The Emporer's New Clothes
Classic tales easy readers Series
What’s inside...
Introducing ten new phonic fairy-tale books designed to develop the reading confidence of young children. The books are aimed at children who can read a little, but who need lively but structured books to help them develop their skills further, focusing particularly on phonics. Using a familiar tale, the entertaining, rhyming text complements the child's more formal learning. A page at the beginning of each book helps adults to understand how best to use the book with the child. At the end of each book, there are fun activities to reinforce the key phonic sounds from the book. Clare Fennell's charming illustrations will engage and entertain children as they read.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think about the clothes that everyone pretended to see?
Why do you think no one wanted to tell the emperor that he was not wearing any clothes?
How did it make you feel when the child finally told the truth?
What would you do if you were in a similar situation as the townspeople or the emperor?
Can you think of a time when you were afraid to tell the truth? What helped you to be honest?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story without fear of judgment. This promotes honesty and open communication.
Discuss the importance of truth-telling and its consequences in various situations, linking them back to the book’s events.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings based on different choices made by the characters, fostering creative thinking.
Use real-life examples or situations where they faced moral dilemmas similar to those in the book to make the discussion relatable.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: In 'The Emperor's New Clothes,' the emperor is deceived by two swindlers who pretend to make a suit of clothes invisible to anyone who is unfit for their position or 'hopelessly stupid.' Ultimately, it's a child's honest outcry that reveals the truth to everyone.
Real-World Application: Children learn that being truthful is valuable and that it often takes courage to speak the truth, especially when others are silent.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and questioning authority
Explanation: The subjects in the story initially do not question the absurd claim about the invisible clothes for fear of appearing unfit for their positions. The story demonstrates the folly of blindly following authority without critical examination.
Real-World Application: Encourages kids to question inconsistencies or illogical statements and not to follow others blindly, fostering independent thinking and confidence in their perceptions.
Example Lesson: The danger of conformity
Explanation: Everyone in the kingdom, despite seeing that the emperor is wearing nothing, chooses to conform by pretending to admire the imaginary clothes. This highlights the problems that can arise from peer pressure and conformity.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of forming their own opinions and not succumbing to peer pressure, promoting individuality and authenticity.
Example Lesson: Self-awareness and vulnerability
Explanation: The emperor, driven by his vanity, ends up in a vulnerable position due to his inability to admit his confusion about the 'invisible' clothes. This demonstrates how self-deception can lead to public embarrassment.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand the importance of self-awareness and admitting when they do not understand something, fostering a healthier self-image and emotional intelligence.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of deception
Explanation: The young child in the story who points out the emperor’s lack of clothing demonstrates resilience by speaking the truth despite the general public's acceptance of the deception.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to stand up for what is right and to remain resilient, even when others around them choose deception or dishonesty.