The Remarkable Rocket (Mini Classics)
Mini Classics Series
illustrations by
on Goodreads (1,036)
What’s inside...
The Remarkable Rocket, part of Oscar Wilde's collection of fairy tales in 'The Happy Prince and Other Tales,' tells the story of a self-important, delusional firework who believes himself to be the most magnificent and significant of all. The Rocket is so absorbed in his own rhetoric and vanity that he fails to fulfill his purpose of being set off for a royal wedding. He is left behind and eventually soaked by rain, which he believes to be everyone weeping for him. When he finally does explode, it is not as part of the celebration but in a lonely swamp, witnessed only by a few animals who are unimpressed. The story is a satirical fable about pride, vanity, and self-delusion, showcasing Wilde's wit and his critique of Victorian society.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-12
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Remarkable Rocket
Discussion points
How do you think the Rocket felt when he was not able to fly like he expected?
What lesson can we learn about pride and humility from the Rocket’s story?
Can you think of a time when something didn’t go as planned, just like the Rocket’s experience?
Why do you think the other fireworks reacted to the Rocket the way they did?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their feelings about the Rocket's situation, relating it to personal experiences of disappointment or unexpected outcomes.
Discuss the moral lessons of the story, emphasizing empathy and understanding towards others' perspectives.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next in the story at key points to develop their analytical thinking.
Align the discussion with real-life situations to make the themes of the book more relatable and meaningful.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of humility
Explanation: The Remarkable Rocket, despite being boastful and considering himself superior, eventually learns that his arrogance is misplaced. This transformation illustrates the value of humility.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate their own strengths and achievements without belittling others, fostering a more inclusive and respectful environment in their interactions.
Example Lesson: Understanding consequences
Explanation: Through the story of the rocket who fails to launch when expected due to his self-absorption, children see how one’s actions and attitudes can lead to unintended negative outcomes.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children to think about how their actions affect others and encourages them to consider the consequences before acting.
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: As the Rocket witnesses different characters experiencing various emotions, he slowly starts to understand and feel for others in the story.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand the importance of empathy in real life, encouraging them to support and care for those around them.
Example Lesson: The value of listening
Explanation: The Rocket often interrupts and doesn’t listen to the other characters, which results in misunderstandings and isolation. This shows how important it is to listen to others.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to improve their communication skills and relationships by listening actively and respecting others' opinions.