The Princess in Black and the Giant Problem
#8 of 11 in The Princess in Black Series
What’s inside...
The princess in black faces her biggest challenge yet, a giant! With the help of her faithful pony Blacky, she encounters daring adventures and takes on the daunting task of solving the giant problem. Along the way, she learns valuable lessons about courage, friendship, and the key to overcoming fear. With a noisy giant crashing around the kingdom, the Princess in Black uses the Sparkle Signal to call ALL her heroic friends together - for the biggest adventure yet. The Princess in Black is ready for her snowy playdate with the Goat Avenger and the Princess in Blankets. It's a perfect day to build snow monsters and battle them for practice. But just when they're about to wage battle, a huge foot smashes their snow monster. 'SQUASHY!' It's a giant, and it's smashing everything in its path! The giant is too strong for the three friends, so the Princess in Blankets has an idea: it's time to light the Sparkle Signal and summon help. With a rising crescendo of a plot and a delightfully surprising ending, the latest adventure in the New York Times best-selling series features all the Princess in Black's friends as heroes for the first time.
Character compass
Princess Magnolia (The Princess In Black)
The Princess In Blankets
Duff (The Goat Avenger)
The Giant
Discussion points
What do you think Princess Magnolia feels when she has to become the Princess in Black?
How do the Princess in Black and her friends work together to solve the giant problem?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone, like how the princess helps her friends?
What do you think is the most important lesson the Princess in Black teaches us in this story?
If you were a character in the book, who would you want to be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Set a positive tone by expressing excitement about the adventure aspects of the story.
Encourage empathy by asking the child how they would feel in the situations faced by the characters.
Highlight teamwork by discussing the importance of working together to solve problems, just like the characters do.
Use open-ended questions to encourage deeper thinking and engagement with the book’s themes.
Acknowledge and validate your child’s feelings and thoughts as they relate to the story, fostering a supportive environment for discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: The protagonist, Princess Magnolia, and her friends work together to tackle the giant problem, demonstrating that teamwork often leads to better solutions for big problems.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to collaborate with others, whether in school projects, sports, or simple games, understanding that collective effort can achieve greater outcomes.
Example Lesson: Problem-solving and Creativity
Explanation: Throughout the book, Princess Magnolia and her allies must think creatively to resolve challenges, showcasing the importance of innovative thinking in problem-solving.
Real-World Application: Kids learn to think outside the box in their day-to-day challenges, applying creative solutions to overcome obstacles at school or in personal tasks.
Example Lesson: Courage and Bravery
Explanation: Faced with a daunting giant, Princess Magnolia shows courage, teaching readers that bravery isn't about the absence of fear, but facing fear head-on.
Real-World Application: This lesson can inspire children to face their own fears, whether it’s speaking in front of the class, trying out for a sports team, or standing up to a bully.
Example Lesson: The Importance of Helping Others
Explanation: The story emphasizes the value of helping those in need, as the characters strive to protect their friends and community from the giant's threats.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of compassion and empathy, encouraging them to help others, whether it's assisting a friend in need or participating in community service.