Peter And The Wolf
Favourite tales Series
What’s inside...
Retells the orchestral fairy tale of the boy who, ignoring his grandfather's warning, proceeds to capture a wolf with the help of his friend the bird. The wonderful tale of a little boy outsmarting the enemy to save a friend, based on Sergey Prokofiev's symphony, and beautifully illustrated by the well-known Russian artist, Vladimir Vagin. On vacation at his grandfather's, Peter wants to do nothing but play with his friends Bird, Cat, and Duck, and his toys. But a sly and vicious wolf sneaks onto the grounds of Grandpapa's home and gobbles up Duck! Peter quickly gathers his wits and some rope, and with the help of Bird, outsmarts the wolf before he can catch Cat too. Hunters come, but they're too late--Peter has captured the wolf! Vladimir Vagin brings her personal knowledge of Russia to make the character, settings, and costumes of Prokofiev's classic tale come alive and takes readers to the heart of a young boy's first encounter with his own bravery.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
2-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Peter
Bird
The Duck
Grandfather
Wolf
Discussion points
How do you think Peter felt when he saw the wolf? Why?
What would you have done if you were in Peter's place?
Why is teamwork important when solving big problems, like in the story?
How do the different characters in the book help each other?
What can we learn from the way the bird, the duck, and the cat interact?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for each character to make the storytelling lively and engaging.
Ask your child to guess what might happen next in the story to encourage prediction skills.
Discuss the moral of the story and how it applies to your child's everyday life.
Relate the characters' experiences to your child’s own experiences to deepen understanding.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene from the book, which can spur discussion about the story’s themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of teamwork
Explanation: In 'Peter and the Wolf,' Peter collaborates with the bird and the duck to capture the wolf. This teamwork is essential for their success.
Real-World Application: Children learn that working together with others can help solve problems more effectively than working alone.
Example Lesson: Courage and resourcefulness
Explanation: Peter shows bravery and quick thinking by catching the wolf with a rope. His courageous act saves the day.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be brave and think creatively when facing challenges.
Example Lesson: Listening to advice
Explanation: Initially, Peter ignores his grandfather's warning about going into the meadow where the wolf is, which leads to dangerous situations.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of listening to guidance from elders or those who have more experience, which can often prevent risky situations.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The story illustrates that actions have consequences, as seen when the duck is eaten by the wolf due to Peter's disregard for his grandfather’s warnings.
Real-World Application: It teaches children to consider the potential outcomes before acting, emphasizing thoughtful decision-making.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature and wildlife
Explanation: Peter’s adventure also shows interaction with various animals, emphasizing the need to respect and coexist with wildlife.
Real-World Application: This lesson informs children about the importance of nature conservation and treating all living beings with respect.