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Oscar Wilde Stories for Children
Contents:
- The Selfish Giant
- The Nightingale and the Rose
- The Devoted Friend
- The Happy Prince
- The Remarkable Rocket
- The Young King
- The Selfish Giant
- The Nightingale and the Rose
- The Devoted Friend
- The Happy Prince
- The Remarkable Rocket
- The Young King
94 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 1991
22 people are currently reading
465 people want to read
About the author
Oscar Wilde
5,531 books39k followersOscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular playwrights in London in the early 1890s. He is best remembered for his epigrams and plays, his novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, and his criminal conviction for gross indecency for homosexual acts.
Wilde's parents were Anglo-Irish intellectuals in Dublin. In his youth, Wilde learned to speak fluent French and German. At university, he read Greats; he demonstrated himself to be an exceptional classicist, first at Trinity College Dublin, then at Magdalen College, Oxford. He became associated with the emerging philosophy of aestheticism, led by two of his tutors, Walter Pater and John Ruskin. After university, Wilde moved to London into fashionable cultural and social circles.
Wilde tried his hand at various literary activities: he wrote a play, published a book of poems, lectured in the United States and Canada on "The English Renaissance" in art and interior decoration, and then returned to London where he lectured on his American travels and wrote reviews for various periodicals. Known for his biting wit, flamboyant dress and glittering conversational skill, Wilde became one of the best-known personalities of his day. At the turn of the 1890s, he refined his ideas about the supremacy of art in a series of dialogues and essays, and incorporated themes of decadence, duplicity, and beauty into what would be his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890). Wilde returned to drama, writing Salome (1891) in French while in Paris, but it was refused a licence for England due to an absolute prohibition on the portrayal of Biblical subjects on the English stage. Undiscouraged, Wilde produced four society comedies in the early 1890s, which made him one of the most successful playwrights of late-Victorian London.
At the height of his fame and success, while An Ideal Husband (1895) and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) were still being performed in London, Wilde issued a civil writ against John Sholto Douglas, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry for criminal libel. The Marquess was the father of Wilde's lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. The libel hearings unearthed evidence that caused Wilde to drop his charges and led to his own arrest and criminal prosecution for gross indecency with other males. The jury was unable to reach a verdict and so a retrial was ordered. In the second trial Wilde was convicted and sentenced to two years' hard labour, the maximum penalty, and was jailed from 1895 to 1897. During his last year in prison he wrote De Profundis (published posthumously in abridged form in 1905), a long letter that discusses his spiritual journey through his trials and is a dark counterpoint to his earlier philosophy of pleasure. On the day of his release, he caught the overnight steamer to France, never to return to Britain or Ireland. In France and Italy, he wrote his last work, The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898), a long poem commemorating the harsh rhythms of prison life.
Wilde's parents were Anglo-Irish intellectuals in Dublin. In his youth, Wilde learned to speak fluent French and German. At university, he read Greats; he demonstrated himself to be an exceptional classicist, first at Trinity College Dublin, then at Magdalen College, Oxford. He became associated with the emerging philosophy of aestheticism, led by two of his tutors, Walter Pater and John Ruskin. After university, Wilde moved to London into fashionable cultural and social circles.
Wilde tried his hand at various literary activities: he wrote a play, published a book of poems, lectured in the United States and Canada on "The English Renaissance" in art and interior decoration, and then returned to London where he lectured on his American travels and wrote reviews for various periodicals. Known for his biting wit, flamboyant dress and glittering conversational skill, Wilde became one of the best-known personalities of his day. At the turn of the 1890s, he refined his ideas about the supremacy of art in a series of dialogues and essays, and incorporated themes of decadence, duplicity, and beauty into what would be his only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray (1890). Wilde returned to drama, writing Salome (1891) in French while in Paris, but it was refused a licence for England due to an absolute prohibition on the portrayal of Biblical subjects on the English stage. Undiscouraged, Wilde produced four society comedies in the early 1890s, which made him one of the most successful playwrights of late-Victorian London.
