The White Cat
When a Prince sets out to win his father’s crown, he meets a talking white cat in an enchanted castle. But Blanchette holds a secret that will transform his journey – and hers – forever, in this magical retelling of a classic French fairy tale.
This story has been written and illustrated by real humans.
Read along with the animated video
Listen to the audiobook
Read ‘The White Cat’ online for free
© Storyberries. All rights reserved.
Let’s talk about ‘The White Cat’!
Vocabulary
- Attestupa
- A legendary cliff in Norse tradition where elderly people were said to leap when they could no longer care for themselves.
- Carbuncles
- Painful red bumps or boils on the body.
- Porphyry
- A hard, purple-red stone once used to decorate royal buildings.
- Lapiz Lazuli
- A deep blue stone used in ancient jewellery and art.
- Salon
- A grand room in a palace used for entertaining guests.
- Dragoon’s Cap
- A fancy soldier’s hat, often with feathers.
- Mew
- A soft sound made by a cat.
- Millet Seed
- A tiny grain, smaller than a grain of rice.
Context
The White Cat is a retelling of a French fairy tale by Madame d’Aulnoy, blending royalty, magic, and quests into a story rich with wonder and romance.
It features classic fairy tale elements: enchanted animals, secret castles, and magical transformations, while offering a more patient, thoughtful hero than many traditional tales.
These elements help children explore themes like problem-solving, resilience, and kindness, while the lush language and ornate setting promote vocabulary development and cultural awareness.
The story also encourages emotional growth, showing that love and trust can transcend appearances and break old spells. It’s a perfect tale for sparking critical thinking, creativity, and connection to timeless storytelling.
Discussion questions
Spark a conversation with your child and connect the story to real-life lessons.
Journeys
- Why do you think the King sends his sons on difficult quests instead of giving them the crown?
- What do the three journeys tell us about the characters of each prince?
- How does the White Cat’s castle change the youngest Prince’s path?
Independent Thinking, Patience
- Why does the youngest Prince choose to travel more slowly than his brothers?
- What does this story show about making decisions that are different from others?
- How does the Prince’s patience help him in the end?
Love
- How do we know that the Prince loves Blanchette?
- Why is it important that their love grew over time rather than instantly?
- What do you think makes a love strong enough to break a spell?
Individuality
- Blanchette is not like anyone else in the story. How does her uniqueness help her and the Prince?
- Why is it important to see and value who someone really is, even if they seem different?
- Can you think of a time when being different helped someone succeed?
FAQs about ‘The White Cat’
What is ‘The White Cat’ about?
What themes are explored in this story?
Who is Blanchette and why is she important?
What magical elements appear in the story?
What lesson can children learn from this fairy tale?
What age is best for this story?
Is this story part of a fairy tale collection?
Can this story support classroom learning?
Are there activities to do after reading this?
What are similar stories I can read at Storyberries?
Credits
This story was brought to life by these awesome real humans!
- Written by: Jade Maitre
- Illustrated by: Anthony E. Leah
- Edited and narrated by: Jade Maitre
- Music video from “Mystery Bazaar” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Galway” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Midnight Tale” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Destiny Day” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “To the Ends” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Adventures in Adventureland” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Arcadia” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Dhaka” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Morning” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
The post The White Cat first appeared on Bedtime Stories.
