Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

About This Book

Get ready to fall down a rabbit hole and into one of the most famous make-believe worlds ever written! "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" begins on a warm, sleepy afternoon. A young girl named Alice is sitting by a riverbank, feeling bored, when a white rabbit in a fancy waistcoat rushes past her, worried that he is late. Alice has never seen a rabbit talk or check a pocket watch before, so she jumps up and chases after him. When Alice follows the rabbit down his hole, she tumbles into Wonderland, a strange land where nothing works the way it does at home. Doors are too small to fit through, cakes and drinks can make her grow tall or shrink tiny, and the animals talk, argue, and give puzzling advice. Every chapter brings a brand-new surprise and a brand-new character to meet. This book is a fantasy, which means it is full of things that could never really happen. It is playful and silly, and it invites you to imagine a world where the rules are turned upside down. As you read, you will follow Alice as she tries to stay polite, brave, and calm in a place that keeps changing around her.

"Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" is a wonderful book for young readers because it sparks the imagination and shows that it is okay to be curious and to ask questions. Alice is close to your own age, and she often feels confused or unsure, just like everyone does sometimes. Watching her stay kind and keep trying, even when things get strange, can help you feel braver about facing new and surprising situations in your own life. The book is also just plain fun, full of jokes, riddles, and creatures you will never forget.

Meet the Characters

Alice

the protagonist, a curious seven-year-old girl

Alice is a bright, imaginative little girl who would rather have adventures than sit still through a dull afternoon. She is polite and thoughtful, but her endless curiosity sometimes leads her into tricky spots. She loves asking questions and often talks to herself when she is trying to figure something out.

The White Rabbit

a hurried, well-dressed rabbit Alice follows

The White Rabbit is a fussy, worried little creature who always seems to be running late for something important. He mutters to himself and checks his pocket watch as he hurries along. It is his dash across a meadow that first catches Alice's eye and sets her whole adventure in motion.

The Cheshire Cat

a mysterious grinning cat who gives Alice directions

The Cheshire Cat is a calm, riddling creature who seems to know his way all around Wonderland. He speaks in puzzles and enjoys confusing whoever he talks to, though he is never unkind to Alice. His famous grin and his knack for appearing and disappearing make him one of the strangest friends Alice meets.

The Mad Hatter

an eccentric host of a never-ending tea party

The Mad Hatter is a jumbled, chatterbox host who loves riddles, tea, and talking nonsense. He never seems to run out of odd things to say and treats an ordinary tea party like the most important event in the world. Alice finds him baffling but fascinating when she stumbles upon his table.

The Queen of Hearts

the loud, quick-tempered ruler of Wonderland

The Queen of Hearts is the booming, bad-tempered ruler of Wonderland who expects everyone to obey her at once. She loses her temper over the smallest things and is quick to shout commands. Everyone around her hurries to keep her happy, which makes her one of the most memorable characters Alice meets.

The Caterpillar

a slow, thoughtful creature who questions Alice

The Caterpillar is a slow-speaking, serious creature who lounges on a mushroom and studies Alice through half-closed eyes. He asks blunt, difficult questions and does not seem impressed by much of anything. Though he can be prickly, his odd advice turns out to be useful to Alice.

Pre-Reading Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever felt so bored that you wished something exciting would happen? What did you do?
2. If you could visit a magical land, what strange things would you hope to see there?
3. What would you do if you saw an animal wearing clothes and talking, like a rabbit in a coat?
4. How do you act when you meet someone new who seems very different from you?
5. Have you ever wished you could be bigger or smaller than you are? Why might that be helpful or tricky?
6. What does it mean to be curious, and can being curious ever get someone into trouble?

Themes & Big Ideas to Track

• Curiosity: notice how Alice's wish to explore and understand pulls her deeper into her adventure.
• Growing and changing: pay attention to the many times Alice changes size and how it makes her feel.
• Staying calm: watch how Alice tries to keep her manners and her cool when everything is confusing.
• Nonsense and rules: think about how the creatures of Wonderland follow their own funny, upside-down rules.
• Imagination: enjoy how the story mixes real feelings with impossible, dreamlike events.
• Being yourself: notice how Alice stays kind and true to herself even in a very strange place.

Chapter-by-Chapter Study Guide

Chapter 1: Down the Rabbit-Hole

Before you read — think about:

1. How do you feel when you have nothing to do on a long, sleepy afternoon?
2. If you saw an animal doing something a person would do, would you follow it to find out more?
3. What do you think it might feel like to fall down a very deep hole?
4. Have you ever wanted to fit through a door or space that was too small for you? What did you do?
5. Why is it a good idea to read a label before you eat or drink something new?

Watch for these while reading:

• Notice the very first strange thing Alice sees that makes her jump up and follow.
• Pay attention to the things Alice passes as she falls, and how calmly she talks to herself.
• Watch for the tiny golden key and the little door, and why Alice can't use them yet.
• Look for the words written on the bottle and the cake, and what Alice does about them.
• Notice how Alice's size begins to change, and how she feels about it.

