Return to Narnia: Prince Caspian - A Study Guide
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Presents
Return to Narnia:
Prince Caspian
A Study Guide
Good theatre makes you think. Great theatre makes you feel.
For use with theatrical production by The Hampstead Stage Company
Written by Jennifer Henry, Education Director
© 2013 Hampstead Stage Company
Table of Contents
A Christmas Carol
page
Introduction
About Us: HSC and Pantomime Theatre……………..……………………………… 3-4
About the book and Author..………………………………………………………...……. 5
Summary................……………...………………………………………………………................… 6
Characters and Setting
The People……………………….………………………………………………………………..… 7
The Places………..………………..……………………………………………..……………… 8-9
For the Classroom
Main Themes.................................................................................................................................... 10
Vocabulary……...……………………………………….………………………………….... 11-12
Entry Points for Teachers………………………………………………………………… 13
Activities: Short and Long…………………………………………………..…..…… 14=15
Recommended Reading………………..…………………………………………………...………. 16
Did you Know?................................................................................................................... 9, 10, and 13
All About HSC
This year marks our 30th season! We are a nationally touring children’s theatre that
brings high quality, professional theatre to schools, libraries, and communities all
over the 48 contiguous states (everywhere but Hawaii and Alaska!). The Hampstead Stage
Company’s goal is to bring great books to life through live theatre, sparking an
interest in reading and creating a new way to use your imagination!
The Hampstead Stage Company got its name from our founders, who came to
America from the Hampstead area of London, England to pursue their dreams. Since its
inception, our company has grown into one of the largest educational touring
companies in the nation. Performing over 2,000 shows a year, we have performed for
over twenty million audience members!
Our interactive educational tours run year-round and are performed by two
professional actors, each playing multiple roles. Our scripts are original adaptations,
based directly on literary classics, and include children and adults from the audience.
The plays last one hour, with a question and answer session following the
performance. We travel to your space, and bring our own realistic sets and costumes;
designed using extensive historical research. Our productions are flexible enough to
fit into any assembly/performance space.
Theatre performance helps us learn things about ourselves and the world
around us. But more than that, by using our imagination we can be proud of who we
are, create goals for ourselves, and even help the way we think in school and at home!
Sometimes not every school gets to see live theatre —it’s thanks to your teachers and
parents for bringing cool shows like this to your school! So, make sure to say thank
you to them the way we do at the theatre – give them a round of applause!!
The Hampstead Stage Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Every HSC
study guide is available to download for free from our website!
Contact:
Jennifer Henry, Education Director: jennifer@hampsteadstage.org
Angie Hansen, Managing Artistic Director: angie@hampsteadstage.org
Website: www.hampsteadstage.org
3
All About Pantomime
The Hampstead Stage Company specializes in a special form of theatre
called pantomime. Don’t be fooled, we are not silent mimes with painted
faces! Pantomime, also known as “panto”, goes back much farther than that.
Panto is a form of theatre traditionally found in the United Kingdom, Aus-
tralia, Zimbabwe, India, and Ireland; and has been performed since the time
of Ancient Greece!
The world “pantomime” comes from the Greek
words pantos, “every, all”; and mimos, “imitator, actor”.
Pantomime in Ancient Greece used to mean a group
of actors and musicians imitating a story. Many
famous poets used to write scripts for these actors,
and were paid very well.!
Pantomime was first performed in England as a
show between the acts of an opera, so they could
change the set backstage. It became such a popular
performance, that it soon became a show of its own.
It is said that pantomime had its first full performance
in the early 19th century. Actors travelled from town
to town, performing well known stories that taught a
lesson, or encouraged the audience to think about the characters, and how
they solved the problems they were presented.
Now pantomime is a very well known form of theatre in England.
