Tales of Passed Times
What’s inside...
'Tales of Passed Times' is a collection of fairy tales by Charles Perrault, illustrated by John Austen. The collection, first popularized in the seventeenth century, includes both well-known stories such as 'Blue Beard', 'Little Red Riding-Hood', 'Sleeping Beauty', 'Puss in Boots', and 'Cinderella', and lesser-known ones like 'Riquet of the Tuft', 'Little Thumbling', and 'Princess Rosette.' The illustrations by John Austen, a key figure in the 'Golden Age of Illustration', bring these tales to life with vibrant colors and Art Deco influences. Pook Press has republished these stories in high-quality color editions to celebrate this era and ensure the tales and art continue to captivate future generations.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-12
Length
68 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the main lesson is from each story in 'Tales of Passed Times'?
How did the actions of the characters make you feel?
If you could choose, which fairy tale world would you like to visit and why?
Which character did you relate to the most and why?
How might the story have changed if the characters made different decisions?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading each tale, briefly discuss familiar fairy tales with your child to set a familiar context.
Pause after key events in each story to ask your child to predict what might happen next and why.
After reading, compare and contrast different tales within the book to help your child analyze the characters and themes.
Encourage your child to draw their favorite scene or character. Discuss the drawing, focusing on why they chose that particular scene or character.
Relate the moral lessons from the tales to real-life situations your child might encounter to enhance understanding and personal connection.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of caution and wisdom
Explanation: In 'Little Red Riding Hood', the protagonist's failure to heed her mother's advice about talking to strangers leads to perilous consequences.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of following safety guidelines from trusted adults and the potential dangers of interacting with strangers.
Example Lesson: Consequences of greed
Explanation: In 'The Master Cat, or Puss in Boots', the cat's master gains wealth through trickery and deceit, showcasing how greed can lead to unethical actions.
Real-World Application: This story can help children understand the value of honesty and the negative implications of greedy behavior.
Example Lesson: Value of resourcefulness
Explanation: Puss in Boots uses cleverness and resourcefulness to achieve his goals, which ultimately benefits both him and his master.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think creatively to solve problems and how using intelligence can lead to positive outcomes.
Example Lesson: Importance of kindness and empathy
Explanation: In 'Cinderella', despite being mistreated by her step-family, Cinderella remains kind-hearted, which leads to her ultimate happiness.
Real-World Application: This tale encourages kids to treat others with kindness and empathy, regardless of their own circumstances.