The Emperor's New Clothes
illustrations by
on Goodreads (14,983)
What’s inside...
Two rascally weavers convince the emperor they are making him beautiful new clothes, visible only to those fit for their posts, but when he wears them during a royal procession, a child recognizes that the emperor has nothing on. In this delightfully funny retelling of the classic story, the emperor hires two tailors to make him a new set of elegant and magical clothes - clothes that foolish people will think are invisible! When the emperor parades through town in his fine new clothes, while really just wearing polka-dotted shorts, only a child is willing to speak up and tell the truth.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the story tells us about honesty?
Why do you think the emperor couldn't see the clothes?
How would you feel if you were in the crowd watching the parade?
What would you have done if you were the little child in the story?
How important is it to tell the truth, even if it might not be what others want to hear?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the reasons behind each character's actions and how they might feel in those situations.
Discuss the concept of honesty and its importance in everyday life, relating it back to the story.
Ask your child to imagine they are different characters in the book and to speak or act as they would.
Highlight the moral of the story and relate it to personal family values on truthfulness and integrity.
Use expressive reading to emphasize the humorous and absurd parts of the story, making the discussion enjoyable.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Honesty
Explanation: The story highlights the importance of honesty through the character of the child who speaks the truth about the Emperor’s new clothes.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of speaking the truth, even in situations where it may be difficult or unpopular.
Example Lesson: Critical Thinking
Explanation: The townspeople initially go along with the pretense that they can see the clothes. The story encourages critical thinking and questioning rather than blind conformity.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to assess situations independently and make decisions based on their observations and knowledge rather than just following others.
Example Lesson: Courage
Explanation: The child’s act of pointing out that the Emperor is not wearing any clothes despite the crowd’s agreement demonstrates courage.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the importance of standing up for what’s right, even if they are standing alone.
Example Lesson: Integrity
Explanation: The narrative displays the lack of integrity on the part of the weavers who deceive the Emperor, highlighting the consequences of deceit.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand the importance of being honest and fair in their actions and the negative impact of dishonesty.
Example Lesson: Social Influence
Explanation: The story exemplifies how people can be influenced by others around them to go along with false truths, showing the power of social influence and peer pressure.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to be mindful of peer pressure and to think for themselves rather than succumbing to group influence.