The princess and the pea: Based on the original tale by Hans Christian Andersen
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What’s inside...
In Judith Wolman's adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Princess and the Pea,' the story follows a prince who is in search of a true princess to marry. On a stormy night, a young woman who claims to be a real princess seeks shelter. To test her authenticity, the queen places a pea under twenty mattresses and twenty featherbeds. The next morning, the woman remarks she had a restless sleep due to something hard in the bed. This sensitivity is considered proof of her royal lineage, and she is declared a true princess. The prince marries her, and the pea is preserved in the kingdom's museum. This tale whimsically explores the expectations of royalty and the concept that true nobility can be identified through minor trials.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the princess felt the pea under all those mattresses? What does it tell us about her?
How do you think the queen felt when she discovered the princess could feel the pea?
What qualities do you think make someone a 'true princess' or 'true prince'? Are these qualities important?
If you were to add another challenge for the princess, what would it be and why?
How does this story show us that sometimes small things can make a big difference?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story. Ask how they would react to sleeping on a pile of mattresses with something small like a pea underneath.
Discuss the traits of characters in the story. For instance, talk about the wisdom of the queen and the sensitivity of the princess.
Use the story as an opportunity to talk about honesty and character. Discuss why it's important to have qualities like awareness and sensitivity.
Create a fun activity where your child can think of other minor irritants that could bother them while trying to sleep, similar to the pea. This can lead to a discussion about sensitivity and perception.
Encourage your child to discuss if they think the test to discover a 'true princess' was fair, fostering a conversation about fairness and justice.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Sensitivity and awareness
Explanation: The story demonstrates sensitivity through the princess who feels a pea under several mattresses, indicating her perceptiveness.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of being aware of their surroundings and paying attention to small details in their everyday life.
Example Lesson: Authenticity
Explanation: The princess proves her real identity by being sensitive enough to feel the pea, showing that genuine traits can reveal true nature.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to value authenticity and be true to themselves in various situations, whether at school or with friends.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Despite the discomfort she felt, the princess spent the night on the bed piled high with mattresses and did not complain, demonstrating resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face challenges without complaint and cope with uncomfortable situations resiliently.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking
Explanation: The queen devises a test to determine if the visitor is a real princess, highlighting the use of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to use critical thinking to solve their own problems and make thoughtful decisions.