The Four Gallant Sisters
What’s inside...
A variation of two tales from the Brothers Grimm, in which four orphaned sisters disguise themselves as men to go out in the world and learn a trade. Disguised as men, the four young orphaned sisters join the household of a king, where they demonstrate their resourcefulness, courage, and intelligence. Four orphaned sisters disguise themselves as men so as to go out into the world and learn a trade. Once each sister has become highly skilled, they join the household of a young king where they rescue a princess and her brothers from the clutches of a dragon. After they've proven that they are not only skilled but courageous, intelligent, insightful, and wise, they have to face one more challenge. Will they continue to convince the king that they're men? And having met four young princes, do the four sisters want to? Eric A. Kimmel has combined and reformulated two Grimm Brothers stories to give us a view of girls who are active and powerful and good—who do the rescuing themselves and end up living happily ever after. The story takes place in a richly textured court filled with traditional splendor, which Tatyana Uditskaya modeled after sixteenth-century Flemish and Spanish paintings.
Age
7-9
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think made each sister special in her own way?
How did the sisters work together to overcome challenges?
What would you have done if you were in the place of one of the sisters?
How do you think the story would change if it was set in today's world?
What did you learn about bravery and cleverness from the sisters?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think deeply about the characters by asking them to relate personal experiences to those of the sisters. Highlight the importance of teamwork and ask how these values can be applied in their daily life. Promote imagination by asking how the story would differ in a modern setting. This not only enhances understanding of the narrative but also develops critical thinking skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: In 'The Four Gallant Sisters', the siblings work together to overcome challenges and rescue each other. Each sister uses her unique abilities to contribute to their collective success.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by understanding the importance of working with others, whether in school projects or in sports, to achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Courage and Bravery
Explanation: Throughout the story, each sister displays courage when facing danger. Their bravery in confronting challenges head-on is a central theme.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to face their fears and stand up for themselves and others in difficult situations, like dealing with bullies or trying new activities.
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness and Problem Solving
Explanation: The sisters use clever thinking and resourcefulness to solve problems and escape perilous situations, showing that intelligence and quick thinking are valuable traits.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think critically and creatively to solve problems, whether in academic settings or in everyday challenges.
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: The sisters not only save each other but also show kindness to others they meet along their journey. Their empathy is a key to their eventual success.
Real-World Application: Encouraging children to understand and share the feelings of others can improve their interpersonal relationships and foster a supportive community environment.