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The Frog Prince: a book club kit
Where it comes from. Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, two brothers in Germany, wrote this down in 1812. It was the very first story in their book.
In short (for the leader; it gives the ending away). A princess drops her golden ball into a deep well, and a frog offers to fetch it if she will let him be her friend and share her table. She promises, grabs the ball and runs off. The frog follows her home, and when she keeps her promise he turns back into a prince.
The lesson, in one line. Keep your promises, even when they are hard to keep.
Reading plan, by the story's parts. Meeting 1: Part One, “The Golden Ball” and Part Two, “The Promise”, pages 1–10 (about 6 minutes aloud); Meeting 2: Part Three, “Faithful Heinrich”, pages 11–17 (about 4 minutes aloud). Each stop's own questions, which never give away what comes next: The Frog Prince by chapter.
Questions to talk about
- What is the moral of The Frog Prince?
The story's answer: Keep your promises, even when they are hard to keep. The princess nearly breaks hers, and the spell is lifted only because she keeps it. - Who wrote The Frog Prince?
The story's answer: The Brothers Grimm, Jacob and Wilhelm, wrote down the German tale in 1812. Their name for it is The Frog King. - Why does the princess talk to the frog?
The story's answer: He offers to bring back her golden ball from the bottom of the well, and she promises him whatever he likes in return. - Who is Iron Heinrich?
The story's answer: He is the prince's loyal servant. He was so sad when his master became a frog that he put iron bands around his heart, and they burst when the prince was free. - Who in the story was kind, and who was not? How do you know?
Listen for: Ask for the moment in the story that shows it. - Which part would you change, and how would the story end then?
Listen for: There is no wrong ending; ask what else would have to change.
Did you know?
- Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm printed it in 1812 as the very first story in their fairy tale book.
- The Grimms' German title is “Der Froschkönig”, which means The Frog King.
- The prince's faithful servant Heinrich wore three iron bands around his heart, and they burst with joy at the end.
Activity: Draw the story as a map
On one big sheet, draw every place the story happens and the path between them. Mark the spot where things go wrong and the spot where they come right.
More to talk about
More facts for the leader
- The lesson is about keeping a promise, even when it is hard.
Words to teach before you start
- comfort: cheer up
- sternly: strictly
- plumes: tall feathers
- faithful: loyal and true
- spell: magic curse
- snatched: grabbed quickly
Questions leaders ask
How long does a The Frog Prince book club meeting take?
Reading it aloud takes about 10 minutes in all, so plan one meeting of 30 to 45 minutes, with time left for the questions. The reading plan on the sheet says where to stop.
What age is The Frog Prince for?
It is written at Peabody level 9, a grade 4 reading level, so most children at that level can read it alone. Younger children can listen to it read aloud.
Do the children need to read it before the meeting?
No. Each child can read it free on Peabody, before the meeting or together at it, and the questions work either way. The sheet's short version gives the ending away, so keep it for the leader.
How do I use the questions?
Start with the story's own questions, which have answers in the leader's notes, then move to the open ones and listen for reasons. There is no wrong answer to an open question. Stop when the group runs out of things to say.
Club kits for stories like this
- Cinderella (level 9)
- Hansel and Gretel (level 9)
- Puss in Boots (level 9)
- Rumpelstiltskin (level 9)
- The Brave Little Tailor (level 9)
- The Emperor's New Clothes (level 9)
How this kit is made
The short version, the facts and the first questions with their answers are the story's own, written for its page in Peabody's library and checked against the sources named there. The open questions, the activity and the plan are Peabody's, written for this kind of story. No part of it is written by a computer model.
Running the meeting: the meeting plans (30, 45 and 60 minutes) and the sign-up sheet.