Shows are based on traditional children’s stories, and call for a LOT of
audience participation! In England, the audience often boos the villain
character, “awws” for the damsel in distress, and yells comments to the
characters such as: “he’s right behind you!”, “Oh, yes he is!”, or “Oh, no he
isn’t!”. Volunteers are often called on stage by the Hampstead Stage
Company to act as the Chorus. They become extras, playing many characters
in multiple scenes, and are often on stage as much as the two other actors!
HSC actors follow traditional pantomime casting: girls play boys, boys play
girls, and there are many, many costume changes. Actors rely on their
voices and physicality (they way they move their bodies) to portray different
characters. Just like all pantomime shows before; Hampstead actors travel
all over the country, performing in many different types of spaces!
4About the Book
Prince Caspian is a novel written by author Clive Staples (C.S.) Lewis.
Published in 1951, it is the second in the seven book series of The Chronicles
of Narnia (fourth if you look at the series in order of Narnian history). It
features the “return to Narnia” by the four Pevensie children, who are Kings
and Queens of old. They are magically called from a platform of a railway
to boarding school to help restore order once again. Together, and with
a memorable cast of new characters to lewis’ canon, they help crown the
rightful king, a young Caspian, and see him to the throne. Since its publica-
tion in 1951, Prince Caspian has been adapted and filmed by BBC Television
and as a Disney motion picutre.
About the Author
Clive Staples Lewis (29 Nov 1898 – 22 Nov 1963)
was called C.S. Lewis (he hated his names, and
preferred to be known as “Jack”. C.S. Lewis was
a novelist, broadcaster, theologian, poet, and
critic. born in Ireland to mother Florence
and Father Richard, Lewis immersed himself in
Norse, Greek, Irish, Latin, and other world
mythology and literature. We see many refer
ences from around the world in his Narnian
chronicles. He left his studies to volunteer
for the British Army during the First World
War, and arrived at the frontline on his nine
teenth birthday. His thoughts on war
changed significantly after seeing such
death, destruction, and being wounded dur-
ing his dury. Lewis taught at both Cambridge
and oxford Universities. Lewis is best known
for his fictional work, including The Chron
icles of Narnia and The Screwtape Letters. He
and fellow novelist J.R.R. Tolkein were close
friends, and were in a literary group called
the “Inklings”. Lewis was born into the
church, but fell away from the faith in his
teenage and early adult years. He returned
to the church in his thirties, and religion began to play a prominent part in
his later writing. He married American writer Joy Davidman, who died four
years after their marriage due to cancer. C.S. Lewis dies three years later
from Liver failure, one week before his sixy fifth birthday (and the same day
JFK was assassinated). Lewis was later memorialized in the Poets’ Corner of
Westminster Abbey.
5Summary
We meet the Professor about a year after our first journey into Narnia. He was the grown-
up responsible for taking care of the Pevensie children while the war was at its most brutal
in England. It was there that they found their way into a magical wardrobe that
transported them to Narnia. There, they became kings and queens, and helped restore
order and peace to a war ravaged land, much like their home. Now, they are on their way
to boarding school. The World War is still going on, but they are now getting back to a
more normal routine. It is Lucy’s first time to school, and she is worrying she may miss her
brothers too much. Suddenly, something pulls her off the train platform.
Peter, the oldest of the four, recognizes the feeling they are having to be magic, and they
all hold onto each other. When they open their eyes, they find themselves in an unknown
land, thick with trees and overgrown plants. Lucy wonders if they’ve made it to Narnia,
and Peter decides they better find food and shelter. While searching for supplies, and
trying to find their whereabouts, they find very familiar ground, and even a little chess
piece. They soon figure out that where they were taken was to their former castle, Cair
Paravel. Having only been there a year ago, they question how buildings could have fallen
and forest could have grown so quickly. The Pevensie children decide that Narnian time
must move much more quickly than time that we know. This would explain why they lived
in Narnia till they were old, and when they went through the wardrobe, only a few
seconds went by. While they reminisce about their years in Narnia, and regret they can only
find apples to eat, they suddenly hear someone coming.