Vocabulary to know:

remarkable (adjective) — so unusual that it is worth noticing or talking about; waistcoat (noun) — a short buttoned vest with no sleeves, worn over a shirt; curious (adjective) — strange, or eager to learn and find things out; hedge (noun) — a row of bushes growing close together like a green wall; tunnel (noun) — a long passage that goes underground or through something; cupboards (noun) — closets or cabinets with shelves for storing things; marmalade (noun) — a sweet, sticky jam made from oranges; disappointment (noun) — the sad feeling you get when something is not as good as you hoped; labelled (verb) — had a small note or sign on it that told what it was; pegs (noun) — short pins or hooks stuck in a wall to hang things on; tumbling (verb) — falling and rolling over and over; brave (adjective) — not showing fear when something is scary; latitude (noun) — a way of measuring how far north or south a place is on the earth; longitude (noun) — a way of measuring how far east or west a place is on the earth; ignorant (adjective) — not knowing much about something; curtsey (verb) — to bend your knees and dip down politely, as a greeting; saucer (noun) — a small shallow dish, often placed under a cup; dozing (verb) — falling into a light, sleepy nap; earnestly (adverb) — in a very serious and honest way; heap (noun) — a messy pile of things; passage (noun) — a narrow hallway that leads from one place to another; hall (noun) — a long room or wide passage with doors along it; solid (adjective) — hard and firm all the way through, not hollow; alas (interjection) — a word you say to show you are sad or sorry about something; curtain (noun) — a piece of cloth that hangs down to cover a window or doorway; delight (noun) — a feeling of great joy; telescope (noun) — a tube that slides shorter or longer and is used to see faraway things; impossible (adjective) — not able to happen at all; ventured (verb) — did something brave even though it might be risky; custard (noun) — a soft, sweet pudding made from eggs and milk; toffee (noun) — a hard, chewy candy made from boiled sugar and butter; shrink (verb) — to get smaller in size; nervous (adjective) — worried or a little afraid about what might happen; candle (noun) — a stick of wax with a string in the middle that gives light when it burns; flame (noun) — the bright, hot glowing part of a fire; slippery (adjective) — smooth and hard to hold or stand on; scolded (verb) — spoke to someone crossly to tell them off; severely (adverb) — in a strict, harsh way; croquet (noun) — an outdoor game where balls are hit through hoops with a mallet; respectable (adjective) — proper and worth respect; currants (noun) — tiny dried grapes used in baking; anxiously (adverb) — in a worried, uneasy way; dull (adjective) — boring and not exciting; presently (adverb) — soon, or after a short while; fancy (verb) — to imagine or picture something in your mind.

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Chapter 2: The Pool of Tears

Before you read — think about:

1. What do you think might happen if the cake makes Alice grow instead of shrink?
2. Have you ever cried a lot when you were upset? What helped you stop?
3. How would it feel to be so big that your own feet seemed far away?
4. What would you do if you met a talking animal and wanted to make friends with it?
5. Why is it important to think about other people's feelings before you speak?

Watch for these while reading:

• Notice how much Alice's size changes and how it changes her mood.
• Watch for the pool of water and where it comes from.
• Pay attention to how Alice keeps upsetting the Mouse by accident.
• Look for the different creatures that begin to appear near the end.
• Notice the times Alice wonders whether she is still herself.

Vocabulary to know:

stockings (noun) — long socks that cover the foot and leg; nonsense (noun) — words or ideas that make no sense; ashamed (adjective) — feeling bad or embarrassed about something you did; gallons (noun) — large amounts of liquid, measured in big jugs; pool (noun) — a small area of still water; pattering (verb) — making light, quick tapping sounds; splendidly (adverb) — in a grand, fancy way; gloves (noun) — coverings that fit over your hands and fingers; fan (noun) — a flat object you wave to make cool air; muttering (verb) — speaking in a low, quiet voice that is hard to hear; duchess (noun) — a lady of very high rank, just below a queen; savage (adjective) — fierce and very angry; timid (adjective) — shy and easily frightened; violently (adverb) — with sudden, strong force; queer (adjective) — strange or odd; ringlets (noun) — curls of hair shaped like little rings; multiplication (noun) — the math skill of adding a number to itself many times; geography (noun) — the study of the earth's places, countries, and cities; hoarse (adjective) — rough and croaky, the way a voice sounds when it is strained; poky (adjective) — small and cramped; measure (verb) — to find out the size or amount of something; rapidly (adverb) — very quickly; narrow (adjective) — very close; barely enough; existence (noun) — the state of being alive or real; railway (noun) — a track and train system for traveling; seaside (noun) — the land next to the ocean, where people go on trips; bathing (adjective) — used for swimming or getting into the water; lodging (noun) — a place where people stay or rent rooms; drowned (verb) — died or nearly died from being under water; walrus (noun) — a huge sea animal with two long tusks and thick whiskers; hippopotamus (noun) — a big, heavy river animal with a wide mouth; inquisitively (adverb) — in a curious, questioning way; quiver (verb) — to shake with tiny, fast movements; fright (noun) — a sudden feeling of fear; conqueror (noun) — someone who wins by taking over a land or people; notion (noun) — an idea or a rough understanding of something; soothing (adjective) — gentle and calming; bristling (verb) — raising its fur stiff and straight because it is upset; offended (verb) — made someone feel hurt or upset; vulgar (adjective) — rude and unpleasant; trembling (verb) — shaking a little, often from fear or upset; terrier (noun) — a small, lively kind of dog; fetch (verb) — to go get something and bring it back; commotion (noun) — a lot of noisy, busy movement; sorrowful (adjective) — full of sadness; passion (noun) — a very strong, powerful feeling.

