A Little Princess facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
A Little Princess

Author	Frances Hodgson Burnett
Language	English
Genre	Children's
Publication date	1905
Media type	Print

A Little Princess is a classic children's book written by Frances Hodgson Burnett. It was first published in 1905. The story follows a young girl named Sara Crewe. She starts out very rich but suddenly becomes poor. The book teaches important lessons about kindness and inner strength.

This beloved story has been turned into many stage plays, television shows, and movies. In 2007, the National Education Association even called it one of their "Teachers' Top 100 Books for Children."

About the Story

A Little Princess tells the heartwarming and sometimes sad story of Sara Crewe. She is a bright and imaginative girl.

Sara Crewe's Life

Sara Crewe is sent to Miss Minchin's Select Seminary for Girls in London. Her wealthy father, Captain Crewe, is a kind man. He makes sure Sara has everything she needs. She has beautiful clothes, a private room, and even a pony. Sara is also very smart and kind to everyone. She uses her imagination to make friends and tell stories.

A Sudden Change

One day, terrible news arrives. Captain Crewe loses all his money and dies. Sara is left with nothing. Miss Minchin, the headmistress, is a cruel woman. She takes away all of Sara's nice things. Sara is forced to live in a cold attic room. She must work as a servant to earn her keep.

Finding Strength

Life becomes very hard for Sara. She is often hungry and cold. Miss Minchin and the other servants treat her badly. But Sara never gives up. She uses her strong imagination to pretend she is still a princess. This helps her stay brave and kind. She secretly helps other students and even a hungry street child. Sara learns that being a princess is not about money or fancy clothes. It is about being good and strong inside.

Why This Book Matters

A Little Princess is more than just a story. It teaches us important lessons that are still true today.

Themes of Kindness and Hope

The book shows how important kindness is. Even when Sara is treated poorly, she remains kind to others. She believes that good things will happen. This hope helps her get through tough times. The story also shows how small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

Imagination as a Superpower

Sara's imagination is her greatest tool. It helps her escape her sad reality. She pretends her attic room is a castle. She imagines delicious food when she is hungry. This shows how powerful imagination can be. It helps her stay positive and strong.

From Book to Screen

A Little Princess has been loved by many generations. Because of this, it has been adapted into different forms.

Famous Adaptations

The story has been made into several movies. One famous version is The Little Princess from 1939. It stars Shirley Temple as Sara. There was also a popular movie in 1995. Many TV shows and plays have also brought Sara's story to life. Each adaptation tries to capture the magic and lessons of the original book.

Images for kids

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  "She slowly advanced into the parlor, clutching her doll": Illustration from Sara Crewe; or, What Happened at Miss Minchin's (1888)

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  "He was waiting for his master to come out to the carriage, and Sara stopped and spoke a few words to him": Illustration from Sara Crewe; or, What Happened at Miss Minchin's (1888)

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  Millie James as Sara in the Broadway production of Burnett's play, The Little Princess (1903)

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  Shirley Temple as Sara in The Little Princess (1939)