On the other side of the country, we hear the cries and whimpers of Caspian. When young
Caspian’s parents died, he was left in the care of his uncle Miraz, and his wife Prunaprismia.
Miraz has been trying to take over the throne of Narnia, and only takes care of Caspian
until he can produce an heir of his own (the book says that Miraz and his wife cares for
Caspian about as much as an old pair of shoes!). Miraz yells at Caspian to stop dreaming
about silly stories of talking animals and high Kings and Queens from another world, that
they are all stories. Caspian runs in crying, and is soon met by his new tutor, Dr. Cornelius.
The doctor is hired by Miraz to teach Caspian to be a great soldier, but we soon learn Dr.
Cornelius has much more of Old Narnia in his heart than anyone knew. He tells Caspian
that Miraz killed his parents because his greed made him want to be king. All of the old
stories were true, and the tutor is there to help him reclaim the throne, and put Narnia
back into the hands of the rightful rulers. Though Caspian realizes his ancestors were the
ones who took the land away from the Narnians, he vows to make everything right. He
begins his quest to find the High Kings and Queens, and to speak to the Narnians.
Trumpkin, the dwarf, has met with Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy. Though he somewhat
believes that they are the kings and queens of old, he doubts their ability to help them
triumph because they are children. Lucy changes his mind about the power of younger
people by twisting his mind in a Narnian riddle. As Trumpkin tells her about strange things
that have been happening in Narnia, Lucy realizes that it was the Great Horn, the one Susan
had in Narnia so many years ago, that called them back to aid the Narnian people. She,
Susan, her brothers, and Trumpkin head to Aslan’s How to see if they can find Aslan and
begin to plan a victory.
As Caspian flees his uncle and tries to contact Narnians (who have been in hiding for years),
he falls asleep. We meet Reepicheep, the martial mouse of twelve, and loyal Narnian. After
wanting to run Caspian through with his dagger as a traitor, Reepicheep learns who
Caspian really is. he vows to help him take his rightful crown. They soon meet the Pevensie
children, who have finally donned their royal robes. They decide to send Miraz a
challenge, even though he might not believe that children can be so powerful. Miraz
mocks the challenge, saying it would be too easy of a fight against a child.
Caspian bests his uncle in a swordfight, and takes the rightful throne. he vows to take care
of people and animals smaller than him. The Narnian people celebrate, and have a great feast
to honor a new king that will respect them and rule in kindness and love. The High Kings
and Queens of old are transported back to the train station in England. But their journey
will continue...
6Meet The Main Characters
Professor: A very wise old grownup who kept the Pevensie children during
a particulary bad time during the war. It is he who really created the portal
to Narnia through the wardrobe!
Lucy: The youngest of the Pevensie children. It was Lucy who found the way
to Narnia a year ago. When she was a Queen of Narnia, she was known for
her intelligence and wit. Her older sister is Susan.
Peter: The oldest child in the Pevensie family. Courageous and loyal, Peter
was the high king of Narnia, and this is now his last visit to the magical
land, as he gets older. Though his younger brother Edmund doesn’t admit
it, he looks up to him.
Trumpkin: A dwarf trying to put the rightful Narnian king on the throne.
While most dwarfs work for the wrong side, Trumpkin believes in the good
of Narnia.
Caspian: The rightful King of Narnia. When his parents were killed, Caspian
was never told of his heritage. Wants to protect those weaker and smaller
than him.
Dr. Cornelius: Caspian’s new tutor. Dr. Cornelius is actually part man, part
dwarf! He has been working to be able to help Caspian in his quest.
Reepicheep: a very spritely mouse. He is the leader of the Mouse Troops.
Though a little too excited to use his dagger most of the time, Reepicheep is
a loyal friend, and vows to help those loyal to Aslan and Narnia.
Aslan: The Great Lion. He was the Animal who created Narnia. Though not
always in the land, Aslan helps the Pevensies, the animals, and Caspian band
together to reclaim the throne.