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Chapter 3: A Caucus-Race and a Long Tale

Before you read — think about:

1. If you and some friends were soaking wet, what silly ideas might you think up to get dry?
2. Have you ever been in a race with no clear winner? How did it end?
3. Why can it be hard to listen carefully when your mind keeps wandering?
4. What can happen when someone loses their temper during a game or talk?
5. How do you feel when a friend leaves before finishing a story?

Watch for these while reading:

• Notice the funny way the creatures decide to get themselves dry.
• Watch how the Dodo decides who the winners of the race are.
• Pay attention to how Alice misunderstands the Mouse's 'tale.'
• Look for the moment Alice upsets the whole group without meaning to.
• Notice how Alice is left feeling by the end of the chapter.

Vocabulary to know:

assembled (verb) — gathered together in one place; consultation (noun) — a talk to decide what to do; familiarly (adverb) — in a friendly way, as if you already know someone well; sulky (adjective) — quiet and grumpy because you are in a bad mood; positively (adverb) — absolutely; for certain; authority (noun) — the power to lead and be obeyed; accustomed (adjective) — used to something because it happens often; conquest (noun) — the act of taking over a land by force; patriotic (adjective) — loving and loyal to your country; advisable (adjective) — wise and sensible to do; moderate (adjective) — not too much and not too little; calm and fair; melancholy (adjective) — gloomy and sad; solemnly (adverb) — in a very serious way; adjourn (verb) — to stop a meeting so it can start again later; remedies (noun) — cures or ways to fix a problem; energetic (adjective) — full of energy and action; tittered (verb) — laughed quietly in a shy or silly way; audibly (adverb) — loudly enough to be heard; panting (verb) — breathing fast and hard after moving a lot; chorus (noun) — many voices speaking or singing the same thing at once; comfits (noun) — old-fashioned candies made of sugar-coated seeds or nuts; thimble (noun) — a small cap worn on a fingertip to protect it while sewing; gravely (adverb) — in a serious, dignified way; absurd (adjective) — silly and completely ridiculous; elegant (adjective) — graceful and fancy in a fine way; prosecute (verb) — to bring someone to court to be judged; denial (noun) — the act of saying no or refusing; jury (noun) — a group of people who decide if someone is guilty; cunning (adjective) — clever in a sneaky way; condemn (verb) — to declare that someone will be punished; humbly (adverb) — in a modest, gentle way, without pride; insult (verb) — to say something rude that hurts someone; growled (verb) — made a low, angry sound; impatiently (adverb) — in a way that shows you do not want to wait; pretexts (noun) — made-up excuses that hide the real reason; snappishly (adverb) — in a short, cross, snapping way; sensation (noun) — a strong reaction of surprise or excitement in a group; lonely (adjective) — sad because you are alone; low-spirited (adjective) — feeling down and unhappy.

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Chapter 4: The Rabbit Sends in a Little Bill

Before you read — think about:

1. What might happen if someone mistakes you for a completely different person?
2. Have you ever run an errand for someone and worried you would get it wrong?
3. What could go wrong if Alice keeps eating and drinking things that change her size?
4. How do you calm yourself down when you feel stuck in a tight or scary spot?
5. How should a bigger person act toward smaller ones who are afraid of them?

Watch for these while reading:

• Notice who the White Rabbit thinks Alice is, and why.
• Watch what happens to Alice's size inside the little house.
• Pay attention to the crowd of helpers who gather outside.
• Look for the clever trick Alice uses to finally get small again.
• Notice the new animal Alice meets in the wood and how she escapes it.

Vocabulary to know:

