Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that the Little Prince, a young child, allows himself to be bitten by a poisonous snake in order to return to his planet. While the author takes some pains to make it clear that he has not died, it could be taken by some as a death by suicide, and might disturb some children.
Families who read this book could discuss the kindly philosophy of this classic tale. Pick any of the now famous lines: "You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed." "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." "The stars are beautiful, because of a flower that cannot be seen." Or any of a dozen others, and ask your child what he or she thinks it means.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Matt Berman
This most beautiful and thoughtful of children's classics really isn't for children. Though it looks like a picture book, with its size, brevity, and the author's delicate watercolors, its thoughtfulness and nostalgia for childhood appeal more to teens and adults. Nevertheless, curled up with the right adult -- who can read it aloud and take time to discuss it throughout -- kids with the patience for a slow and gentle tale can find their introduction to its kindly philosophy one of their most vivid moments in childhood.
Many adults look back on it with a catch in the throat, and have a special place for it in their hearts. This gentle picture book, concerned with the true "matters of consequence," was as much a part of growing up for those of a certain age as The Lord of the Rings or the Beatles. There quite literally has never been anything like it, though others have certainly tried.
It was originally translated from the French by Katherine Woods. A few years ago Harcourt announced a new edition with restored art and a new translation. But messing with a masterpiece is always a dangerous undertaking. The art is marginally brighter, and the new translation adds nothing to the story, while managing to take away all of the poetry of the original translation. It's much like comparing the King James with modern translations of the Bible. The differences are minor (more contractions, simpler words, changed order), but enough to destroy the rhythm and sap the beauty of the language. The older translation is still available in used bookstores and online.
Here are a few examples of the differences in translation. See which you prefer.
Old: I am very fond of sunsets. Come, let us go look at a sunset now.
New: I really like sunsets. Let's go look at one now.
Old: matters of consequence
New: something serious
Old: Well, I must endure the presence of two or three caterpillars if I wish to become acquainted with the butterflies.
New: I need to put up with two or three caterpillars if I want to get to know the butterflies.
Old: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
New: One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.
And worst of all:
Old: If this should happen, please comfort me. Send me word that he has come back.
New: If this should happen, be kind! Don't let me go on being so sad. Send word immediately that he's come back.
Translation grievances aside, the book is always worth introducing to kids. Why not pull out that old dog-eared copy tonight, when the sun is gone and the lights are low, curl up with a child, and remind each other of the true matters of consequence?
From The Book
He laughed, touched the rope, and set the pulley to working. And the pulley moaned, like an old weathervane which the wind has long since forgotten.
"Do you hear?" said the little prince. "We have wakened the well, and it is singing..."
Plot Summary:
A pilot crashes in the Sahara Desert. A thousand miles from any habitation, while attempting to fix his plane, he meets a strangely dressed little boy who seems to have come from nowhere, and who demands that he draw a sheep. "When a mystery is too overpowering, one dare not disobey," so the pilot attempts to draw a sheep.
Gradually the Little Prince reveals his story. He comes from a small asteroid, where he lives alone until a rose grows there. But the rose is demanding, and he is confused by his feelings about her. Eventually he decides to leave, and journey to other planets in search of knowledge. After meeting many confusing adults, he eventually lands on Earth, where he befriends a snake and a fox. The fox helps him to understand the rose, and the snake offers to help him return to his planet -- but at a price.
Related Books:
Other Kindly Children's Books Enjoyed by Adults:
Sir Gibbie by George MacDonald
Baby by Patricia MacLachlan
Wolf Story by William McCleery
The Dulcimer Boy by Tor Seidler
Frindle by Andrew Clements
Related Movie:
Movie musical version
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ViolenceThe little prince allows a snake to bite him so that he can return to his planet. |
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Social BehaviorThe lessons here are not simple, but they last a lifetime. |
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