The Pea and the Princess
on Goodreads (543)
What’s inside...
This book humorously explores the famous pea-under-the-mattress test to distinguish a Real Princess from a Fake Princess. It delves into how one could feel a tiny pea under twenty mattresses, effectively putting any doubts to rest. The book was Mini Grey's first and was shortlisted for the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal in the UK. It serves as a precursor to later favorites like Traction Man is Here!
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think the pea felt being under all those mattresses? Can you imagine how you would feel in its place?
What do you think makes someone a true princess or prince in this story?
Why do you think the queen wanted to test the princess with a pea?
What are some other ways the princess could have proven she was a real princess?
How would you change the story if you could? What would happen to the pea?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings and thoughts by relating the scenarios in the book to their personal experiences. Ask them to think about times they have felt uncomfortable and how they dealt with it, similar to the princess on the pile of mattresses. Use follow-up questions to deepen the conversation, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and problem-solving. Lastly, invite your child to become a storyteller by reimagining parts of the book or creating a different ending, which helps enhance their creative thinking and narrative skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: The princess in the story keeps trying different ways to remove the pea, despite numerous obstacles, demonstrating the importance of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of persisting through challenging tasks or situations, understanding that effort can lead to success.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving
Explanation: The princess creatively uses various methods to try and get comfortable, showcasing innovative problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply creative thinking to overcome problems in their daily lives, whether it's figuring out how to organize toys or resolving conflicts with friends.
Example Lesson: Empathy
Explanation: The story provides a perspective on the princess's discomfort caused by the small pea, emphasizing the significance of understanding and considering others' feelings.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be attentive and compassionate towards others' discomforts or needs, fostering a caring attitude.
Example Lesson: Importance of Sleep
Explanation: The princess struggles to sleep due to the pea, illustrating the impact of a poor sleeping environment on well-being.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the necessity of a comfortable sleeping environment for good health and mood, emphasizing habits like setting a proper bedtime routine.
Example Lesson: Attention to Detail
Explanation: The story highlights how something as small as a pea affects the princess's sleep, showing that even minor details can be significant.
Real-World Application: This teaches kids to pay attention to the small details in their tasks or responsibilities, improving their ability to complete work meticulously and thoughtfully.