ferrets (noun) — small, slim furry animals with long bodies; good-naturedly (adverb) — in a kind, friendly, willing way; housemaid (noun) — a female servant who cleans and works in a house; brass (noun) — a shiny yellow metal; engraved (verb) — carved letters or designs into a hard surface; lest (conjunction) — in case; for fear that; tidy (adjective) — neat and in order; uncorked (verb) — pulled the stopper out of a bottle; ceiling (noun) — the top inside surface of a room; stoop (verb) — to bend the body forward and down; hastily (adverb) — quickly and in a hurry; kneel (verb) — to go down onto your knees; elbow (noun) — the joint in the middle of your arm where it bends; chimney (noun) — the pipe that carries smoke up from a fireplace; uncomfortable (adjective) — not comfortable; uneasy and cramped; fairy-tales (noun) — magical made-up stories, often for children; comfort (noun) — a feeling of ease or relief; foolish (adjective) — silly and not wise; inwards (adverb) — toward the inside; attempt (noun) — a try at doing something; failure (noun) — something that does not work or succeed; snatch (noun) — a sudden, quick grab; shriek (noun) — a loud, high scream; concluded (verb) — decided something after thinking about it; goose (noun) — a large water bird; also a playful word for a silly person; coward (noun) — someone who is too scared to face danger; whispers (noun) — very soft, quiet speech; rumbling (noun) — a low, rolling sound; cartwheels (noun) — the round wheels of a cart; ladder (noun) — a set of rungs used for climbing up; particular (adjective) — fussy and hard to please; slate (noun) — a flat gray stone used to cover roofs; feeble (adjective) — weak and faint; squeaking (adjective) — making a high, thin sound; flustered (adjective) — nervous and confused; choke (verb) — to struggle to breathe because something blocks your throat; barrowful (noun) — as much as a wheelbarrow can hold; pebbles (noun) — small, smooth stones; rattling (verb) — making quick, sharp knocking sounds; swallowed (verb) — made food go down the throat; lizard (noun) — a small reptile with four legs and a long tail; guinea-pigs (noun) — small, round, furry pet rodents; excellent (adjective) — very good; difficulty (noun) — trouble; something hard to do; peering (verb) — looking closely and hard at something; enormous (adjective) — very, very large; puppy (noun) — a baby dog; coaxing (adjective) — gently trying to win someone over; whistle (verb) — to make a musical sound by blowing air through your lips; yelp (noun) — a short, sharp cry; thistle (noun) — a prickly wild plant with a purple flower; trampled (verb) — stepped on heavily enough to crush; buttercup (noun) — a small, cup-shaped yellow wildflower; circumstances (noun) — the facts and conditions of a situation; mushroom (noun) — a soft fungus shaped like a little umbrella; tiptoe (noun) — the tips of the toes, used to reach up high; hookah (noun) — a tall pipe that draws smoke through water.

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Chapter 5: Advice from a Caterpillar

Before you read — think about:

1. How would you answer if someone asked, 'Who are you?' and you felt all mixed up?
2. Have you ever tried to say a poem or song and had the words come out wrong?
3. What does it mean to 'keep your temper,' and why can it be hard?
4. How do you feel when someone gives you very short, unhelpful answers?
5. If a food could make you taller or shorter, how would you decide how much to eat?

Watch for these while reading:

• Notice how the Caterpillar questions Alice about who she is.
• Watch how the poem Alice recites turns out different from the one she means.
• Pay attention to the one piece of advice the Caterpillar finally gives.
• Look for how Alice's neck changes when she nibbles the mushroom.
• Notice why the Pigeon is so upset with Alice.

Vocabulary to know:

languid (adjective) — slow and lacking energy; encouraging (adjective) — giving hope or confidence; sternly (adverb) — in a strict, serious way; confusing (adjective) — hard to understand; chrysalis (noun) — the hard case a caterpillar forms before it becomes a butterfly; butterfly (noun) — an insect with large, colorful wings; irritated (adjective) — slightly annoyed; unpleasant (adjective) — not nice; disagreeable; promising (adjective) — showing signs of being good or useful; temper (noun) — how calm or angry a person's mood is; unfolded (verb) — opened out something that was folded up; incessantly (adverb) — without ever stopping; injure (verb) — to hurt or harm; youth (noun) — the time when a person is young; somersault (noun) — a roll of the body heels-over-head; sage (noun) — a very wise old person; supple (adjective) — able to bend easily; ointment (noun) — a smooth cream rubbed on the body; shilling (noun) — an old British coin; muscular (adjective) — having strong muscles; steady (adjective) — firm and not shaking; airs (noun) — a proud, show-off manner; contradicted (verb) — said the opposite of what someone said; content (adjective) — happy and satisfied; wretched (adjective) — very bad or miserable; rearing (verb) — rising up on end; piteous (adjective) — making you feel pity or sorrow; pleaded (verb) — begged earnestly; patiently (adverb) — in a calm way while waiting; yawned (verb) — opened the mouth wide because of being sleepy or bored; crawled (verb) — moved slowly along the ground; nibbled (verb) — took small, careful bites; morsel (noun) — a tiny piece of food; alarm (noun) — a sudden feeling of fear; immense (adjective) — extremely large; stalk (noun) — the tall stem of a plant; serpent (noun) — a snake; graceful (adjective) — moving in a smooth, pretty way; zigzag (noun) — a line that turns sharply back and forth; hiss (noun) — a sharp sss sound; pigeon (noun) — a plump gray bird; indignantly (adverb) — in an angry way because something seems unfair; subdued (adjective) — quieter and calmer than before; hatching (verb) — breaking out of an egg; wriggling (verb) — twisting and squirming about; contempt (noun) — a strong feeling that something is worthless; truthful (adjective) — honest; entangled (verb) — tangled up and caught; crouched (verb) — bent down low with the knees folded; nest (noun) — a bird's home where it lays its eggs.

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Chapter 6: Pig and Pepper

Before you read — think about:

1. What would you do if the person answering a door refused to give you a straight answer?
2. How might a kitchen feel if there were far too much pepper in the air?
3. Have you ever met someone who says everything in a confusing, backwards way?
4. If a stranger handed you something to hold and rushed off, what would you do?
5. What makes a riddle-loving cat both funny and a little unsettling?

Watch for these while reading:

• Notice the two odd servants and how they speak to each other.
• Watch how the Duchess and cook behave around the baby.
• Pay attention to what happens to the baby once Alice takes it outside.
• Look for the Cheshire Cat and the strange way it appears and disappears.
• Notice the directions the Cat gives Alice about where to go next.

