Mustache!

A terrible king cares only about his own handsome face while his kingdom crumbles around him, until his fed-up subjects hatch a plan involving a mustache.

For the kid who loves stories where the grown-ups get gently, hilariously outsmarted, this one hands the win to the people who actually notice things are falling apart.

• Big idea: Looking good and leading well are not the same thing — vanity has consequences, and the people you ignore might just be the ones who fix you.
• Vibes: Silly, deadpan, and sly, with a satisfying dose of comeuppance.

• enjoy stories that poke fun at silly, self-obsessed grown-ups
• like to laugh at absurd visual jokes and exaggerated illustrations
• are working on noticing when someone isn't listening to others
• respond well to a story with a clever comeback instead of a moral lecture

• Story & problem-solving: What do you think King Duncan's subjects were hoping the mustache would do?
• Feelings & empathy: How do you think the kingdom's people felt when King Duncan kept building statues of his own face instead of helping them?
• Real-life connection: Have you ever tried to get someone's attention when they weren't listening to you? What did you do?
• Imagination: If you were in charge of getting a silly king to pay attention, what trick would you try?
• Character: Why do you think King Duncan cared so much about being handsome?