Rumpelstiltskin: Independent Reading Purple 8
Independent Reading Series
What’s inside...
A modern twist on the classic fairy tale, where a young girl outsmarts Rumpelstiltskin, a mystical creature who challenges her with impossible tasks. In this retelling, the young girl must try and spin straw into gold for a king, but she has no idea how. A strange little man appears to help her. This story is part of the Reading Champion series, designed to encourage independent reading skills in children aged 5-7 years old or those reading book band purple 8. The series is linked to book bands and developed with the help of experts from the UCL Institute of Education.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think Rumpelstiltskin wanted the queen’s first-born child?
How do you feel about the choices the miller's daughter made?
What would you have done if you were in the miller's daughter's place?
What do you think is the moral of the story?
How do you think the story would change if Rumpelstiltskin had a different request?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think deeply about the characters’ motives and decisions. Use pauses after each question to give them time to think and respond. Relate the scenarios in the book to real-life situations to help them understand the characters better. Lastly, assure them there are no wrong answers; it's all about exploring their thoughts and interpretations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of keeping promises
Explanation: In the story, the miller's daughter promises Rumpelstiltskin her first-born child in exchange for his help. This demonstrates the weight and consequences of making promises.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of integrity and the importance of fulfilling commitments they make to others in their daily interactions.
Example Lesson: The power of names
Explanation: Knowing Rumpelstiltskin’s name gives the miller's daughter power over him. This highlights how knowledge and information can be empowering.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of learning and remembering names, fostering respect and recognition in personal relationships.
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness in problem-solving
Explanation: The miller's daughter seeks help and uses her wit to discover Rumpelstiltskin’s name, showing clever problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think creatively and seek help when facing challenges, applying these problem-solving skills in schoolwork and friendships.