The Emperor's True Treasure
A Quiet Lesson in Gratitude
An emperor with a palace full of gold cannot understand why he feels so empty. The villagers, who have almost nothing, seem to have everything that matters. A picture book about where richness actually lives.
Available in English, Spanish, and French
Page and audio available in Spanish, English, and French
📖 Paperback · 📱 eBook · See current price on Amazon
🛒 Buy on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate, Pawa Press earns from qualifying purchases.
Talk about it together
Three questions to open a conversation, one for each part of the read.
- Before readingThe emperor has a palace full of gold and still feels empty. What do you think is missing?
- While you readThe villagers have almost nothing and seem happy. What do they have that he does not?
- After readingName three things you have that no money could buy.
You might also like
The Tower That Touched the Sky
A Story About Humility, Listening, and True Brilliance
Architect Victor Mercer designs the tallest tower ever conceived. Only one junior engineer raises a hand he never sees. When the dust settles, Victor learns how to design with questions rather than certainty.
Russet the Fox Learns a Lesson
A Gentle Illustrated Fable About Listening, Humility, and Patience – A Clever Fox Story of Growing Up, for Kids Ages 4–8
Russet is sure he is the cleverest fox in the den. Faster than his siblings. Smarter than the farmer. Too quick to ever get caught. So when his mother warns him about the dogs and the wire fence, he barely listens. Then comes the night the wire wraps around his leg. A picture book fable about humility, listening, and the quiet wisdom of taking your time.
The Fig Tree's Secret
A Mediterranean Tale of Heritage, Memory, and Family
When Sofia inherits her grandmother's Mediterranean cottage, the gnarled old fig tree in the garden is first on her list to cut down. Then old Mr. Costas comes running through the gate and begins to tell her what the tree has watched: three hundred years of harvests, festivals, and recipes her grandmother kept by hand. A tender story about the trees and people we almost lose by going too fast, and how some inheritances are made of stories.
Try an activity
Hand-matched to this story.
Adventure Reading Journal
A simple journal to record books you've read, your favorite characters and scenes. Saves to your device.
Ages: 6-9Try itReadingReading Bingo
Complete reading challenges across a bingo board, five in a row earns a celebration.
Ages: 6-9Try itReadingReading Tracker
Log the books you've read and watch your reading streak grow. Saves to your device.
Ages: 5-9Try itReading with your child
All resources →Free guides and printables for every story.
- Parent & Teacher GuideDiscussion prompts and read-aloud tips for getting the most from each story.
- 5 Creative Follow-Up Activities After ReadingExtend the learning and fun beyond the last page with these engaging activities.
- 10 Ways to Make Reading Time MagicalTransform ordinary reading sessions into memorable adventures your child will love.
- Why Bilingual Reading MattersThe science behind reading in two languages and why code-switching is a gift, not a problem.