Folk Literature: Graphic Novel
Peters, S. (2010). The Emperor's New Clothes. Mankato, Minnesota: Stone Arch Books.
This Emperor's New Clothes story is a re-telling of the classic tale, originally written by Hans Christian Anderson.
In a far away kingdom there lived a king who was obsessed with his clothes. He loved to buy the fanciest hats, shoes, and suits! One day he met two traveling merchants who offer to sew the king a special suit that had magical powers. However, the merchants are who they say they are and the king's new suit has one major flaw - that no one can see!
In a far away kingdom there lived a king who was obsessed with his clothes. He loved to buy the fanciest hats, shoes, and suits! One day he met two traveling merchants who offer to sew the king a special suit that had magical powers. However, the merchants are who they say they are and the king's new suit has one major flaw - that no one can see!
The story of the Emperor's New Clothes is a classic tale, teaching kids of the bad things that can happen when you are too greedy. I love the idea, however, of taking a book that most children know and recognize, and turning it into a graphic novel with dialogue bubbles. Using dialogue is a huge concept in the upper elementary grades. I think by introducing the concept through something relatable, such as a comic book, students are more likely to see how the dialogue can really enhance a story. I think a fun writing activity to do with student after reading this book would be to discuss what the swindlers were going to do next with all their new found wealth. Students could each write a short story or graphic novel, depicting the swindlers and their new wealth.
*At the end of this book, the re-telling author has included possible discussion questions as well as writing prompts.
Discussion Questions:
1) Why do you think it took so long for someone to point out that the emperor wasn't wearing any clothes?
2) Emperors are chosen at birth. Presidents are chosen by elections. Which way of choosing a leader do you think is better? Why?
3) If the Swindlers were caught, what do you think would be a fair punishment for them? Jail? A fine? Something else?
Writing Prompts:
1) Imagine that you're an emperor. What kinds of laws would you make? Would you be a strict and stern ruler, or a kind and caring ruler? Write about your kingdom.
2) The Swindlers make money by tricking other people. Have you ever been tricked? What did you do about it? How did it make you feel?
3) At the end of the book, the Swindlers ran out of money. Do you think it was wise to spend it so quickly? What would you have done with all that wealth?
*At the end of this book, the re-telling author has included possible discussion questions as well as writing prompts.
Discussion Questions:
1) Why do you think it took so long for someone to point out that the emperor wasn't wearing any clothes?
2) Emperors are chosen at birth. Presidents are chosen by elections. Which way of choosing a leader do you think is better? Why?
3) If the Swindlers were caught, what do you think would be a fair punishment for them? Jail? A fine? Something else?
Writing Prompts:
1) Imagine that you're an emperor. What kinds of laws would you make? Would you be a strict and stern ruler, or a kind and caring ruler? Write about your kingdom.
2) The Swindlers make money by tricking other people. Have you ever been tricked? What did you do about it? How did it make you feel?
3) At the end of the book, the Swindlers ran out of money. Do you think it was wise to spend it so quickly? What would you have done with all that wealth?
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