The Paper Bag Princess Early Reader
Munsch Early Readers level 3 Series
What’s inside...
The Paper Bag Princess tells the story of Elizabeth, a princess who is set to marry Prince Ronald until a dragon destroys her castle, kidnaps Ronald, and burns all her clothes. Elizabeth dons a paper bag and sets out on a quest to rescue her fiancé. Along the way, she shows cleverness, bravery, and self-confidence, ultimately realizing that she does not need the prince to define her worth.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did you feel when Princess Elizabeth outsmarted the dragon?
What would you do if you were in Princess Elizabeth's shoes and had to rescue a friend?
Why do you think Princess Elizabeth decided not to marry Prince Ronald after she rescued him?
How do you think the story would change if the dragon was friendly?
What does being brave mean to you, like how Princess Elizabeth was brave?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine alternative endings for the story to foster creative thinking.
Discuss the characteristics of Princess Elizabeth and how she solves problems, highlighting the importance of cleverness and bravery.
Talk about the emotions of each character at different points in the story to help your child understand perspective and empathy.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene from the book, then describe it to build their narrative skills and memory recall.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empowerment and Independence
Explanation: The protagonist, Princess Elizabeth, showcases empowerment by saving herself and not depending on the prince. She uses her wit and resourcefulness to outsmart the dragon.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of self-reliance and believing in their own abilities to solve problems.
Example Lesson: Challenging Gender Stereotypes
Explanation: Elizabeth breaks traditional gender roles by taking on the role of the hero, a part typically reserved for male characters, demonstrating that bravery and heroism are not gender-specific.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to pursue roles and activities they are interested in, regardless of gender norms, promoting equality and inclusivity.
Example Lesson: Appearance vs. Reality
Explanation: The story reveals that Prince Ronald’s handsome appearance does not correspond with a noble or kind character, teaching that appearances can be deceiving.
Real-World Application: It helps children understand the value of inner qualities over outward appearances, shaping how they perceive and interact with others.
Example Lesson: Prioritizing Self-Respect
Explanation: When Prince Ronald criticizes her appearance, Elizabeth chooses to leave him, showing that self-respect is more important than being in a relationship where one is not valued.
Real-World Application: This lesson can guide children in establishing healthy boundaries and respecting themselves in their relationships.
Example Lesson: Creative Problem Solving
Explanation: Elizabeth uses her intellect and unconventional methods, like tricking the dragon, instead of physical force to save the prince, demonstrating the power of creative thinking.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to think creatively in their own lives, understanding that sometimes unconventional approaches can be very effective.