The Pied Piper of Hamelin
Russell Brand’s Trickster Tales Series
on Goodreads (7)
What’s inside...
With text and images interacting to help develop visual literacy, this series presents well-known children's stories retold by top authors and illustrators. A simplified version of the tale in which the Pied Piper pipes the village free of rats, but when the villagers refuse to pay him for his services, he exacts a terrible revenge.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think about the Pied Piper's decision to lead the children away? Was it right or wrong?
How did the townspeople's actions affect the story? What could they have done differently?
If you were one of the children in Hamelin, how would you have felt when the Pied Piper started playing his music?
Why do you think the Pied Piper chose to use his music to solve the problem? Can music be powerful in real life?
What lesson can we learn from the story about making promises and keeping them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Begin the discussion with a brief recap of the story to refresh your child's memory and set the stage for deeper conversation.
Use emotional cues from the story to connect with your child. Ask how they felt during key moments in the story and share your feelings too.
Encourage your child to think critically by asking what they would have done differently if they were a character in the story.
Discuss the moral of the story and relate it to real-life situations your child might encounter, enhancing their understanding of ethics and consequences.
Praise your child for their thoughts and opinions to boost their confidence and encourage them to share more.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of keeping promises
Explanation: In the story, the town of Hamelin fails to keep its promise to pay the Pied Piper for ridding the town of rats, leading to unforeseen consequences.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of integrity and the importance of fulfilling commitments, whether it's returning a borrowed item or completing an agreed task.
Example Lesson: The consequences of greed
Explanation: The town's decision not to pay the Piper, despite the service he provided, stems from greed and leads to a harsh lesson when he takes away something valuable from them.
Real-World Application: This teaches kids about the negative impacts of being greedy and the benefits of generosity both towards others and within their community.
Example Lesson: Responsibility for one's actions
Explanation: The town ultimately faces the repercussions of their decision not to honor their agreement with the Pied Piper.
Real-World Application: Children learn that their actions have consequences and that being responsible is key to maintaining trust and respect with others.
Example Lesson: The power of music and art
Explanation: The Pied Piper uses his magical music to lead the rats away, showcasing how art can be influential and transformative.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to explore and appreciate different forms of art and understand how creativity can be used to solve problems and express oneself.