Bulgy Bear, Trufflehunter, and Camillo: A bear, A badger, and a hare,
Respectively. This is also a part of our show where your teachers and friends
help us out! Not only do these actors help welcome the Kings and Queens,
but they help the Hampstead Stage actors backstage, and become different
characters throughout the show!!
Miraz: The Lord Protector of Narnia...a title he gave himself. He killed his
brother, Caspian’s Father, out of greed to take over the throne of Narnia.
Too much rich food and laziness has made him an awful ruler.
Glozelle and Sopespian: The messengers of Miraz. Though they are loyal,
they are not the brightest assistants, and actually help the Narnians defeat
Miraz by delivering a challenge to Miraz, and convincing him there is no
way a child could defeat him.
7The Places
England: A country part of today’s United Kingdom. In 1941, London was
still in the midst of World War II. President Roosevelt has just signed a law
allowing the United States to supply equipment to England. There were still
food shortages. This is the year of the Pearl Harbor bombing in the US, The
Blitz in England, and when Winston Churchill becomes Prime Minister of
England. The Pevensie children have returned from the safe and magical
countryside with the professor to a dark, dirty, and sometimes scary city of
London. The children may have been a bit happy and a bit sad to be returning
to school.
Narnia: A world that exists outside of the world we know, but is accessible
from everywhere in our world, at unexpected moments. There are countries
such as Archenland, Calormene, The Great Desert, Southern Waste, Aslan’s
Counrty, Telmar, and Witch Country. Just like our world, there have been
many battles for land and power. There are inhabitants like humans, but
also talking animals, fairies, dryads, talking trees, dwarfs, unicorns...and the
list continues! In Prince Caspian, the Telmarines have taken over power of
Narnia.
Old Narnia: The time in Narnia before the Telmarines took control. This
was when Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy helped defeat the White Witch, and
with Aslan’s help ruled the country in peace. After this time, trees stopped
talking and the animals remained silent, for fear they’d be banished or
killed.
Cair Paravel: The capital of the kingdom of Narnia. Cair Paravel was a beau-
tiful castle located on a peninsula near the Eastern Ocean (which is why is
was an island when the Pevensies returned many years later).
Telmar: A land far west of the kingdom of Narnia. Their society crumbled
because of their bad deeds to each other and their neighbors. Soon, they
had to find new places to live. The Telmarines (the natives of Telmar) in-
vaded Narnia and overtook the throne. Soon, the good people of Telmar
had enough of their people destroying another kingdom, and began to rule
with kindness and love. The bad Telmarines again took over when Miraz
Killed Caspian the Ninth.
8London, 1941.
Children left homeless by the bombings in England.
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9Main Themes
Taking Care of Those Who are Smaller: This story is full of people taking
care of those people and animals smaller or weaker than they are. For
instance, Reepicheep takes care of his fellow mice with his bravery and his
kindness. Cornelius takes care of Caspian by teaching him subjects his uncle
did not want him to know about. Caspian takes care of the Narnian people
by standing up for what is right, and treating them with respect. Many char-
acters speak up for those to afraid or sad to speak for themselves. Does
offering help to those who may need it more than we do make us better? Do
you know someone smaller or in need? How can we be helpful to them at
school? At home?
Looking for Magic in Everyday Places: Many people say they are bored with
the people or places around them. The story of Prince Caspian shows us that
sometimes you have to look a little harder to see the magical things around
you. Have you stopped to look at your surroundings lately? A rundown,
decaying building turned out to be the great castle Cair Paravel, where Pe-
ter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy ruled for years! If they hadn’t stopped to look,
they may have missed finding their treasure room, finding out what had
been happening in narnia, and the rediscovery of a place they loved entirely!
Look really hard at the places and people around you. Do you see positive
traits, favorite sights, and other qualities you’ve forgotten?
Did you Know?
