to become beloved additions to family libraries.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-6
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do the characters in the stories show kindness to one another?
What lesson did you learn from the story and how would you apply it in your own life?
Which animal in the fables did you like the most and why?
How do you think the story would change if it happened in today's world?
If you could give advice to one of the characters, what would you tell them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for different characters to make the storytelling lively and engaging.
Ask your child to guess what might happen next in the story to develop their predictive skills.
Discuss the morals of each fable and relate them to everyday situations your child might encounter.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the book. This promotes creativity and helps them connect visually with the story.
Finish your reading session by asking your child which fable was their favorite and why, fostering personal reflection and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Natalie Portman’s Fables retells classic stories with a twist to highlight characters’ feelings and perspectives, fostering empathy.
Real-World Application: Children learn to understand and value different viewpoints, which helps in building better relationships with peers and family.
Example Lesson: Importance of courage and resilience
Explanation: Characters in the stories often face challenges that they overcome through courage and determination.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to be brave and persistent in the face of their own challenges, such as trying new activities or standing up for themselves.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: In these fables, the outcomes of the stories are directly related to the characters’ choices, highlighting the concept of cause and effect.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to think about the potential outcomes before making decisions, fostering responsible behavior.
Example Lesson: Value of honesty
Explanation: Several fables center on the positive outcomes of being truthful.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of honesty in building trust and integrity in their relationships.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: Many of the stories involve characters who succeed by working together, emphasizing the benefits of collaboration.
Real-World Application: This promotes the idea that teamwork is essential in achieving common goals, useful in group tasks at school or in community activities.