Vocabulary to know:

footman (noun) — a male servant, often in a fancy uniform; livery (noun) — the special uniform worn by servants; rapped (verb) — knocked sharply; knuckles (noun) — the bony joints of the fingers; powdered (adjective) — covered with fine white powder; curls (noun) — curved locks of hair; producing (verb) — bringing out or showing something; invitation (noun) — a request asking someone to come to an event; stupidly (adverb) — in a dull, senseless way; extraordinary (adjective) — very unusual and surprising; howling (verb) — making long, loud crying sounds; sneezing (verb) — blowing air out suddenly through the nose; kettle (noun) — a covered pot for boiling water; uncivil (adjective) — rude and not polite; skimming (verb) — flying quickly just above a surface; grazed (verb) — lightly touched or scraped in passing; dreadful (adjective) — very bad; terrible; idiotic (adjective) — very silly or foolish; kitchen (noun) — a room where food is cooked; stool (noun) — a small seat with no back; nursing (verb) — holding and caring for a baby; cauldron (noun) — a large, deep pot for cooking over a fire; pepper (noun) — a spice that can make people sneeze; alternately (adverb) — first one and then the other, over and over; hearth (noun) — the floor area in front of a fireplace; grinning (verb) — smiling very widely; violence (noun) — rough, forceful action; courage (noun) — the strength to face fear; saucepans (noun) — deep cooking pans with long handles; fire-irons (noun) — metal tools used for tending a fire; agony (noun) — great pain or distress; terror (noun) — very great fear; precious (adjective) — greatly valued and loved; advantage (noun) — something helpful that puts you ahead; axis (noun) — the imaginary line a spinning object turns around; abide (verb) — to put up with or stand something; figures (noun) — numbers; lullaby (noun) — a soft song sung to help a baby sleep; verse (noun) — a part of a song or poem; tossing (verb) — throwing lightly up and down; flinging (verb) — throwing hard and carelessly; frying-pan (noun) — a flat pan used for frying food; star-fish (noun) — a sea animal shaped like a star; snorting (verb) — making rough noises through the nose; steam-engine (noun) — a machine powered by steam; grunted (verb) — made a short, low, piglike sound; snout (noun) — the long nose and mouth of an animal; relieved (adjective) — glad because a worry has gone away; handsome (adjective) — good-looking; startled (adjective) — suddenly surprised; bough (noun) — a main branch of a tree; claws (noun) — the sharp, curved nails of an animal; respect (noun) — polite regard or consideration for someone; mad (adjective) — crazy; wildly silly; purring (verb) — the soft rumbling sound a happy cat makes; giddy (adjective) — dizzy; thatched (adjective) — covered with a roof made of straw or, here, fur; vanished (verb) — disappeared suddenly; raving (adjective) — wildly out of one's mind.

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Chapter 7: A Mad Tea-Party

Before you read — think about:

1. What is the strangest tea party or meal you can imagine?
2. Have you ever been asked a riddle that had no real answer? How did it feel?
3. What would it be like if it were always the same time of day, forever?
4. How do you feel when people at a table are rude to a guest?
5. When is it polite to interrupt someone, and when is it not?

Watch for these while reading:

• Notice how the Hatter, the March Hare, and the sleepy Dormouse treat Alice.
• Watch for the famous riddle and whether anyone can answer it.
• Pay attention to what the Hatter says about Time as if it were a person.
• Look for the Dormouse's odd story about three little sisters.
• Notice why Alice finally decides to leave the party.

Vocabulary to know:

dormouse (noun) — a small, sleepy mouse-like animal; cushion (noun) — a soft pad used for resting on; civil (adjective) — polite; raven (noun) — a large black bird; writing-desk (noun) — a small desk made for writing; riddles (noun) — puzzling questions asked for fun; uneasily (adverb) — in a worried, uncomfortable way; meekly (adverb) — in a quiet, gentle, timid way; crumbs (noun) — tiny bits of bread; bread-knife (noun) — a knife used for cutting bread; gloomily (adverb) — in a sad, dull way; readily (adverb) — quickly and willingly; cautiously (adverb) — carefully, to avoid trouble; quarrelled (verb) — argued angrily; concert (noun) — a show where music is performed; twinkle (verb) — to shine with quick little flashes; tea-tray (noun) — a flat board for carrying cups and teapots; pinch (verb) — to squeeze skin between finger and thumb; bawled (verb) — shouted very loudly; exclaimed (verb) — cried out suddenly; mournful (adjective) — very sad; interrupted (verb) — broke in while someone else was speaking; proposal (noun) — a suggestion or plan; treacle (noun) — a thick, sweet syrup; triumphantly (adverb) — in a proud, winning way; milk-jug (noun) — a small pitcher for pouring milk; unwillingly (adverb) — not wanting to; reluctantly; consented (verb) — agreed to do something; doze (noun) — a light, short sleep; mouse-traps (noun) — devices made for catching mice; memory (noun) — the power to remember things; muchness (noun) — a playful made-up word for a great amount or sameness; rudeness (noun) — impolite, unkind behavior; disgust (noun) — a strong feeling of dislike; teapot (noun) — a pot for making and pouring tea; wearily (adverb) — in a tired way; sighed (verb) — let out a long breath showing tiredness or sadness; arm-chair (noun) — a comfortable chair with supports for the arms; grumbled (verb) — complained in a low, unhappy voice; hint (noun) — a small clue or suggestion; opinion (noun) — what a person thinks about something; manner (noun) — a way of doing something; personal (adjective) — about someone in a private or pointed way; instantly (adverb) — at once; immediately; interest (noun) — a feeling of wanting to know more; dipped (verb) — put briefly into a liquid.

