The Favorite Uncle Remus
Uncle Remus Series
on Goodreads (90)
What’s inside...
This book brings together for the first time in one volume the best stories of Joel Chandler Harris.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
10-12
Length
320 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think about the way Uncle Remus tells the stories to the little boy? How does it make you feel?
Which story was your favorite and why?
How do the animals in the tales behave like people? Can you think of examples from the stories?
What lessons do you think Uncle Remus wants to teach with his stories?
How would you feel if you were in the place of any of the characters from the tales?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, let your child lead the conversation at times to see which aspects caught their attention the most.
Encourage your child to relate the moral lessons from the stories to events in their own life or in the lives of their friends or family.
Ask your child to imagine and describe how they would tell one of Uncle Remus’s stories in their own words or if they were a character in it.
Facilitate a discussion on the different emotions characters might have felt during the stories, helping your child to explore empathy and perspective-taking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of cleverness and resourcefulness
Explanation: Through the character of Brer Rabbit, the book showcases how clever thinking and resourcefulness can help overcome larger, stronger adversaries.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think critically and solve problems creatively when facing challenges, whether in school or in social settings.
Example Lesson: The consequences of deceit
Explanation: Characters like Brer Fox and Brer Bear often face repercussions for their deceitful plans, illustrating that dishonesty can lead to unfavorable outcomes.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of honesty and the potential negative consequences of lying or cheating.
Example Lesson: The strength of cooperation
Explanation: Several stories in the book highlight how characters achieve their goals by working together, emphasizing the power of cooperation.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of teamwork and how collaborating with others can help tackle difficult tasks and achieve common goals.
Example Lesson: Respect for others' differences
Explanation: The diverse range of characters, each with unique traits and perspectives, teaches respect for others' differences and the richness it brings to communities.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to embrace diversity in their daily interactions and understand the value of different perspectives.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Characters who make poor choices often face consequences, which serve as learning opportunities within the narratives.
Real-World Application: Children understand that making mistakes is a part of life and learning from them is essential for personal growth.