The Pied Piper
Classics illustrated Series
illustrations by
on Goodreads (2,998)
What’s inside...
A fun retelling of Robert Browning's classic tale for beginning chapter book readers! The town of Hamelin is overrun with rats, causing chaos and destruction. The desperate townspeople are then approached by a mysterious stranger who promises to rid the town of rats for a price. The townsfolk must decide whether they can trust this stranger and if the cost of his services is worth it. Additionally, First Lady Barbara Bush reads the story of Hamelin, a German town plagued by rats, the magical piper who gets rid of the rats, and the revenge he takes when the town refuses to pay for his services. Book available.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-5
Length
52 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Pied Piper
The Corporation
The Mayor
Discussion points
What do you think about the Pied Piper's decision to lead the children away? Do you think it was fair?
How did you feel when the townspeople broke their promise to the Pied Piper?
What are some ways the town could have resolved their problem with the rats without breaking their promise?
If you were one of the children in Hamelin, would you have followed the Pied Piper? Why or why not?
What lesson can we learn from the story about making and keeping promises?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think deeply about the themes of trust and consequences in 'The Pied Piper.' Ask them to consider different characters' perspectives and motivations. Discuss the moral lessons that can be drawn from the story, and relate them to real-life situations your child might encounter. This can help develop empathy and ethical reasoning. Use the story as a starting point to talk about the importance of keeping promises and the impact of our actions on others.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of keeping promises
Explanation: In 'The Pied Piper,' the town of Hamelin fails to keep their promise to pay the Pied Piper for ridding the town of rats, leading to dire consequences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of honesty and integrity, understanding the importance of fulfilling commitments in daily interactions with friends and family.
Example Lesson: The consequences of greed
Explanation: The leaders of Hamelin choose greed over honor, attempting to cheat the Pied Piper out of his rightful payment, which results in the loss of the town's children.
Real-World Application: This teaches children about the negative effects of being greedy and the importance of generosity and fairness towards others.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and accountability
Explanation: The Pied Piper takes responsibility for solving Hamelin's rat problem effectively and expects the town to be accountable for their part of the agreement.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of taking responsibility for their actions and being accountable for fulfilling their duties and promises.
Example Lesson: The impact of decisions on others
Explanation: The decision of the town's leaders to not pay the Piper had unintended consequences on the entire community, highlighting how individual choices can affect others.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to consider how their decisions can impact their friends, family, and community, promoting empathy and thoughtful decision-making.