FREE 5: The Sleeping Beauty by Trina Schart Hyman

This was the fairy tale of the Sleeping Beauty, Princess Briar Rose. Before she was born her mother could not bear a child until a frog came to her by the river and said to her that her most treasured dream would come true and that’s to have a child. When the frog’s words came true, he through a big feast and invited all of friends and relatives. He also invited all of the fairies to come and be involved in this joyous occasion. He invited them all to their castle except the oldest and meanest witch. When she found out, she stormed in and put a curse on the Princess when she turns fifteen. On that day she would fall into a deep sleep until she was kissed. On that day, the witches spell was so strong that the entire town fell into a deep sleep. For years, all of the men from surrounding towns tried to rescue the princess but couldn’t because thorn hedges had grown up around castle which made it impossible to get to her. On the hundredth year, a Prince was able to find the castle and rescue the princess with her kiss. When she awoke, the entire town awoke including the horses and flies on the walls. I would use this book with younger students and have them identify the main characters, plot, setting, and main events. I would then have them complete a flow chart or something that shows the events.