Giant Treasury of Brer Rabbit
Once/Now/Then/After Series
on Goodreads (22)
What’s inside...
A retelling of the classic Afro-American tales about Br'er Rabbit and his friends and enemies, animals who are constantly on the prowl to fool each other.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
88 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Brer Rabbit
Brer Bear
Brer Fox
Discussion points
What do you think Brer Rabbit's clever tricks tell us about solving problems?
How did the other characters react to Brer Rabbit's actions? What does this teach us about empathy?
Why do you think Brer Rabbit always tries to outsmart the others? What are the consequences?
Can you think of a time when you had to use your wits to get out of trouble, like Brer Rabbit?
Which of Brer Rabbit's adventures was your favorite and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive tones and voices for different characters to make the storytelling lively and engaging.
After each story, pause to discuss Brer Rabbit's motivations and whether his decisions were good or bad, promoting moral reasoning.
Encourage your child to predict what might happen next in the adventures, enhancing their analytical thinking.
Relate the themes of the stories to real-life situations your child may face, such as dealing with tricky situations at school or with friends.
Celebrate the fun aspects of the book by perhaps planning a themed craft or drawing session inspired by the stories.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of quick thinking
Explanation: In the stories, Brer Rabbit often escapes tight spots by using his wits and cunning against stronger adversaries.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of using intelligence and creativity to solve problems, which can be applied at school or in social situations.
Example Lesson: The consequences of deceit
Explanation: Brer Rabbit sometimes tricks other characters, which leads to various consequences, teaching that deceit can complicate life.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand why honesty is crucial in building trust and maintaining healthy relationships.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: Despite numerous challenges, Brer Rabbit never gives up, demonstrating determination.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to persevere through difficulties in their own lives, be it in learning new skills or handling personal setbacks.
Example Lesson: Understanding the perspectives of others
Explanation: Brer Rabbit's interactions highlight how different characters view situations differently.
Real-World Application: Teaches children to consider other people's feelings and viewpoints, fostering empathy and better communication skills.
Example Lesson: The strength of cleverness over brute force
Explanation: Brer Rabbit consistently outsmarts stronger opponents, showing that brains can prevail over brawn.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to think strategically in conflicts and emphasizes the power of intellect over physical strength.