Before Reading Flossie and the Fox

Remind students that animals in literature are usually thought to have certain “stereotypic” qualities (e.g., pigs are sloppy and lazy, lions are courageous, mice are timid, lambs are gentle, rats are not to be trusted, etc.). Get children on the right train of thought by asking if they know what it means to be “chicken” or a “pig.” Ask if any of the children have ever heard the expression, “sly as a fox.” (If necessary, help children look up the exact meaning of the word “sly” in the dictionary.) Tell the children that this story is about a little girl who meets just such a sly fox on her way to a neighbor's house.

After Reading Flossie and the Fox

Ask the children to describe what kind of a girl Flossie is. Have them cite examples from the book to support their reasonings By the end of the book, Flossie says she believes the fox is telling the truth. Ask students to explain when they believe Flossie first knew that the fox really was a fox.