The Selfish Giant
Bloomsbury children's classics Series
on Goodreads (9,541)
What’s inside...
The Selfish Giant, retold by Fiona Waters and illustrated by Fabian Negrin, is a classic story by Oscar Wilde about a giant who refuses to let anyone into his garden. When he returns from a trip and finds children playing there, he angrily expels them, causing his garden to wither away in an endless winter. Eventually, the return of a sad child who longs to play in the garden softens the giant's heart, making him realize his selfishness. He opens his garden to all, but must wait a lifetime to see the boy who taught him about generosity and love again.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the Giant changed his mind about letting the children play in his garden?
How did the garden react to the Giant's behaviour, and what does that tell us about the effects of kindness?
What can we learn from the little boy who helped melt the Giant's heart?
How do you think the story would be different if the Giant never allowed the children back into the garden?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start the conversation by reflecting on the Giant's emotions and actions, which can help children understand the moral of the story.
Encourage empathy by asking your child how they would feel if they were one of the children in the story, or even the Giant.
Discuss the transformation of the garden as a metaphor for the impact of generosity and love, prompting your child to think about how their actions can influence their environment.
After reading, consider revisiting the story's pivotal moments to see if your child would imagine alternative outcomes based on different choices made by the characters.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The power of kindness
Explanation: In 'The Selfish Giant', the giant learns that his selfishness leads to isolation and a lack of joy. When he finally opens his garden to the children, he experiences happiness and the return of spring, symbolizing the warmth of sharing and kindness.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of sharing and being kind to others. They can practice this by sharing their toys, helping friends in need, or including everyone in games at school or in the park.
Example Lesson: The impact of selfishness
Explanation: The story demonstrates how the giant's selfish act of building a wall to keep children out of his garden leads to perpetual winter. His garden becomes bleak and joyless, reflecting his internal state.
Real-World Application: This lesson can teach children that selfish actions can lead to loneliness and sadness. It encourages them to think about how their actions affect others and the benefits of thinking about the community's well-being.
Example Lesson: Redemption and second chances
Explanation: The giant's transformation from a selfish to a loving character shows that people can change and make amends for past mistakes. His actions to rectify his mistakes bring joy back to his life and the lives of the children.
Real-World Application: Children can learn that it is never too late to apologize and make things right. They can practice forgiveness and understand the value of personal growth and redemption.
Example Lesson: The joy of sharing
Explanation: When the giant shares his garden, it blooms with flowers and the presence of children's laughter, showing that sharing not only benefits others but also enriches our own lives.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in acts of sharing, whether it's their space, time, or belongings, and observing how it positively impacts their relationships and personal happiness.