The Fox and the Hare
Watchprint.Com Series
What’s inside...
'The Fox and the Hare' is based on an old Russian folk tale retold by Vladimir Dal and beautifully animated by Yuri Norstein. The story centers around a cunning Fox who takes over the Little Hare's house after her ice palace melts. Despite the Hare's attempts to enlist help from other animals, the Fox remains. The tale is brought to life through Francesca Yarbusova's character designs, which are full of emotion and soul. Helena Giersz, a renowned designer, praises Norstein for his devotion to animation and his ability to create enchanting worlds. The story is also part of the Norstein & Yarbusova Collection, which includes other works based on the art of these famous Russian artists.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-17
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the hare to help the fox, despite their differences?
How do you feel about the way the animals treated each other in the story?
What would you have done if you were the hare when the fox needed help?
What does the story teach us about trust and friendship?
How can we apply the lesson from the fox and the hare to our everyday lives?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage empathy by asking your child how they think each character felt during key moments in the story.
Facilitate critical thinking by asking your child to imagine alternative endings for the book based on different choices made by the characters.
Promote connections to personal experiences by discussing times when your child had to decide whether to help someone.
Highlight the moral lessons by discussing the importance of helping others and being trustworthy, and how it can impact relationships.
Use expressive reading to enhance engagement, changing your tone and pace to match the emotions and actions in the story.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of wisdom over strength
Explanation: In 'The Fox and the Hare', the fox uses her cunning to outsmart stronger animals, showing that intelligence can be more effective than physical power.
Real-World Application: Children learn that thinking through a problem can often provide better solutions than trying to use force or sheer strength.
Example Lesson: The value of kindness and helping others
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters assist each other during difficult times, demonstrating the positive impacts of cooperation and altruism.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to help their peers and fosters a sense of community and support among them.
Example Lesson: Consequences of deceit
Explanation: The story also highlights moments where deceit leads to trouble, teaching that dishonesty can have negative outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children understand the importance of honesty in building trust and maintaining healthy relationships.
Example Lesson: Adaptability in the face of challenges
Explanation: The characters often face unexpected challenges, and their success is linked to their ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Real-World Application: This lesson equips children with the mindset to embrace change and view obstacles as opportunities to learn and grow.