Overview and Outcomes:

A useful starting point for this Writing Root would be to review what children already know about traditional tales and myths. The Root begins with reading a range of myths, legends, fables and traditional tales, where children identify and discuss common themes, for example good over evil, wise over foolish, etc.  The class then look at the Pied Piper of Hamelin and sequence the key events using a storyboard and describe the key characters, with reference to the text. Children prepare reports on rats in response to a request from the mayor.  Using a familiar story theme, children plan and write own stories in style of myth/legend/fable, etc.

Summary of Text:

In the town of Hamelin, the rich and greedy live like kings and queens while the poor and sick scavenge rubbish tips for scraps. A lame orphan boy tells the classic tale of how a plague of rats takes over the town and how a fantastic piper offers to rid Hamelin of its rats for a single gold coin, then lures away the town’s children when the greedy mayor breaks his word. Masterfully weaving contemporary social and environmental themes into a gripping tale, and celebrating it with breath-taking illustrations, former British Children’s Laureate Michael Morpurgo and illustrator Emma Chichester Clark team up to create a compelling new take on this timeless story.

Text Rationale:

We chose the Michael Morpurgo version of this folklore classic for the richness of the language which brings this classic historical tale to life.  Children will be able to expand their knowledge of one of Britain’s most celebrated children’s authors. Covering social and environmental themes, the story creates links with the PSHE and geography curriculums and will provide a platform for discussions around fairness, equality and the consequences of our actions.  

Links and themes:

Germany, legends, rats, justice, fairness, equity

Date written: April 2014            Updated: December 2021