Oxford Reading Tree: Branch Library: Traditional Tales: The Magic Doctor (Guided Reading Edition)
#3 in Oxford Reading Tree: Storybooks Series
on Goodreads (95)
What’s inside...
Val Biro's traditional tales have been adapted for classroom teaching, offering six stories in both big book format for shared reading and smaller format for guided reading. Each story is carefully designed with language and layout features for group discussion. The books include teaching notes by literacy consultant Julie Carr. The stories are categorized by age suitability, with 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' and 'The Three Billy Goats Gruff' for 5-6 year olds, 'Jack and the Beanstalk' and 'The Donkey that Sneezed' for 6-7 year olds, and 'The Pied Piper of Hamelin' and 'The Magic Doctor' for 7-8 year olds. A wonderfully illustrated children's tale which recounts the story of a gifted but impoverished bootmaker who decides to become a doctor, and who soon finds he can cure anything with his miraculous powers and is welcomed to the King's court. All is fine until a princess's ring goes missing and the magic doctor must find the thief or lose his head ! ( this book is the orginal large 8 1/2 x 11 inch format .. not the smaller format of later reprints).
Discussion points
How do you think the doctor felt when he used his magic to help people?
What would you do if you had magical powers like the doctor?
Why is it important to help others, even if we don't have magic?
What lesson can we learn from the different characters in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to make the magical elements of the story come alive and capture your child’s imagination.
Pause after key moments in the story to allow your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the characters’ actions.
Relate the story's theme of helping others to real-life situations, asking your child how they might act similarly in their own life.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings or magical events, fostering creative thinking and depth of understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Helping others is rewarding
Explanation: In the story, the Magic Doctor goes out of his way to help those in need, which brings happiness to the characters he aids.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by assisting their peers or family members, which will foster a sense of community and empathy.
Example Lesson: Creativity can solve problems
Explanation: The Magic Doctor uses his unique, magical solutions to tackle problems that others cannot solve, demonstrating the power of creative thinking.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think outside the box and use their imagination to overcome obstacles in their daily lives.
Example Lesson: Knowledge is power
Explanation: Through his vast knowledge of magical cures, the Magic Doctor is able to heal and help others, showing that knowledge can be used to benefit others.
Real-World Application: Kids are motivated to learn and acquire new skills, understanding that knowledge can make a positive difference in their own and others' lives.
Example Lesson: Perseverance leads to success
Explanation: Despite challenges, the Magic Doctor persists in his efforts to help others, his determination ultimately leading to successful outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of persistence in achieving goals, whether in academics, sports, or personal projects.
Example Lesson: Empathy towards others
Explanation: The Magic Doctor exhibits a deep understanding and caring for the characters he helps, which is central to his role in the tales.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of understanding others' feelings and situations, promoting a more empathetic and inclusive behavior.