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Chapter 8: The Queen's Croquet-Ground

Before you read — think about:

1. Why might someone paint white roses red to hide a mistake?
2. How would you feel meeting a queen who shouts orders at everyone?
3. What would it be like to play a game where the balls and mallets are alive?
4. Have you ever seen someone blame others instead of owning a mistake?
5. What would you do if you saw someone about to be treated unfairly?

Watch for these while reading:

• Notice why the gardeners are painting the roses.
• Watch how the Queen reacts whenever she is displeased.
• Pay attention to the very unusual equipment used in the croquet game.
• Look for how Alice quietly protects the gardeners.
• Notice when and how the Cheshire Cat reappears.

Vocabulary to know:

gardeners (noun) — people who take care of a garden; splashing (verb) — throwing liquid about in drops; jogged (verb) — bumped or nudged; blame (noun) — responsibility for something that went wrong; beheaded (verb) — had the head cut off; deserved (verb) — earned something because of what one did; onions (noun) — round vegetables with a strong smell; unjust (adjective) — not fair; brush (noun) — a tool with bristles used for painting; chanced (verb) — happened by luck; bowed (verb) — bent the body forward to show respect; soldiers (noun) — people who serve in an army; clubs (noun) — heavy sticks used as weapons; also a suit in a deck of cards; oblong (adjective) — longer than it is wide, like a stretched rectangle; courtiers (noun) — attendants who serve at a royal court; ornamented (verb) — decorated; diamonds (noun) — sparkling gems; also a suit in a deck of cards; royal (adjective) — belonging to a king or queen; couples (noun) — pairs; recognised (verb) — knew someone from having seen them before; knave (noun) — an old word for the jack in a deck of cards; crimson (adjective) — a deep red color; velvet (noun) — a soft, rich kind of cloth; procession (noun) — a line of people moving along in a formal way; majesty (noun) — a title used when speaking to a king or queen; fury (noun) — wild, blazing anger; glaring (verb) — staring angrily; decidedly (adverb) — firmly and without doubt; shrill (adjective) — high and piercing in sound; examining (verb) — looking at something closely; unfortunate (adjective) — unlucky; protection (noun) — keeping someone safe from harm; flower-pot (noun) — a container for growing a plant; evidently (adverb) — clearly; in a way that is easy to see; roared (verb) — shouted very loudly; sentence (noun) — a punishment ordered by a ruler or judge; thunder (noun) — the loud crashing sound after lightning; ridges (noun) — long, narrow raised strips of ground; furrows (noun) — long grooves cut into the ground; hedgehogs (noun) — small animals covered with sharp spines; mallets (noun) — hammer-like tools used to hit croquet balls; flamingoes (noun) — tall pink wading birds; arches (noun) — curved openings to pass under; tucked (verb) — folded snugly into place; provoking (adjective) — very annoying; unrolled (verb) — opened out from a rolled-up shape; stamping (verb) — bringing the foot down hard; dispute (noun) — an argument; impertinent (adjective) — rude and disrespectful; executioner (noun) — a person whose job is to carry out a death punishment; helpless (adjective) — unable to help oneself; appealed (verb) — asked urgently for a decision or help; arrow (noun) — a thin, pointed shaft shot from a bow; complaining (adjective) — expressing dissatisfaction.

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Chapter 9: The Mock Turtle's Story

Before you read — think about:

1. Do you think every story or event has to teach a lesson? Why or why not?
2. How would you act around someone who keeps giving you unwanted advice?
3. What foods do you think might change a person's mood, just for fun?
4. Have you ever felt relieved when a scary situation calmed down?
5. What imaginary creature would you most like to meet, and why?

Watch for these while reading:

• Notice how differently the Duchess behaves now compared to the smoky kitchen.
• Watch how the Duchess tries to find a 'moral' in everything.
• Pay attention to how the Queen's arrival changes the mood.
• Look for the new creatures Alice is sent to meet.
• Notice the kind thing the King does near the end.

Vocabulary to know:

