A Barefoot. Discussion. Guide. The Princess and the Pea. Retold & narrated by
Xanthe Gresham. Illustrated by Miss Clara. HARDCOVER W/ STORY CD.
A Barefoot Discussion Guide
The Princess and the Pea A BAREFOOT DISCUSSION GUIDE FOR ALL AGES 1. Xanthe Gresham is a storyteller and this is her version of the famous story, “The Princess and the Pea.” She writes about what sort of person the prince is. Why do you think she says that his heart was “skinless?” What does she mean? Why does it make his life difficult? 2. The prince longs to be loved by a princess. He thinks their love will feel like silk around his heart. Talk about how you think it feels to be loved. 3. If you were about to set out on a journey and needed to collect gifts for all the people you were going to meet on your travels, what things would you take? 4. The prince’s quest for a real princess is dangerous and full of adventure. He fights tigers in the jungle and snakes in the desert. Have you had an adventure while away from home? Tell us about it. 5. The prince’s cat travels with him. What animal would you choose as your companion if you were to set off on a dangerous journey? 6. The prince does not find a real princess. He feels angry and alone. Why? How do you feel when you don’t succeed at something? 7. Why do you think the prince couldn’t speak to any of the princesses that he met? 8. What do you think makes a true princess? 9. The queen sets a test to find out if the strange girl who arrives at the palace one stormy night is a real princess. Make up a test that you might set to find out if someone is a real prince or princess. 10. Xanthe Gresham is very good at describing things in similes — “as happy as a lark,” “as bright as the moon,” “hard as needles.” How do you feel when you’re happy? How do you feel when you’re sad? Can you describe how you feel with similes?