At the height of his fame and success, while An Ideal Husband (1895) and The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) were still being performed in London, Wilde issued a civil writ against John Sholto Douglas, the 9th Marquess of Queensberry for criminal libel. The Marquess was the father of Wilde's lover, Lord Alfred Douglas. The libel hearings unearthed evidence that caused Wilde to drop his charges and led to his own arrest and criminal prosecution for gross indecency with other males. The jury was unable to reach a verdict and so a retrial was ordered. In the second trial Wilde was convicted and sentenced to two years' hard labour, the maximum penalty, and was jailed from 1895 to 1897. During his last year in prison he wrote De Profundis (published posthumously in abridged form in 1905), a long letter that discusses his spiritual journey through his trials and is a dark counterpoint to his earlier philosophy of pleasure. On the day of his release, he caught the overnight steamer to France, never to return to Britain or Ireland. In France and Italy, he wrote his last work, The Ballad of Reading Gaol (1898), a long poem commemorating the harsh rhythms of prison life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
April 29, 2016
I think it's interesting that when Oscar Wilde wrote for adults, he wrote in a very dry, irreverent manner. But when he wrote for children, he wrote melancholy, reverent works of beauty. I suspect it has something to do with his old witticism:
'If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.'
This is how you have to approach social commentary with adults. But I think with kids you don't have to add that extra buffer zone of wit, because kids can handle the truth. As E.B. White put it:
"Anyone who writes down to children is simply wasting his time. You have to write up, not down. Children are demanding. They are the most attentive, curious, eager, observant, sensitive, quick, and generally congenial readers on earth. They accept, almost without question, anything you present them with, as long as it is presented honestly, fearlessly, and clearly."
Assuming this is true, (and I suspect the author of Charlotte's Web has some notion of how to write for kids), it would make sense that Wilde wouldn't fool around with irony and witty banter, and just get down to business. These stories don't mess around. They will break your heart. The final story in the collection "The Young King" gave me chills. The illustrations by P.J. Lynch just make everything that much more powerful.
'If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.'
This is how you have to approach social commentary with adults. But I think with kids you don't have to add that extra buffer zone of wit, because kids can handle the truth. As E.B. White put it:
"Anyone who writes down to children is simply wasting his time. You have to write up, not down. Children are demanding. They are the most attentive, curious, eager, observant, sensitive, quick, and generally congenial readers on earth. They accept, almost without question, anything you present them with, as long as it is presented honestly, fearlessly, and clearly."
Assuming this is true, (and I suspect the author of Charlotte's Web has some notion of how to write for kids), it would make sense that Wilde wouldn't fool around with irony and witty banter, and just get down to business. These stories don't mess around. They will break your heart. The final story in the collection "The Young King" gave me chills. The illustrations by P.J. Lynch just make everything that much more powerful.
December 3, 2022
الان به یاد میارم که داستان شاهزاده و پرستو رو توی یکی از کتابهای فارسی دوران دبستان داشتیم.
بیان شیوا و قلم زیباتون رو دوست دارم آقای وایلد.
بیان شیوا و قلم زیباتون رو دوست دارم آقای وایلد.
January 24, 2019
Illustrations by P.J. Lynch prompted me to read these stories again. There really are some wonderful ones in here, including especially Little Hans (the Devoted Friend) in his cottage, and the funny fireworks.
But the tales, oh, they're always worth a reread. So much richer than typical 'children's' stories, even richer than Andersen. And melancholy, satirical, joyful, cynical, and hopeful by turns (often actually in the same story), just as one would expect from Wilde.
Discussable, too. What do you think of the ending of The Happy Prince (avl on Project Gutenberg)? could he possibly have been sincere?
But the tales, oh, they're always worth a reread. So much richer than typical 'children's' stories, even richer than Andersen. And melancholy, satirical, joyful, cynical, and hopeful by turns (often actually in the same story), just as one would expect from Wilde.
Discussable, too. What do you think of the ending of The Happy Prince (avl on Project Gutenberg)? could he possibly have been sincere?
May 8, 2024
What a lovely children's book. The tone of Oscar Wilde's 3 stories felt whimsical and fairy tale like. I loved how birds were involved in the stories, well chosen.
The artwork by Charles Robinson, just added to the feeling of these stories.
This book was a joy to read, while drinking a cuppa.
The artwork by Charles Robinson, just added to the feeling of these stories.
This book was a joy to read, while drinking a cuppa.
