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The King of the Fishes

A fairy tale retold from Europa's Fairy Book, by Joseph Jacobs

Joseph Jacobs (1854–1916) collected fairy tales from across Europe and published them for young readers. "The King of the Fishes" is a traditional tale that combines magic, adventure and cleverness. It shows that kindness can bring unexpected rewards, that the truth will come out in the end, and that brothers who care for each other can overcome great dangers together. This reader is worth a child's time because it tells a complete hero's journey—from humble beginnings to dragon-slaying to outwitting a curse—with memorable images (the talking fish, the seven tongues, the stone spell) and a satisfying resolution. This text reflects its era.

Band
Yellow · Emerging readersTypical starting range: ages 6–8
Length
medium · about 576 words in 6 sections · 4 pictures
Source
Europa's Fairy Book, Joseph Jacobs
First published
see the About page in the reader
Regions
Canada · United States

Included formats

  • · Web reader and PDF
  • · EPUB for e-readers
  • · Home-print sheet
  • · Folded booklet
  • · Binder edition (8.5 × 11)
  • · Worksheet
  • · Quick Check (8 questions) with answer key
  • · Read-aloud script
  • · Colouring page
  • · Teacher’s Edition (members)

Lesson at a glance

Reading
about 10 minutes at this band
Pause questions
3
Words to Know
6
Quick Check
8 questions, with the answer key
Let’s Talk
3 questions for afterwards
Worksheet
questions, an activity and a drawing prompt

About 40 minutes with one story, all of it.

Readers are engineered from the original public-domain text with AI under HummingRead’s published canon and Content Philosophy, checked by automated audit and sampled by a person. Pictures are made with AI to HummingRead’s brief for each story. How a reader is made.

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Other bands of this story

This story is ready now at the Yellow band only. Other bands can be made to order for members after launch.