The Little Mermaid: The Classic Edition (Charles Santore Children's Classics)
Charles Santore Children's Classics Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
This edition of 'The Little Mermaid' brings to life the classic tale of a young mermaid princess who dreams of becoming human after falling in love with a prince she saves from a shipwreck. The story explores themes of love, sacrifice, and the longing for a different life as the mermaid faces great challenges and makes tough choices in pursuit of her dreams. The beloved tale is reproduced with original art by Charles Santore, featuring breathtaking illustrations brought to life using advanced technology. This edition showcases vivid colors and captivating spreads, making it a treasure for every home. It embodies themes of belonging, hope, love, and sacrifice, capturing the contrast of life under the sea and on land with magnificent depictions.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-12
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the Little Mermaid felt when she was away from the sea?
What do you think is the importance of sacrifice in the story?
If you were the Little Mermaid, would you have made the same choices? Why or why not?
How do the other characters in the story react to the Little Mermaid's decisions?
What does this story teach us about achieving our dreams?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the story, relating it to their own experiences of longing or desire.
Discuss the moral dilemmas presented in the book and ask your child what they would do in similar situations.
Highlight the consequences of the characters’ actions to teach lessons about responsibility and foresight.
Use the vivid illustrations in the book to ask your child to describe what they see and how it connects to the story.
After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene and explain why it stood out to them.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Sacrifice and selflessness
Explanation: The Little Mermaid sacrifices her beautiful voice and endures great physical pain in her pursuit of true love and an eternal soul.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of making sacrifices for the greater good and the well-being of others, teaching empathy and consideration.
Example Lesson: The consequences of choices
Explanation: The protagonist makes a significant decision to trade her voice for legs, which comes with unforeseeable challenges and hardships.
Real-World Application: This story teaches children that all decisions have outcomes and encourages them to think critically about the potential consequences of their choices.
Example Lesson: The power of resilience
Explanation: Despite facing numerous obstacles, the Little Mermaid remains determined to pursue her dreams, showcasing her resilience.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to stay strong and persistent when facing difficulties, reinforcing the value of perseverance in achieving goals.
Example Lesson: Understanding and accepting differences
Explanation: The Little Mermaid is curious about the human world, a place vastly different from her own under-the-sea home.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be open and curious about different cultures and environments, promoting inclusiveness and acceptance.
Example Lesson: True love and kindness
Explanation: Throughout the tale, the Little Mermaid shows kindness to the prince and truly loves him, which is evident in her actions and sacrifices.
Real-World Application: Teaches children about the importance of genuine affection and acting with kindness towards others, which are crucial for developing healthy relationships.