Update: These free read-aloud and activity downloads are now available as part of a complete set. Free registration is required.

“Thumbelina” is a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen that tells the many adventures of a very tiny little girl.  Like all good once-upon-a-time fairy tales, this one has a happy ending where they all “live happily ever after.”  The Core Knowledge Foundation, known for their popular series What Your nth Grader Needs to Know, has made available for free download a Thumbelina Preschool Read-Aloud with corresponding Thumbelina Preschool Activities pages.

The read aloud is a full-color, beautifully illustrated version of Andersen’s tale, complete with sidebar suggestions for helping your child interact with the literature.

After reading the story together, you can use the activity sheet to help your child write a letter (he dictates it to you), and answer who, what, when, where, why questions about the story.  There are also a couple of suggested extension activities.

Wonderful way to enjoy this popular fairy tale with your youngest children — and free!

Free Resources

Thumbelina Preschool Read-Aloud

Thumbelina Preschool Activities

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Additional Resources

Hans Andersen’s Fairy Tales: First Series
Public domain book containing 20 of his favorite tales including “The Fir Tree,” “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Little Match Girl,” and more, including “Thumbelina.”

Sylvia Long’s Thumbelina
Three-page download with activities that fit any version.

ELA PK: Thumbelina
Lesson plan that goes with the above at UnboundEd.org.