Revolting Rhymes
on Goodreads (21,398)
What’s inside...
Revolting Rhymes and Dirty Beasts are two collections by Roald Dahl that put a darkly comic twist on familiar fairy tales and animal-themed stories. Revolting Rhymes retells six well-known fairy tales with unexpected and often gruesome twists, while Dirty Beasts presents a menagerie of comic animals with quirky characteristics and bizarre adventures. Dahl's unique storytelling style adds a layer of irreverent humor and surprise endings to these classic tales.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-10
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did the twists in the classic fairy tales make you feel and why?
Which character did you find the most interesting, and what qualities did they have?
What is the importance of humor in a story? How did it change your view of the original fairy tales?
If you could create your own version of one of these tales, how would you change the story?
How do the characters in these rhymes show courage or creativity?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use playful voices for different characters to make the reading experience more dynamic and enjoyable.
Discuss the moral of the original fairy tales and compare them with the altered versions in 'Revolting Rhymes'.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character, discussing why they made those choices.
After reading, engage in a creative activity where you and your child rewrite an ending to one of the tales together.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking
Explanation: Revolting Rhymes twists traditional fairy tales, encouraging children to question and think critically about the stories they are told.
Real-World Application: Children learn to analyze and question information rather than accepting it at face value, a skill applicable in academic settings and everyday decision making.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Imagination
Explanation: Roald Dahl's unique reinterpretations of classic fairy tales showcase creative storytelling, which can inspire children to think creatively.
Real-World Application: This promotes imaginative play and creative writing, encouraging children to invent their own stories or alternative endings to their favorite tales.
Example Lesson: Moral Reflection
Explanation: By altering the outcomes and moral lessons of well-known stories, Dahl invites readers to reflect on the underlying morals of the stories they consume.
Real-World Application: This helps children develop their own sense of morality and ethics by considering what they would do differently in similar situations.
Example Lesson: Sense of Humor
Explanation: The humorous and often irreverent tone of the book helps children develop a sense of humor by presenting stories in a funny and unconventional way.
Real-World Application: Understanding humor aids in social interactions and helps children cope with stress through laughter.