How to Craft an “Inspired-By” Story for Kids - Without Spoiling the Real Classic

Some books stay with us for life - The Little Prince, The Giving Tree, Winnie-the-Pooh, and more. They’re delicate, wise, and touching, and naturally we want our children to know them.

But sometimes it’s simply too early: the language is complex, the ideas are abstract, and attention spans snap after two sentences.

So how can you give a five-year-old the feeling these books evoke - without reading the original story before its time?

The Smart Route - With a Little Help from AI

Instead of dumbing-down or “abridging for kids,” you can ask generative AI to:

• Read the book on its own.

• Identify the core values and messages.

• Write an entirely new story that conveys those ideas in the child’s language, with fresh characters and a different world.

That way the real classic stays whole and magical - waiting for the right age - while your child still enjoys a tale that touches the same places now.

The Exact Prompt

“Read the book [Title], identify its key values and themes, and write an original story for a 5-year-old - using simple language, new characters and a different plot - that hints at those same values without mentioning the original story or copying its characters or events.”

Examples

• Instead of The Little Prince → a tiny creature meets a far-off friend and learns what longing means.

• Instead of The Giving Tree → a snail and a stone give without asking for anything back.

• Instead of Winnie-the-Pooh → an ant listens to the forest’s quiet.

Tips for Using the Prompt

Emphasise that the story must be entirely new - no references or copies.

• Include the child’s age so the AI can match length and language.

• Add special requests such as “include animals,” “soft emotional tone,” or “max 300 words.”

Summary

Sometimes the best way to share a story with a child isn’t to tell it directly, but to build a gentle bridge first - one that opens the heart, previews the ideas, and leaves room for the true classic later on.

This prompt is more than a writing tool; it’s a way to tell a story at eye level, with sensitivity, at just the right time.