January 13, 2014
Great book! I remember having stories from this book read to me at school and enjoying them thoroughly. Thirty years has changed nothing in terms of my enjoyment both personal and vicarious through my own children. I have now reread all the stories and have introduced some to the classroom. Oscar Wilde has an interesting way of writing. It makes it a bit difficult to read out loud sometimes as the brain is programmed differently to the way Wilde writes. It should be remembered that whilst this not necessarily wrong, it may be worth a quick practice prior to public delivery to eliminate the possibility of becoming tongue-tied here and there.
The Selfish Giant is still my favourite and is about a giant who owns a beautiful garden. Initially he refuses to share his garden with the children but he eventually sees the error of his ways, relents and is rewarded by being taken to Paradise. I particularly like the fact that there is good dialogue from the giant and from the winter elements (the wind, hail, snow and frost etc.) which means I can have a good play with voices and accents when reading aloud. This all helps in making it a really popular choice for a five minute end of day story in class.
Some of these stories are told with a firm Christin ethic which also means that they could potentially be spun into RE lessons as the morals of the story could easily be expanded on. However the best thing about these stories and where their true value can be found is in Wilde's dazzling ability to describe scene, sentiments and characters in a richness of language not often found (in my view) in many books today.
The stories are quite clever and while superficially entertaining, they also have a lot going on under the surface. Because of this, I would suggest that these stories are suitable for reception up to year six.
The Selfish Giant is still my favourite and is about a giant who owns a beautiful garden. Initially he refuses to share his garden with the children but he eventually sees the error of his ways, relents and is rewarded by being taken to Paradise. I particularly like the fact that there is good dialogue from the giant and from the winter elements (the wind, hail, snow and frost etc.) which means I can have a good play with voices and accents when reading aloud. This all helps in making it a really popular choice for a five minute end of day story in class.
Some of these stories are told with a firm Christin ethic which also means that they could potentially be spun into RE lessons as the morals of the story could easily be expanded on. However the best thing about these stories and where their true value can be found is in Wilde's dazzling ability to describe scene, sentiments and characters in a richness of language not often found (in my view) in many books today.
The stories are quite clever and while superficially entertaining, they also have a lot going on under the surface. Because of this, I would suggest that these stories are suitable for reception up to year six.
September 3, 2015
Oscar Wilde's children stories showed me the impact literature could have on people. This book was read to me on numerous occasions by my parents when I was growing up, and I can remember my dad openly crying in front of my sister and I whenever he finished The Selfish Giant or The Happy Prince. To see the impact these stories had on an adult really intrigued and perplexed me as a child, and I think it's the beginning of my love of literature.
Each story is told in Wilde's breath taking, melodious prose that just drenches you in emotion and stunning imagery. While some stories are more forgettable than others, each has its own voice, its own strength, demonstrating that Wilde was definitely one of the most wonderful writers we've ever had. Reading this as an adult or a child is an absolute pleasure and I insist on everyone sitting down and reading The Selfish Giant at least.
Each story is told in Wilde's breath taking, melodious prose that just drenches you in emotion and stunning imagery. While some stories are more forgettable than others, each has its own voice, its own strength, demonstrating that Wilde was definitely one of the most wonderful writers we've ever had. Reading this as an adult or a child is an absolute pleasure and I insist on everyone sitting down and reading The Selfish Giant at least.
April 19, 2019
It was OK, but my kid hated it. These dark, ironic stories are not really for children. She wouldn't finish it after the first three stories were each worse than the next. Anyone looking for something a little off will not be disappointed though. Fantastic illustrations.
March 14, 2013
Pretty depressing bunch of stories.
August 14, 2019
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️💫
Critic Score: B
Reader Score: B+
These three charming but entirely sad stories exemplify Wilde’s witty bite, which might make them too elevated for kids. You can see the author’s love of gardens/birds/flowers here, and I found each story moving, though with increasingly less power. The illustrations are gorgeous, making for a beautiful keepsake.
Critic Score: B
Reader Score: B+
These three charming but entirely sad stories exemplify Wilde’s witty bite, which might make them too elevated for kids. You can see the author’s love of gardens/birds/flowers here, and I found each story moving, though with increasingly less power. The illustrations are gorgeous, making for a beautiful keepsake.
March 7, 2019
Interesting biblical-like stories, but I wouldn't consider them for children necessarily.
