The Pied Piper of Hamelin (Illustrated)
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What’s inside...
'The Pied Piper of Hamelin - with Kate Greenaway illustrations' is a children's poem by Robert Browning about the mysterious disappearance of many children from a town in Lower Saxony, Germany. This version is distinguished by the vivid illustrations of Kate Greenaway, a celebrated children's book illustrator. Her artwork, first published in 1888, complements Browning's text, enhancing the narrative and contributing to the book's lasting appeal. The book celebrates the 'Golden Age of Illustration' and is published by Pook Press in high-quality color editions to preserve the legacy of both Browning's poetry and Greenaway's illustrations.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-17
Length
50 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the Pied Piper to lead the children away?
How did the townspeople react to the Piper's actions, and what does that teach us about promises and trust?
Why do you think the Piper chose to use music to gather the children? How is music important in our lives?
If you were a townsperson, what would you have done differently in this story?
Can you think of a time when you felt disappointed by someone not keeping a promise? How did that make you feel?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, highlighting the importance of understanding different perspectives.
Discuss the consequences of the town's actions and the Piper's response, relating it to the importance of trust and accountability in real-life situations.
Invite your child to consider alternative endings to the story, fostering creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
Use the story to discuss the power of music and arts, encouraging your child to explore their own musical interests or talents.
Highlight the moral lessons from the story and relate them to personal experiences, which can help reinforce these values in your child’s life.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of keeping promises
Explanation: In the story, the town of Hamelin fails to keep their promise of paying the Pied Piper for ridding the town of rats, which leads to consequences.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of honesty and maintaining trust in their daily interactions and agreements.
Example Lesson: The consequences of greed
Explanation: The town’s refusal to pay the Piper, despite their agreement, because they no longer see the rats, highlights the negative impacts of greed.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to appreciate and fairly compensate the efforts of others, rather than taking them for granted or exploiting them.
Example Lesson: Responsibility for one’s actions
Explanation: The Piper takes all the children away when the adults in the town do not honor their word, demonstrating that actions have repercussions.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand that their actions have consequences and they must think about the effects of their decisions on others.
Example Lesson: The power of music and art
Explanation: The Pied Piper uses his musical pipe to lead the rats away, showing how music and the arts can be powerful and impactful.
Real-World Application: Inspires children to explore and appreciate music and the arts as a form of expression and influence.