affectionately (adverb) — in a loving, fond way; hopeful (adjective) — feeling that good things will happen; vinegar (noun) — a sour liquid used in cooking; sour (adjective) — having a sharp, tart taste; camomile (noun) — a plant used to make a bitter tea; bitter (adjective) — having a sharp, unpleasant taste; barley-sugar (noun) — a hard, sweet candy; stingy (adjective) — unwilling to share or give; moral (noun) — the lesson taught by a story; squeezed (verb) — pressed tightly; ugly (adjective) — unpleasant to look at; mustard (noun) — a spicy yellow paste eaten with food; mineral (noun) — a natural solid substance dug from the earth; vegetable (noun) — a plant grown for food; feather (noun) — one of the light growths that cover a bird; flock (verb) — to gather together in a group; experiment (noun) — a test done to find something out; waist (noun) — the narrow middle part of the body; doubtful (adjective) — unsure; full of doubt; cheap (adjective) — costing little, or of little worth; birthday (noun) — the yearly day that marks when someone was born; thunderstorm (noun) — a storm with thunder and lightning; frowning (verb) — wrinkling the brow to show displeasure; warning (noun) — a message about coming danger; choice (noun) — a decision between different options; custody (noun) — the state of being guarded or held; shade (noun) — a cool, shadowed spot out of the sun; delay (noun) — a wait or hold-up; pardoned (verb) — forgiven and freed from punishment; gryphon (noun) — an imaginary beast that is part eagle and part lion; lazy (adjective) — not wanting to work or move; chuckled (verb) — laughed quietly; mock (adjective) — not real; pretend; dig (noun) — a poke or jab; linked (verb) — joined or connected together; weak (adjective) — not strong; favourite (adjective) — liked best of all; pause (noun) — a short stop; present (noun) — a gift; company (noun) — a group of people gathered together; bore (verb) — put up with something unpleasant; fond (adjective) — having a warm liking for something; guests (noun) — people invited to an event; tut (interjection) — a sound made to show mild scolding or impatience; absence (noun) — the state of being away.

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Chapter 10: The Lobster Quadrille

Before you read — think about:

1. What would an underwater dance look like if sea animals could do one?
2. Have you ever tried to recite something and had the words come out all wrong?
3. Why might a creature feel sad even while doing something silly and fun?
4. How do you feel when grown-ups ask you to 'perform' or repeat something?
5. What sea animals would you most want to meet, and why?

Watch for these while reading:

• Notice how the Mock Turtle and the Gryphon act out their strange dance.
• Watch for the wordplay, like 'porpoise' and 'purpose.'
• Pay attention to the poems Alice tries to recite and how they change.
• Look for how the Mock Turtle feels while singing about soup.
• Notice what interrupts the song at the very end.

Vocabulary to know:

flapper (noun) — a flat, flipper-like limb used for swimming; sobs (noun) — crying sounds made while catching one's breath; throat (noun) — the passage at the front of the neck for food and air; recovered (verb) — got back to normal after being upset or hurt; introduced (verb) — made one person known to another; lobster (noun) — a sea animal with big front claws and a hard shell; quadrille (noun) — an old-fashioned dance for several couples; seals (noun) — sea animals with flippers that swim and bark; salmon (noun) — a large fish with pink flesh; jelly-fish (noun) — a soft, see-through sea creature that can sting; advance (verb) — to move forward; retire (verb) — to move back; partner (noun) — the one you do something with, such as a dance; capering (verb) — leaping and skipping about playfully; treading (verb) — stepping; forepaws (noun) — the front feet of an animal; whiting (noun) — a small sea fish; snail (noun) — a small, soft creature that carries a spiral shell; porpoise (noun) — a small sea animal much like a dolphin; shingle (noun) — the small loose stones on a beach; askance (adverb) — with a sideways, doubtful look; scaly (adjective) — covered with scales, like a fish; beloved (adjective) — dearly loved; blacking (noun) — a polish once used to make shoes shiny; soles (noun) — flat sea fish; also the bottoms of shoes, which makes a pun; shrimp (noun) — a small sea creature with a curved body and thin legs; obliged (verb) — required or forced to do something; journey (noun) — a trip from one place to another; purpose (noun) — the reason for doing something; adventures (noun) — exciting or unusual experiences; explanations (noun) — statements that make something clear; gained (verb) — got more of something over time; sluggard (noun) — a lazy person who is slow to get moving; declare (verb) — to say something firmly and clearly; tureen (noun) — a deep covered dish for serving soup; dainties (noun) — small, delicious treats; pennyworth (noun) — as much of something as one penny can buy; breeze (noun) — a gentle wind; faintly (adverb) — in a weak, hard-to-hear way; uncommon (adjective) — unusual; not often seen or heard; persisted (verb) — kept on doing or asking something; disobey (verb) — to refuse to do what you are told; tastes (noun) — the things a person likes or prefers.

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Chapter 11: Who Stole the Tarts?

Before you read — think about:

1. What do you already know about how a courtroom trial works?
2. Why is it important for a trial to be fair and orderly?
3. How would you feel if you had to speak in front of a shouting king and queen?
4. What might happen if the people running a trial did not really know the rules?
5. Have you ever seen someone get too nervous to answer a simple question?

Watch for these while reading:

• Notice who is on trial and what they are accused of taking.
• Watch how the jurors and officers of the court behave.
• Pay attention to how nervous the first witness becomes.
• Look for the silly ways the King and Queen run the trial.
• Notice the surprising name that is called at the very end.