June 1, 2021
These are such beautiful, thought-provoking stories. Oscar Wilde masters merging the desolation of the world with the little rays of hope that goodness and love can provide.
October 7, 2020
Sad and dark stories, but nevertheless beautiful tales. I got it from the library to read to my 5-year-old but I think he’s too young to understand these stories. I enjoyed reading them and curious to read and know more about Oscar Wilde. Water colour illustrations by Charles Robinson are mesmerising.
May 1, 2025
i didn’t expect these stories to be quite so grim but here we are
October 31, 2014
Worth reading for “The Nightingale and The Rose", “The Devoted Friend", “The Young King" and “The Happy Prince". These stories are written in a way simple enough for children to enjoy, but with enough depth to leave the more mature reader deep in thought. Although I would have preferred the religious symbolism to be a little more subtle, the fables are well written with both charm and wit, challenging you on numerous aspects of life.
May 2, 2011
This is not what I was expecting. For one thing I really don't know what age this is appropriate for. One review says ages 5 and up.
There is some moralizing, the Christ child even appears. There is some death, by suicide and over exertion for an unappreciative friend. There is also wry humor, but when do kids start to get that?
There is some moralizing, the Christ child even appears. There is some death, by suicide and over exertion for an unappreciative friend. There is also wry humor, but when do kids start to get that?
August 14, 2017
an absolutely stunning book with three wonderful stories. this is definitely a book i can see myself coming back to time and time again
June 22, 2022
I had no idea such a thing existed! But I stumbled across this one while shelving books at the library, and had to check it out.
This is a delightful collection of stories, each with some kind of lesson or moral. Most of them, if not all, deal in some way with the selfishness and self-centeredness of humankind.
The stories include "The Selfish Giant," "The Nightingale and the Rose," "The Devoted Friend," "The Happy Prince," "The Remarkable Rocket," and "The Young King."
There are references to Christ in "The Selfish Giant" and in "The Young King." My favorite of all, though, is "The Remarkable Rocket." I'm including some of the lines from that one that I really liked.
"'They are like the Aurora Borealis,' said the King, who always answered questions that were addressed to other people."
"'Any place you love is the world to you,' exclaimed a pensive Catherine Wheel."
"'What is a sensitive person?' said the Cracker to the Roman Candle
'A person who, because he has corns himself, always treads on other people's toes,' answered the Roman Candle."
"'Somebody must listen,' answered the Frog, 'and I like to do all the talking myself. it saves time, and prevents arguments.'"
I was especially moved by the statement made by the Catherine Wheel, that any place you love is the world to you. That is similar to the old saying, "Home is where the heart is," right? I also really got a good chuckle out of the description of a "sensitive person." In truth, that seems to be what people who believe they are sensitive are really like.
So, yes. Oscar Wilde could write a great children's story, and these are as good as any children's stories I've ever read. In fact, I think some adults I know could use some of these lessons.
This is a delightful collection of stories, each with some kind of lesson or moral. Most of them, if not all, deal in some way with the selfishness and self-centeredness of humankind.
The stories include "The Selfish Giant," "The Nightingale and the Rose," "The Devoted Friend," "The Happy Prince," "The Remarkable Rocket," and "The Young King."
There are references to Christ in "The Selfish Giant" and in "The Young King." My favorite of all, though, is "The Remarkable Rocket." I'm including some of the lines from that one that I really liked.
"'They are like the Aurora Borealis,' said the King, who always answered questions that were addressed to other people."
"'Any place you love is the world to you,' exclaimed a pensive Catherine Wheel."
"'What is a sensitive person?' said the Cracker to the Roman Candle
'A person who, because he has corns himself, always treads on other people's toes,' answered the Roman Candle."
"'Somebody must listen,' answered the Frog, 'and I like to do all the talking myself. it saves time, and prevents arguments.'"
I was especially moved by the statement made by the Catherine Wheel, that any place you love is the world to you. That is similar to the old saying, "Home is where the heart is," right? I also really got a good chuckle out of the description of a "sensitive person." In truth, that seems to be what people who believe they are sensitive are really like.
So, yes. Oscar Wilde could write a great children's story, and these are as good as any children's stories I've ever read. In fact, I think some adults I know could use some of these lessons.
