The Little Mermaid: Best-Loved Classics
on Goodreads (4)
What’s inside...
A beautifully illustrated retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's timeless fairy tale, 'The Little Mermaid'. The story follows a young mermaid princess who dreams of becoming human after falling in love with a prince she saves from a shipwreck. She makes a deal with a sea witch, trading her voice for legs, but the transformation comes with a heavy price. The tale is one of love, sacrifice, and the longing for a different world. This reimagining of the classic fairy tale, loved by generations, comes ahead of the highly anticipated Disney live-action movie, The Little Mermaid.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-4
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Ariel felt when she first saw Prince Eric?
What would you have done if you were Ariel and wanted something you couldn't have?
Why do you think it's important for Ariel to make a deal with Ursula, even if it was risky?
How do different characters in the story show what they value most?
What do you think is the moral of 'The Little Mermaid'? How can you apply this lesson in your own life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Highlight the emotional experiences of the characters, asking your child how they might feel in similar situations to deepen empathy.
Connect the story's themes to real-life scenarios your child might encounter to make the story more relatable and the lessons more applicable.
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings for the story to foster creativity and critical thinking.
Discuss the consequences of the characters’ actions to enhance moral reasoning skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The value of sacrifice
Explanation: In 'The Little Mermaid', the mermaid sacrifices her voice and endures great pain to gain a human soul and the chance to win the prince's love.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of sacrifices for greater goods or for the happiness of others, reinforcing the value of selflessness in personal relationships.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences
Explanation: Throughout the story, the Little Mermaid faces various consequences of her decisions, such as losing her voice and experiencing excruciating pain when walking.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that every decision has a consequence, encouraging them to think through their choices and consider potential outcomes before acting.
Example Lesson: The power of resilience
Explanation: The Little Mermaid shows immense resilience as she faces the challenges of her transformation and the hardships for love.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of adversity, inspiring them to persist despite difficulties.
Example Lesson: True love and unselfishness
Explanation: The story concludes with the mermaid choosing the prince's happiness over her desires, illustrating profound unselfishness and true love.
Real-World Application: This highlights to children the importance of considering others’ feelings and the nature of unconditional love, promoting empathy and selflessness in relationships.
Example Lesson: Facing reality and acceptance
Explanation: Ultimately, the Little Mermaid faces reality when the prince marries another, and she accepts her fate with grace.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of acceptance when faced with undesirable outcomes and the strength in facing reality with maturity and grace.