Puzzle for Princess Ellie
Pony-Mad Princess Series
What’s inside...
Princess Ellie faces puzzlement when her trustworthy Welsh pony, Rainbow, gets scared and refuses to continue down a woodland path. Ellie and her friend decide to investigate the cause of Rainbow's fear, only to discover that the answer to the mystery is unexpected. In addition, Princess Ellie is passionate about ponies, preferring to ride or care for them instead of dealing with tedious royal duties.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think Princess Ellie felt when she faced the puzzle challenges?
How did Princess Ellie's friends help her solve the puzzles?
Can you think of a time when you solved a difficult problem? What did you learn from it?
Why do you think teamwork was important in the story?
If you were in Princess Ellie's place, how would you have approached the puzzles?
Tip: Role play these questions
As you discuss the book, encourage your child to relate Princess Ellie's adventures to their own experiences with solving problems or working in a team.
Highlight the importance of persistence and asking for help when faced with tough challenges, just like Princess Ellie did.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings or solutions to the puzzles in the book, fostering creative thinking.
Use expressive reading to bring the characters and puzzles to life, making the reading experience more immersive and engaging.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Problem-solving skills
Explanation: Princess Ellie faces various challenges and puzzles that she needs to solve in order to succeed in her adventure, demonstrating critical thinking and decision-making.
Real-World Application: Children learn to approach problems methodically and think creatively about solutions, which can be applied in school projects or even in resolving everyday conflicts.
Example Lesson: Importance of perseverance
Explanation: Despite encountering obstacles, Princess Ellie does not give up. Her determination to overcome difficulties showcases the importance of persistence.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to not be easily discouraged, teaching them the value of trying again even when they initially fail.
Example Lesson: Value of teamwork
Explanation: Throughout her quest, Princess Ellie often collaborates with others to solve puzzles and overcome hurdles, underscoring the importance of working together.
Real-World Application: Children learn to collaborate effectively with others, an essential skill for group activities at school and in future professional environments.
Example Lesson: Building self-confidence
Explanation: As Princess Ellie successfully solves puzzles and progresses in her adventure, she gains more confidence in her abilities.
Real-World Application: This story can help boost children's self-esteem, encouraging them to believe in themselves when facing new challenges or learning new skills.