There is a word for characters that are
animal but act like humans!
anthropomorphism is the term for giving human
qualities to an animal. You’ll notice that animals
like Aslan and Reepicheep are like that. They walk
on two legs, and talk like we do!
How do we make the actor playing Reepicheep
more like a mouse? His ears are made from grey
wool, and his tail is filled with Mung beans,
so it moves just like a mouse’s tail would! Just
think. if his tail gets wet, we’d have a tail full
of bean sprouts!!
10Vocabulary
Adventure: An unusual and exciting, typically hazardous, experience or
activity. Most definitely an exploration of the unknown!
Wardrobe: A large, tall cabinet in which clothes are hung and stored.
Basically, a closet not built into a wall.
Torch: The english term for a flashlight.
Ambassador: A diplomat sent by a country to represent them to a foreign
country. We now have so many different kinds of ambassadors! Prime Minis-
ters, missionaries, emissaries, consuls...the list goes on!
Coronet: A small or plain crown, worn by lesser royalty and peers.
Rhindon: The sword given to Peter on his first journey to Narnia. This was
the sword that defeated the White Witch and her minion Maugrim.
Cordial: A comforting and pleasant tasting medicine. Lucy was given a
bottle of cordial with amazing healing powers on her first trip to Narnia!
Superstition: a belief or way of behaving that is based on fear of the
unknown. For example, being scared of bad luck if a black cat crosses your
path, or walking under ladders.
Faun: A mythical creature that is part goat and part man.
Satyr: A mythical creature that is either part goat or horse, and part man.
They are especially fond of food and drink.
Dwarf: A short, stocky humanlike creature. Skilled in mining and metal
work. In Narnia, dwarves are usually associated with the dark or bad things
of Narnia.
The Horn: A magical hollowed, ivory and bone horn. Given to Susan on her
first trip to Narnia, it is used in times of emergency to call for help. It was
said that help would come any time the horn was blown. This is how the
Pevensie children were called back to Narnia!
Animal: In Narnia, Animals with a capital “a” are animals that can walk and
talk. There are regular animals, which don’t possess the same magical
qualities. (Animals eat animals in Narnia...which may be confusing to humans
like us!)
Battalion: A large number of troops, prepared and ready for battle.
Badger: A strong nocturnal animal who is a member of the weasel family.
They normally have a grey and black coat, and are known for being highly
intelligent.
Haste: to move swiftly, or act suddenly. There is an urgency to your action.
Heir: a person legally entitled to property or rank of another when that
person dies.
11Vocabulary Continued
Constellation: A group of stars forming a recognizable pattern.
Traditionally, constellations are named after what it looks like, or a
character in mythology. The sky we see is divided into 88 constellations!
Herald: an official messenger bringing news. We also call a sign that
something is about to happen a herald!
Treachery: A betrayal of trust. When something harmful is done against a
friend.
Honor: High respect or esteem towards a person. A privilege for a person.
Also, to fulfill a promise or keep an agreement.
Professor: A teacher of the highest rank. A person who affirms an
allegiance in something (the professor in the Chronicles of Narnia would
be both of these!).
boarding School: A school where students live during the school terms.
A Map of Narnia. Can you see where Prince Caspian takes place?
12Entry Points for Teachers
I. London during World War II
II. Greed
III. Superstitions
IV. Anti-Bullying
V. Pantomime Theatre
VI. Creating a Character
VII. War/Social Class Etiquette
VIII. Time Travel/Time Continuum
Did You Know...
...That you could live to be over 100,000 years old?
When Lucy and Peter realize they are in the
ruins of Cair Paravel, the are very confused. Though
they know they were only there a year ago in the time
measurement we know on earth, 1,300 years passed in
Narnia! Great forests grew up, and their wonderful
castle was reduced to dust and rubble.
If one year of our time is worth 1,300 years
in Narnia, how old are you? If you were 8 years old,
you’d be 10,400 years old! How old would your
parents be? Your grandparents? Your school?