Vocabulary to know:

throne (noun) — the special chair a king or queen sits on; chains (noun) — connected metal links used to hold a prisoner; guard (verb) — to watch over someone so they cannot escape; trumpet (noun) — a brass horn that plays loud notes; scroll (noun) — a rolled-up sheet used for writing; parchment (noun) — a stiff writing material used long ago; tarts (noun) — small open pies with sweet filling; refreshments (noun) — light food and drinks; justice (noun) — fairness, especially in matters of law; wig (noun) — a covering of fake hair worn on the head; becoming (adjective) — suiting a person; looking right on them; jury-box (noun) — the place where the jury sits during a trial; jurors (noun) — the members of a jury; spectacles (noun) — eyeglasses; muddle (noun) — a confused mess; neighbour (noun) — a person right next to you; herald (noun) — an official who makes public announcements; accusation (noun) — a claim that someone has done wrong; blasts (noun) — sudden loud bursts of sound; verdict (noun) — a jury's decision about whether someone is guilty; witness (noun) — a person who tells a court what they saw or know; teacup (noun) — a small cup for drinking tea; reduced (verb) — changed something into a smaller amount; pence (noun) — British coins each worth one penny; memorandum (noun) — a short written note to help remember something; fidgeted (verb) — moved about restlessly out of nervousness; evidence (noun) — facts that help show what really happened; reasonable (adjective) — sensible and fair; ridiculous (adjective) — very silly and deserving to be laughed at; fashion (noun) — a way or manner of doing something; officers (noun) — people whose job is to keep order; miserable (adjective) — very unhappy; suppressed (verb) — stopped or held down by force; canvas (noun) — strong, rough cloth; applause (noun) — clapping to show approval; cross-examine (verb) — to question a witness closely in court; undertone (noun) — a low, quiet voice; fumbled (verb) — handled something clumsily; cheered (verb) — shouted with approval; dunce (noun) — a person who is slow to learn; singers (noun) — people who sing.

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Chapter 12: Alice's Evidence

Before you read — think about:

1. How would you speak up if you saw a trial being run unfairly?
2. What does it mean to stand up for what is right, even to powerful people?
3. Have you ever had a dream so vivid it felt completely real?
4. Why might a story choose to end by waking a character from a dream?
5. How do you feel when a big adventure finally comes to an end?

Watch for these while reading:

• Notice how Alice's growing size changes how brave she feels.
• Watch the made-up rules the King tries to use against Alice.
• Pay attention to the mysterious poem read as evidence.
• Look for the moment Alice stops being afraid of the Queen.
• Notice how the whole adventure is finally explained.

Vocabulary to know:

flurry (noun) — a sudden burst of excitement or activity; skirt (noun) — the lower part of a dress that hangs down; sprawling (verb) — lying spread out in an untidy way; globe (noun) — a round, ball-shaped object; goldfish (noun) — a small orange pet fish; dismay (noun) — a feeling of worry and unhappy surprise; accident (noun) — something bad that happens by chance; vague (adjective) — not clear; fuzzy; emphasis (noun) — special force or importance given to something; signifies (verb) — means or matters; diligently (adverb) — with careful, steady effort; overcome (adjective) — overwhelmed by a strong feeling; gazing (verb) — looking steadily for a long time; respectful (adjective) — showing politeness and regard; cackled (verb) — made a loud, harsh laughing cry; note-book (noun) — a book of blank pages for writing notes; invented (verb) — made up something new on the spot; prisoner (noun) — a person who is being held or put on trial; directed (verb) — addressed to a particular person; verses (noun) — lines of a poem; handwriting (noun) — the way a person forms letters when writing; imitated (verb) — copied the way someone else does something; brightened (verb) — became happier or more cheerful; mischief (noun) — playful or naughty trouble-making; honest (adjective) — truthful and fair; clapping (noun) — striking the hands together to show approval; guilt (noun) — the fact of having done something wrong; prove (verb) — to show that something is true; signed (verb) — wrote one's name on something; sixpence (noun) — an old British coin worth six pennies; atom (noun) — a tiny bit; the smallest possible amount; cardboard (noun) — stiff, thick paper; inkstand (noun) — a holder for a bottle of ink; trickling (verb) — flowing in a thin, slow stream; pun (noun) — a joke that plays on words that sound alike; purple (adjective) — a color made by mixing red and blue; tongue (noun) — the movable part in the mouth used for tasting and talking; lap (noun) — the flat area on top of your legs when you sit; fluttered (verb) — moved lightly and quickly through the air; rustled (verb) — made a soft crackling sound; clasped (verb) — held tightly together; eager (adjective) — full of keen desire; excited to do something; reality (noun) — the way things really are; rippling (verb) — moving in small waves; reeds (noun) — tall grasses that grow near water; tinkling (verb) — making light, ringing sounds; shepherd (noun) — a person who takes care of sheep; clamour (noun) — a loud, continuous noise; farm-yard (noun) — the open area around farm buildings; lowing (noun) — the mooing sound cows make; cattle (noun) — cows kept on a farm; joys (noun) — feelings of great happiness.

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About the Author

Lewis Carroll was the pen name of an Englishman named Charles Dodgson, who lived in the 1800s. He was a math teacher who loved word games, puzzles, and telling stories to children. He first made up the tale of Alice while rowing a boat one summer afternoon to entertain three young sisters, and one of them, named Alice, begged him to write it down. He did, and it became one of the best-loved children's books in the world.

This story was written more than 150 years ago in England, during a time called the Victorian era. Back then, many children's books were serious and full of lessons about behaving properly. "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" was different and exciting because it was written just to be playful and fun, full of nonsense and silliness. It helped change the kinds of stories that people wrote for children, and it has been loved by families all over the world ever since.