Peter and the Wolf: Read It Yourself - Level 4 Fluent Reader
Read It Yourself Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
Peter and the Wolf is a timeless story that explores themes of bravery, cleverness, and the triumph of good over evil. This Level 4 Reader version is designed for children who are comfortable reading alone and ready to tackle more complex sentence structures and vocabulary. It is based on the classic fairy tale where Peter's grandfather warns him about a wolf in the dark forest. Despite the warning, Peter decides to play with his friends outside the garden, leading to an encounter with the wolf. This book is ideal for fluent readers aged 7+ and includes comprehension puzzles, book band information, and tips for reading. It is part of the Read It Yourself series, which helps children build confidence and begin reading for pleasure with five levels ranging from first phonics to fluent reading.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Peter
Bird
Grandfather
Wolf
Duck
Discussion points
What do you think Peter felt when he saw the wolf? Why?
How do the different characters in the story help each other? Can you think of a time you helped a friend or a friend helped you?
Why is it important to listen to warnings from grown-ups, like how Peter was warned about the wolf?
What would you have done if you were in Peter's place?
How do you think the story would change if there was no wolf?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on the emotions and actions of the characters. Ask them to imagine alternative endings or scenarios, and discuss the moral lessons from the story. Use expressive reading to make the story come alive, altering your voice for different characters to keep your child engaged. After reading, relate themes from the book to your child’s personal experiences to help them connect with the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and overcoming fear
Explanation: Throughout 'Peter and the Wolf', Peter displays courage by facing the daunting wolf, demonstrating that bravery can lead to overcoming fears.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own fears, whether it's trying something new or standing up for themselves, by emulating Peter’s bravery.
Example Lesson: The importance of caution and wisdom
Explanation: Peter’s grandfather warns him about the dangers outside their garden, emphasizing the need for caution. Peter’s victory over the wolf also exemplifies the use of wisdom and clever strategies.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to listen to guidance from elders and to think critically about how to handle challenging situations smartly and safely.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Peter, along with the bird and the duck, work together to capture the wolf. This collaboration highlights how teamwork can achieve goals that might be impossible to accomplish alone.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of working with others to solve problems, both in academic settings and in play.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The story shows how the characters’ actions, like the cat stalking the bird and the duck, have direct consequences. This ties into the larger narrative of cause and effect.
Real-World Application: Kids can understand that their actions have impacts, teaching them to think about what they do before acting.
Example Lesson: Resilience in adversity
Explanation: Despite the challenges Peter faces, his resilience and determination help him to eventually safeguard his friends and capture the wolf.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to remain resilient and persistent even when facing difficult situations or when things don’t go as planned.