13Activities: The Short
Creating a Character: Make your own character.
It can be from HSC’s performance, it can be a
character from a fairy tale, or your favorite book.
Use your imagination!
Draw a Picture – You can have your
students draw a picture, and include
as much detail as possible (e.g. costume,
expression on face, setting, etc.).
Physical Hooks – Find three physical
movements this character would do.
Would they flip their hair? Put their
hands on their hips if they were mad?
Practice these.
Voicing – Find three noises or words
your character would say. Do they have
a silly laugh? Do they growl? Do
they say their brother or sister’s
name in a certain way?
Lobsters and Lollipops!: C.S. Lewis has so much fun with Alliteration! There
are so many exclamations when characters can’t express how they feel in words we
know. Pick a few emotions: anger, fear, happiness, surprise, etc. Have your students
create an exclamation with two words that start with the same sounds for each
emotion. What Narnian characters would say something like this? Could you be
the same kind of animal/being? How would you use your body and voice to become
this character, or show that emotion with the two words you picked?
Activities: The Long
The Play’s the Thing: Write your own script (you can do this as the
“director”, or include your students to write collectively). Remember every
good story has a Setup (show your setting, introduce your characters), a
Problem, and a way to figure it out (the Resolution)! Maybe a character is
being selfish, but by the end, and with the help of some other characters,
they find a way to redeem themself and help out the world around them.
Don’t forget to include a part for yourself! C.S. Lewis can really paint a
picture with the names he creates. Pay special attention to hints you can
give us about the character with their name alone. Have your students read
or act it out. You can even act it out for the other classes in your grade!
Constellations: This is a chance to find magic right where you are! Find the
constellations that are in the sky where you are when we come to visit. Have
your students find these constellations at night, or recreate them by
drawing them, tin punching and then shining a flashlight through, etc.
Your class can even make their own constellation! Have them design a
constellation based on a favorite (or Narnian) character. What would the
star pattern be like? Would it be big or small?
14Activities: The Long continued
Narnian Riddles: Lucy may have twisted Trumpkin’s mind into a pretzel with
wordplay, but you can stump your students with some riddles from our world! See
page 17 for riddles, and keep the answers here a secret until you’re sure they’ll
never be able to guess!
Solutions - Narnian Riddles
1. A glove
2. A Towel
3. Your Name
4. It wasn’t raining
5. Your nose
6. Fire
7. A clock
8. An elephant’s Shadow
9. Three ducks
10. Short
11. Envelope
15Recommended Reading
The Chronicles of Narnia - The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe
Author: C.S. Lewis
Four adventurous siblings—Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy Pevensie—step through a wardrobe door and into the land of Narnia, a land frozen in eternal winter and
enslaved by the power of the White Witch. But when almost all hope is lost, the return of the Great Lion, Aslan, signals a great change . . . and a great sacrifice. Open
the door and enter a new world! The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is the second book in C. S. Lewis’s classic fantasy series, which has been captivating readers of
all ages with a magical land and unforgettable characters for over sixty years. Supports Common Core Standards. Recommended Grade Level: 3+
The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Welcome to the story of Despereaux Tilling, a mouse who is in love with music, stories, and a princess named Pea. It is also the story of a rat called Roscuro, who lives
in the darkness and covets a world filled with light. And it is the story of Miggery Sow, a slow-witted serving girl who harbors a simple, impossible wish. These three
characters are about to embark on a journey that will lead them down into a horrible dungeon, up into a glittering castle, and, ultimately, into each other’s lives. What
happens then? As Kate DiCamillo would say: Reader, it is your destiny to find out. Suppoirts Common Core Standards. Recommended Grade Level: 1+
Number the Stars
Author: Lois Lowry
As the German troops begin their campaign to “relocate” all the Jews of Denmark, Annemarie Johansen’s family takes in Annemarie’s best friend, Ellen Rosen, and
conceals her as part of the family. Through the eyes of ten-year-old Annemarie, we watch as the Danish Resistance smuggles almost the entire Jewish population of
Denmark, nearly seven thousand people, across the sea to Sweden. The heroism of an entire nation reminds us that there was pride and human decency in the world
even during a time of terror and war. Supports Common Core Standards. Recommended Grade Level: 3-7
Bridge to Terabithia
Author: Katherine Paterson
Jess Aarons’ greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in his grade. He’s been practicing all summer and can’t wait to see his classmates’ faces when he beats them all.
