The Magic Porridge Pot
Usborne English Readers Level 1 Series
What’s inside...
A delightful tale of a pot that won't stop cooking porridge, leading to unexpected situations. An engaging retelling of the well-loved European folktale for young English language learners, charmingly illustrated. Based on a story by the Brothers Grimm, it follows Katie, a kind girl who shares her limited food with animals and birds. One day in the forest, she shares her bread and cheese with an old woman who gifts her a magical pot. This pot cooks unlimited porridge on command, but Katie must figure out when enough is enough. The book includes fun activities and is available in both British and American English audio.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
21 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What would you do if you had a magic porridge pot?
How do you think the little girl felt when the porridge wouldn't stop pouring?
Why is it important to listen carefully and follow instructions?
How can we help others who don't have enough food?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive tones to mimic the emotions of the characters while reading to make the story come alive.
Encourage your child to imagine their own magical object and discuss the responsibilities that come with it.
Relate the story's theme to your child’s experiences by discussing times when they needed to follow instructions carefully.
Discuss the moral of the story and encourage empathy by talking about ways to help others in your community.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of listening carefully
Explanation: In 'The Magic Porridge Pot,' the story revolves around a magical pot that cooks porridge on command, but only if the command words are used correctly. The chaos ensues when the main character forgets the exact words to make the pot stop cooking.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of paying attention and listening carefully to instructions, which is applicable in school settings when they need to follow teachers’ directions accurately.
Example Lesson: Understanding responsibility
Explanation: The protagonist must handle the responsibility of controlling the magic pot. The story highlights the consequences of not managing it responsibly, resulting in the town being flooded with porridge.
Real-World Application: It helps children understand the importance of managing responsibilities, whether it’s caring for a pet, completing homework, or keeping their room tidy.
Example Lesson: The consequences of greed
Explanation: The overflowing of porridge serves as a metaphor for the consequences of greed and the lack of moderation.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to moderate their desires and understand that excessive wants can lead to negative outcomes, teaching them to be content and grateful for what they have.
Example Lesson: The power of sharing
Explanation: Ultimately, the community comes together to eat the porridge and resolve the issue, showcasing how sharing can solve problems.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to share with others, emphasizing that cooperation and sharing can lead to positive outcomes in communal and social settings.