Brer Rabbit & The Tar Baby
#5 in Uncle Remus Series
on Goodreads (1,585)
What’s inside...
In this illustrated retelling of the famous Uncle Remus tale, Brer Fox sets out to capture the tricky Brer Rabbit and teach him a lesson. As usual, Brer Rabbit wriggles out of trouble by making a tar baby. This wonderful collection includes the best stories and their fantastic characters such as Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Bear, and Brer Wolf, gathered together in one volume. The collection features illustrations that originally accompanied the tales in 'Uncle Remus And Brer Rabbit', 'Uncle Remus: His Songs And His Sayings', and 'Nights With Uncle Remus'. It’s been more than a hundred years since the publication of the first Uncle Remus book, and it was in 1955 that all of the delightful and inimitable tales of Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Bear, and Brer Wolf were gathered together in one volume.
Character compass
Brer Rabbit
Brer Fox
Tar Baby
Discussion points
What do you think Brer Rabbit felt when he met the Tar Baby?
Why do you think Brer Rabbit kept talking to the Tar Baby, even though it didn't respond?
How do you think the story would change if Brer Rabbit ignored the Tar Baby?
What lesson can we learn from Brer Rabbit’s situation with the Tar Baby?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to talk about the emotions of the characters. This can help them understand and express their own feelings.
Ask your child to guess what might happen next in the story. This keeps them engaged and stimulates their imagination.
Connect the story to real-life situations. Discussing similar challenges can help children apply the lessons of the story to their own experiences.
Praise your child for their thoughts and insights. This reinforces their interest in reading and discussing stories.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of using wit over force
Explanation: Brer Rabbit uses his cleverness to escape from a sticky situation rather than relying on physical strength.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of thinking creatively to solve problems rather than using aggression or brute force.
Example Lesson: Consequences of deceit
Explanation: Brer Fox's attempt to trap Brer Rabbit with the Tar Baby ultimately backfires, teaching that dishonesty or trickery can lead to unforeseen consequences.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to consider honesty as the best policy and think about the potential long-term effects of their actions.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Brer Rabbit faces a challenging situation but does not give up, using his resourcefulness to escape.
Real-World Application: Kids are reminded of the importance of perseverance and resilience when confronted with difficult or seemingly impossible obstacles.
Example Lesson: Understanding and managing emotions
Explanation: Brer Rabbit's initial panic shifts to strategic thinking, demonstrating control over his emotions.
Real-World Application: This can teach children how to manage their feelings effectively, moving from initial emotional reactions to thoughtful responses.
Example Lesson: The power of asking for help
Explanation: When Brer Rabbit pleads to be thrown into the briar patch, his plea is strategic, but it also shows the importance of vocalizing needs or seeking help.
Real-World Application: It encourages children to understand that it’s okay to ask for help and that sometimes, it can lead to the best solutions.