February 22, 2025
Oscar Wilde’s Stories for Children are beautifully written but surprisingly complex, blending fairy-tale elements with deep moral, social, and philosophical themes. While they are called “children’s stories,” they often carry a dark, satirical, or melancholic tone that might be more meaningful to adults than to young readers.
Despite their melancholic tone, Wilde’s stories teach profound moral lessons:
The beauty of selflessness (The Happy Prince, The Nightingale and the Rose)
The dangers of vanity and hypocrisy (The Remarkable Rocket, The Devoted Friend)
The importance of compassion and justice (The Young King, The Selfish Giant)
While they may not be traditional bedtime stories, Wilde’s fairy tales can be incredibly meaningful if introduced thoughtfully. They encourage reflection on kindness, sacrifice, and the flaws of human nature. If read to children, it would be great to have discussions afterward to help them understand the deeper messages.
Despite their melancholic tone, Wilde’s stories teach profound moral lessons:
The beauty of selflessness (The Happy Prince, The Nightingale and the Rose)
The dangers of vanity and hypocrisy (The Remarkable Rocket, The Devoted Friend)
The importance of compassion and justice (The Young King, The Selfish Giant)
While they may not be traditional bedtime stories, Wilde’s fairy tales can be incredibly meaningful if introduced thoughtfully. They encourage reflection on kindness, sacrifice, and the flaws of human nature. If read to children, it would be great to have discussions afterward to help them understand the deeper messages.
March 2, 2022
Two stars. Sticking to the Goodreads rating scale here: it was okay. (And I'm being generous here.)
In my opinion, these stories would not appeal to today's children. They are too tedious and heavy on the dialogue--make that monologue! If this is supposed to be satire, children won't get it, so we end up with ridiculous stories with snooty characters who only affect wisdom. Nothing deep and meaningful can get through because children wouldn't listen to this. I had to force myself to finish the book, which actually brought me to The Happy Prince--in my opinion, the best story in the bunch.
Give me a little The Importance of Being Earnest any day. I'd take it now, to cleanse my palate. I wish I had a copy.
In my opinion, these stories would not appeal to today's children. They are too tedious and heavy on the dialogue--make that monologue! If this is supposed to be satire, children won't get it, so we end up with ridiculous stories with snooty characters who only affect wisdom. Nothing deep and meaningful can get through because children wouldn't listen to this. I had to force myself to finish the book, which actually brought me to The Happy Prince--in my opinion, the best story in the bunch.
Give me a little The Importance of Being Earnest any day. I'd take it now, to cleanse my palate. I wish I had a copy.
October 14, 2019
A book filled with lovely, but sometimes sad stories, some of which quite dark which might make them a bit too much for younger children. You can tell that the author loved anything to do with nature as he mentions gardens, flowers and birds a lot but in such a beautiful way. It felt like the stories each had their own message to the reader, something to be learnt from each one.
October 10, 2021
Beautiful, dark, sometimes tragic stories (Don't know if I'll ever get over The Nightingale and the Rose), but I can't imagine them for young children. Toying with shelving the book with YFIC or adult books on my shelves. Oh and the illustrations add so much to the tales, and what an inviting cover!
October 20, 2024
The illustrations in this book are glorious, just as the cover is glorious. And the stories are beautiful and heart-breaking and funny. I've never read any of Wilde's children's stories or even knew they existed. Although they were written in the late 1800s, the morals and tragedies they tell are (sadly) just as relevant today.
April 6, 2019
I read this book as a child and although some of the pictures inside absolutely terrified me, I remember enjoying the stories quite a lot! Looking at the illustrations now, they are absolutely beautiful.
August 11, 2021
Lots of death, lots of Christian imagery, including one story that almost reads like a story from the Bible. Also some pagan/occult references in one story. Mostly, the stories are sad. I wonder what a modern child would think of these if they weren't too upset/bored to get through them.
August 8, 2022
If you want to ram religion down your child's throat, read them this book. In my view, there are far better ways to teach your child some morals than polluting their minds with this dark and dreary nonsense.
July 14, 2017
Best story was "The devoted friend". Others were so-so.
December 1, 2018
These stories are too gloomy for children. Always a good rescuer dies.
April 30, 2024
Poor lil birds.
August 29, 2025
Prea multă religie pt gusturile mele. Noroc cu ilustrațiile și cu unele remarci drăguțe și smart.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews