The Princess And The Wizard

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“The princess may try seven times to escape By changing her colour and changing her shape.”

But each time Princess Eliza changes – into a blue fish, a yellow chick, a red fox or a black cat – the wicked wizard finds her and sets her another horrible task. Will this plucky princess be able to outwit him and escape back to the palace in time to cut her birthday cake?

Teaching Ideas and Resources:

English

• Look through the text and find all of the synonyms for ‘said’.
• Think of words and phrases to describe the birthday party scene at the beginning of the book.
• Create some invitations for Princess Eliza’s birthday party.
• Imagine that you have your own fairy godmother. Write a story about how she could help you.
• Find the rhyming couplets used in the story. Can you think of any other rhyming words?
• Write your own poem (with or without rhyming couplets) to describe the wizard / fairy godmother.
• Carry out a role play activity to interview the wizard, princess or fairy godmother. What are their thoughts about the different events in the story.
• Rewrite the story (or a part of it) in the first person, from the point of view of the wizard or Princess Eliza.
• Make a list of words to describe the different settings in the story (e.g. the party, the cellar in the castle).
• Create a sequel to the book. What happens to the princess / wizard next?

Maths

• Make a shopping list for a birthday party. How much would each item cost? How many of each will you need if there are 10, 20 or 100 guests?
• Make a timetable showing the different events of the story and the days they happened on?

Design Technology

• Design and make a new sparkly dress for Princess Eliza. Can you design a new sparkly outfit for the wizard / fairy godmother too?

Art

• The book is full of glittery illustrations. Can you create your own sparkling pictures?
• Imagine that you have your own fairy godmother. Can you draw a picture of her?
• Princess Eliza turns into different objects with different colours. Can you make a list of, or draw, things that are each colour for Princess Eliza to turn into?
• Make a list of colours. How many can you think of?
• Experiment with colour mixing. Can you make new colours and make a poster to teach people how you made them? (see Resources below)

Music

• Compose a piece of music to accompany the arrival of the fairy godmother / evil wizard. How do the styles of these differ?

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