Little Red Hen
illustrations by
What’s inside...
The Little Red Hen is a classic folk tale about a hen who finds wheat grains and attempts to enlist the help of other farm animals to plant, harvest, mill, and bake the wheat into bread. Despite her repeated requests for assistance, she is turned down each time. When the bread is finally ready, those same animals are eager to eat, but the Little Red Hen chooses to enjoy the bread with her chicks, who helped her with the work. The story teaches the moral that those who do not contribute to the work do not get to share in the rewards.
Age
3-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Little Red Hen
Mouse
Dog
The Cat
Discussion points
Why do you think the Little Red Hen wanted help from her friends?
How did the Little Red Hen feel when her friends would not help her?
What do you think the story teaches us about teamwork and helping others?
How would you have helped the Little Red Hen if you were there?
What would you do if you were one of the friends who didn’t help? Would you act differently after seeing the outcome?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use facial expressions and voice modulation to depict different characters and their emotions, making the story more relatable and engaging.
Ask your child to guess what might happen next in the story to keep them thinking actively as the plot unfolds.
After reading, connect the story’s lessons to real-life situations where they could help out at home or in school, reinforcing the message of the book.
Encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene, which can spark discussion about the story and its characters.
Praise your child's responses and insights during the discussion to boost their confidence and interest in analyzing stories.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of hard work and responsibility
Explanation: In 'Little Red Hen,' the protagonist takes on the task of making bread - from planting wheat seeds to baking - all by herself because no other animal is willing to help.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of taking initiative and completing tasks independently, reinforcing the importance of contributing to household chores or school projects diligently.
Example Lesson: The value of cooperation and teamwork
Explanation: Throughout the story, the hen seeks help from other farm animals who refuse, leading to her working alone. At the end, when the bread is ready, the animals want to share but the hen eats it alone, highlighting that teamwork could have benefitted everyone.
Real-World Application: This story can encourage children to participate in group activities, understanding that success often comes from working together, making tasks easier and more enjoyable.
Example Lesson: The consequences of laziness
Explanation: The other animals refuse to help the Little Red Hen at every stage of bread-making, choosing laziness over labor. As a result, they aren't allowed to enjoy the fruits of the hen's labor, which is the freshly baked bread.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children understand that avoiding work doesn't lead to rewards, and that being proactive is more beneficial.
Example Lesson: Self-reliance and independence
Explanation: The Little Red Hen decides to handle the bread-making process on her own after receiving no assistance from the others, demonstrating self-reliance and independence.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to rely on themselves to accomplish tasks and solve problems, which builds confidence and self-esteem.