The Twelve Dancing Princesses

Who Are the Princesses? The Twelve Dancing Princesses is a famous story by Sue Arengo. It is part of the Classic Tales series. The story is about twelve princesses who live in a big palace. Every morning, their shoes have holes in them. The king is surprised. He wants to know what happens to the shoes at night. Do the princesses dance? Where do they go?

The King’s Problem The king loves his daughters. But he is worried. He asks, “Why do my daughters’ shoes have holes?” The princesses do not tell him. The king makes a plan. He says, “Whoever can solve this mystery will marry one of my daughters.” Many princes try, but they all fail. No one knows the secret.

The Soldier and the Cloak One day, a soldier comes to the palace. He meets an old woman. She gives him a magic cloak. The cloak makes him invisible. She says, “Use this cloak to follow the princesses. You will find the answer.” The soldier thanks her and goes to the palace.

The Secret of the Princesses At night, the soldier wears the cloak. He follows the princesses. They go through a secret door in their bedroom. They walk down a long, dark staircase. At the end, there is a beautiful underground world. The princesses meet twelve princes. They dance all night. This is why their shoes have holes every morning.

The Soldier Tells the King The soldier tells the king everything. The king is happy. He says, “You can marry one of my daughters.” The soldier chooses the oldest princess. The mystery is solved, and everyone is happy.

Why Read This Book? The Twelve Dancing Princesses is a fun and exciting story. It is easy to read and has beautiful pictures. The book is perfect for A2-level students. You will learn new words and enjoy a magical story. You can also listen to the audio version. This helps you practice your listening skills.

Extra Activities This book has many activities. You can answer questions, match pictures, and complete puzzles. These activities help you understand the story better. They make learning English fun!

Conclusion The Twelve Dancing Princesses is a wonderful book for English learners. It is full of magic, mystery, and adventure. Start reading today and discover the secret of the dancing princesses!

Sue Arengo British author and editor of children's books 

A Storyteller for Young Learners of English

Sue Arengo is a British author who writes wonderful stories for children learning English. She has worked with Oxford University Press for over 20 years, creating books that are fun and easy to read. Many of her books are part of graded reader series like Classic Tales, Dominoes, and Oxford Bookworms.

Bringing Fairy Tales to Life

One of Sue’s most famous works is the Classic Tales series. This award-winning series retells traditional fairy tales like The Ugly Duckling, The Magic Brocade, and The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse. These stories are written in simple English, making them perfect for children learning English as a second language. The series is loved by teachers and students worldwide and is now in its second edition.

Creating Original Stories

Sue Arengo doesn’t just rewrite old stories—she also creates new ones! Books like Baby Robot and Archie’s Sweet Shop show her talent for writing fun, imaginative stories. These books help children enjoy reading and improve their English at the same time.

A Talent for Art

Did you know Sue Arengo is also an artist? Using the name Kisa, she paints colorful and imaginative pictures with oil paints. Her art has been shown in exhibitions, including one at John Wesley’s Methodist Chapel in Bristol. Sue even illustrated her own fairy tale called Lord of the Meadow. This beautiful story, set in an English summer meadow, has many small oil-painted illustrations.

Inspiring Young Readers

Sue Arengo’s work is special because it helps young learners discover the joy of reading. Her books make English easy and fun for children all over the world. With her creativity and talent, Sue continues to inspire young readers to dream big and learn with enthusiasm.

If you are looking for interesting books for English learners, Sue Arengo’s stories are a great place to start. Her work combines learning with imagination, making reading an enjoyable experience for everyone.