The Wolf and the Seven Kids
Magical Fairy Tales Series
What’s inside...
The Wolf and the Seven Kids is a classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale about a mother goat who leaves her seven kids at home while she goes out to find food. Before she leaves, she warns her kids to not open the door to strangers, especially not to the wolf. The wolf, however, tricks the kids by disguising his voice and appearance, and eventually gains entry to the house. He then proceeds to eat six of the kids, but the youngest one hides and survives. When the mother goat returns and discovers what has happened, she and the youngest kid come up with a plan to rescue the other six kids from the wolf's belly. Together, they manage to trick the wolf, save the siblings, and fill the wolf's belly with stones, which eventually leads to his demise.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Mother Goat
The Six Older Kids
Youngest Kid
Wolf
Discussion points
What do you think the seven kids learned from their experience with the wolf?
How do you think the mother goat felt when she found out the wolf had tricked her kids?
Why is it important to be cautious and not trust strangers immediately?
If you were one of the kids, what would you have done differently?
How did the actions of the wolf and the kids affect each other?
Tip: Role play these questions
Before reading, briefly discuss the title and cover illustration to predict what the story might be about.
Pause at key moments in the story to ask your child how they feel about the characters' decisions.
After reading, encourage your child to retell the story in their own words, focusing on the motives and feelings of the characters.
Encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene, helping them connect visually and emotionally with the story.
Discuss the real-life implications of the story, such as the importance of listening to trusted adults and being wary of deception.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of listening to and trusting parental guidance.
Explanation: In the story, the mother goat instructs her kids not to open the door to anyone. This advice is crucial for their safety but is ignored by the kids, leading to dangerous consequences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of listening to their parents or guardians, who often have their best interests at heart and more experience to guide them safely.
Example Lesson: Being cautious of strangers.
Explanation: The wolf in the story uses cunning tricks to deceive the kids and gain entry into their home, showcasing the dangers of trusting strangers too quickly.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this to real life by being wary of unknown individuals and understanding the importance of stranger safety.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking and problem solving.
Explanation: The kids initially fail to recognize the wolf due to his disguised voice. This emphasizes the need to think critically and not just rely on superficial appearances.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to think critically about situations and not accept things at face value, enhancing their problem-solving skills in everyday scenarios.
Example Lesson: The power of unity and teamwork.
Explanation: After the unfortunate events, the remaining kid and the mother work together to rescue the other siblings, illustrating how teamwork can overcome challenges.
Real-World Application: Children learn that working together with others can lead to successful outcomes and solving difficult problems, reinforcing cooperative behavior.
Example Lesson: Consequences of disobedience.
Explanation: The story clearly demonstrates the negative outcomes that can arise from not following instructions, as the kids face danger due to their disobedience.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of following rules and the consequences that might follow if they choose to ignore them.