But on the first day of school, a new girl boldly crosses over to the boys’ side and outruns everyone. That’s not a very promising beginning for a friendship, but Jess and
Leslie Burke become inseparable. Together they create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the two of them reign as king and queen, and their imagina-
tions set the only limits. Then one morning a terrible tragedy occurs. Only when Jess is able to come to grips with this tragedy does he finally understand the strength
and courage Leslie has given him.. Supports Common Core Standards. Recommended Grade Level: 4-7
The Hunger Games Trilogy: The Hunger Games
Author: Suzanne Collins
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. Long ago the districts waged
war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called,
“The Hunger Games,” a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death
sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be
killed. Recommended Grade Level: 5+
Stuart Little
Author: E.B. White
Stuart Little is no ordinary mouse. Born to a family of humans, he lives in New York City with his parents, his older brother George, and Snowbell the cat. Though he’s
shy and thoughtful, he’s also a true lover of adventure. Stuart’s greatest adventure comes when his best friend, a beautiful little bird named Margalo, disappears from her
nest. Determined to track her down, Stuart ventures away from home for the very first time in his life. He finds adventure aplenty. But will he find his friend? Recom-
mended Grade Level: 2+
The Hobbit
Author: J.R.R. Tolkien
Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the
wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard
guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will
encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum. Supports Common Core Standards. Recommended Grade Level: 6+
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
Author: Richard Atwater
Poor Mr. Popper isn’t exactly unhappy; he just wishes he had seen something of the world before meeting Mrs. Popper and settling down. Most of all, he wishes he had
seen the Poles, and spends his spare time between house-painting jobs reading all about polar explorations. Admiral Drake, in response to Mr. Popper’s fan letter, sends
him a penguin; life at 432 Proudfoot Avenue is never the same again. From one penguin living in the icebox, the Popper family grows to include 12 penguins, all of
whom must be fed. Thus is born “Popper’s Performing Penguins, First Time on Any Stage, Direct from the South Pole.” Their adventures while on tour are hilarious,
with numerous slapstick moments as the penguins disrupt other acts and invade hotels. Recommended Grade Level: K+
Remember, above all, that you should be HAVING FUN!! Your students will be all the more enriched for this, and you’re doing a
wonderful service to performing arts everywhere. THANK YOU!!
We’ll be seeing you this fall! If there are any other questions, or for more ideas; please feel free to contact our Education Director,
Jennifer Henry, at: jennifer@hampsteadstage.org
BREAK A LEG!!
16Narnian Riddles
Do you have the intelligence and wit of Queen Lucy? Think you can solve these riddles? Give it a try!
1. They have not flesh, nor feathers, nor scales, nor bone. Yet they have fingers and thumbs of their own. What
are they?
2. What gets wetter and wetter the more it dries?
3. What belongs to you, but is used more by others?
4. If six children and two dogs were under an umbrella, how come none of them got wet?
5. I sometimes run, but I cannot walk. You always follow me around. What am I?
6. I am not alive, but I grow; I don’t have lungs, but I need air; I don’t have a mouth, but water kills me. What
am I?
7. What has a face and two hands, but no arms or legs?
8. What is as big as an elephant, but weighs nothing at all?
9. There were two ducks in front of a duck, two ducks behind a duck, and one duck in the middle. How many
ducks were there in total?
10. What five-letter word becomes shorter when you add two letters to it?
11. What word begins and ends with an ‘e’ but only has one letter?You can also read
