Fantastic Mr. Fox
What’s inside...
Boggis, Bunce, and Bean are the meanest three farmers determined to catch Mr. Fox, who has other plans to outfox them. Featuring a new Quentin Blake cover and author biography, this edition celebrates Mr. Fox's clever antics to evade the farmers. Fat Boggis, squat Bunce, and skinny Bean have Mr. Fox and his family surrounded, but they underestimate the cunning of Mr. Fox. Only a fantastic plan can save him now.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-9
Length
112 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes Mr. Fox fantastic?
How did Mr. Fox show cleverness and bravery in the story?
What can we learn from the way the animals worked together?
How would you solve a problem like Mr. Fox did?
What feelings did you experience when the farmers were trying to catch Mr. Fox?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think deeper by asking them how they would feel in Mr. Fox's situation.
Discuss the importance of teamwork as demonstrated by the animals in the story.
Highlight Mr. Fox's problem-solving skills and ask your child about times they had to solve problems of their own.
Use expressive reading to make the story more engaging and to help your child understand the emotions of the characters.
Connect the story to real-life events, discussing the impact of human actions on wildlife and what we can learn about empathy and resourcefulness.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness
Explanation: Mr. Fox showcases his cleverness and resourcefulness by devising plans to help feed his family despite the farmers' attempts to stop him.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of thinking creatively to solve problems, encouraging them to think outside the box in challenging situations.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The animals in the story collaborate and support each other to overcome obstacles, highlighting the power of working together.
Real-World Application: Kids are taught the value of cooperation and helping one another, applicable in group projects and team sports.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Despite numerous setbacks, Mr. Fox remains determined to protect his family, demonstrating perseverance.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of determination in achieving goals, resonating in their pursuit of academic and personal objectives.
Example Lesson: Strategic Thinking
Explanation: Mr. Fox’s plans often involve careful thought and strategy, reflecting the significance of strategic thinking.
Real-World Application: Children learn to plan ahead and weigh possible outcomes, useful in problem-solving tasks and decision-making.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Greed
Explanation: The farmers' relentless pursuit driven by greed ultimately leads to their downfall, illustrating the negative impacts of excessive greed.
Real-World Application: Children observe the repercussions of being overly greedy and learn the importance of moderation and contentment.