Can a Fairytale Heroine Help Children Overcome Their Fears?
Janice LawrenceHow Traditional Tales Build Courage
Traditional fairy tales give children a safe way to face their fears. In these stories, young heroes confront danger, outwit monsters, and triumph through courage and cleverness. Stories like The Clever Girl Tricks the Giant let children practice emotional bravery by watching someone their size do something bold.
Fear is part of growing up. But when children feel ashamed or frozen by fear, they lose confidence. Fairy tales show that being scared is a natural reaction to a dangerous situation. But fears can be managed.
Bravery is teachable. Kids copy what they see. When a story shows a clever girl outsmarting a giant, a child learns how to act boldly too.
Exploring new feelings needs safe space. Big emotions are easier to explore inside a story than in real life. Fairy tales let kids rehearse being brave before they have to be.
Problems can be solved. Many tales model clever, non-violent ways to win. This empowers kids to act, even when they feel small.
Scary things are universal. Dark woods, scary giants, unfair rules—these fears show up in nearly every culture's tales. Sharing them helps children feel less alone.
In The Clever Girl Tricks the Giant, a young girl volunteers to take her father’s place in a dangerous army. She pretends to be a boy, passes test after test, and keeps her true identity hidden. The giant who rules the army is cruel, clever, and nearly impossible to fool. But the girl watches, listens, and uses her wit instead of force. Her bravery grows each time she survives a new test.
The Clever Girl Tricks the Giant doesn't erase fear. It shows how to work with it. It invites children to think, "What if I could do that too?"
How Stories Help Kids Overcome Their Fears
When children read or listen to fairy tales like this one, they see fear handled wisely. Over time, these stories become emotional blueprints: they teach children how to feel scared, act bravely, and move forward anyway.
Here's Why...
Fear is a normal feeling. When kids learn to name it instead of hide it, they build resilience. But when they can't, they may avoid new experiences or feel ashamed for being afraid.
Courage can be copied. Without brave role models, children can feel stuck or helpless. But with them, they become more willing to try.
Stories are emotional playgrounds. Kids can safely feel fear, shame, pride, or hope inside a story. It gives them language and practice for real life.
Cleverness is power. When a child sees a small, underestimated character solve big problems, they begin to believe in their own problem-solving abilities.
Everyone feels scared sometimes. Sharing these universal challenges helps children feel connected, not broken.
Try it Out
- Read The Clever Girl Tricks the Giant aloud with your child or watch the Read-along video. (Scroll down the page to find the Watch the Video button.)
- Pause to highlight emotional moments:
- Ask: “What do you think the girl felt when she saw her father being led away?”
- Ask: “How do you think she stayed calm when the giant put pearls in her peas?”
- Talk about big emotions like fear, nervousness, and bravery:
- Ask: “Have you ever tried something scary but brave?”
- Ask: “What helps you feel calm when you are afraid?”
- Relate the story to your child’s life:
- Ask: “What’s something brave you’ve done lately?”
- Take the discussion deeper:
- Ask: “Why do you think the Clever Girl chose to take her father's place?”
- Ask: “Have you ever done something scary to protect someone you love?”
- Share your own stories about a time when you were scared but did something brave.
TIPS
Don’t rush to explain. Let the child lead with their feelings.
Name emotions. Use words like scared, proud, sneaky, worried, strong, clever, courageous, adventurous.
Avoid saying "Don’t be scared." Instead, say, "It’s okay to feel scared. Doing something when you are scared shows great courage."
Stop 'n' Think
The clever girl never used violence. She listened, watched, and planned. That kind of bravery takes heart. What if being brave doesn’t mean being loud or strong—but being smart, quiet, and sure of yourself?
Do you want to help your child overcome their fears and become more adventurous?
Build your child's courage with The Clever Girl Tricks the Giant — a beautifully illustrated tale that invites your child to bravely tackle life's challenges.