The little red hen and the sly fox
not part of a series
What’s inside...
In 'The Little Red Hen and the Sly Fox,' written by Vivian French, the story follows the industrious Little Red Hen as she finds some grains of wheat and decides to plant them. Despite asking for help from her lazy farmyard friends—the cat, the dog, and the duck—they all refuse to assist her. The Little Red Hen proceeds to plant, harvest, and mill the wheat into flour, and then bakes a loaf of bread, all on her own. When the bread is ready, her friends are eager to help eat it, but she chooses to eat it with her chicks instead, as they were the only ones who helped her. Meanwhile, a sly fox has been watching and plotting to steal the bread. He tries to trick the Little Red Hen into leaving her house, but she outsmarts him at every turn. In the end, the sly fox is unsuccessful, and the Little Red Hen and her chicks enjoy the fruits of their labor, safe and sound. The story teaches lessons about hard work, self-reliance, and the importance of being cautious of those who do not have your best interests at heart.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
25 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Little Red Hen
Sly Fox
Discussion points
What do you think motivated the little red hen to keep working, despite the sly fox’s tricks?
How did the little red hen show courage and cleverness throughout the story?
What can we learn from the way the sly fox behaved?
Why is it important to be cautious and wise when dealing with tricky situations?
How would you have handled the situation if you were in the little red hen’s place?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by asking your child to summarize the story in their own words to gauge their understanding and perspective.
Discuss the values exhibited by the little red hen, such as hard work and wisdom, and relate them to real-life scenarios your child might encounter.
Use the sly fox's character to talk about the importance of recognizing dishonest behavior and the significance of honesty.
Encourage your child to reflect on what they might do differently if faced with a similar situation as in the book, enhancing their problem-solving skills.
Praise the child’s thoughts and responses throughout the conversation to boost their confidence and encourage a love for reading and analysis.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The little red hen demonstrates responsibility by taking care of her grains and making bread, showing diligence and care for her tasks.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to take responsibility for their own chores and tasks, understanding that hard work leads to rewards.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Deception
Explanation: The sly fox's deceptive nature ultimately leads to his downfall, teaching that dishonesty can result in negative outcomes.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand the importance of honesty and that being deceitful can lead to loss of trust and other negative consequences in real life.
Example Lesson: The Value of Vigilance
Explanation: The little red hen's alertness saves her from the deceitful plans of the sly fox, highlighting the importance of being aware of one’s surroundings.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by staying alert and cautious, especially in unfamiliar or potentially risky situations.
Example Lesson: The Importance of Saying No
Explanation: The little red hen says no to the fox when he attempts to trick her, teaching children about the importance of setting boundaries.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that it is okay to refuse requests or situations that make them uncomfortable or seem wrong.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Sharing
Explanation: The story concludes with the hen sharing the bread with her friends who helped her, underscoring the value of teamwork and cooperation.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of working together and sharing the fruits of collective efforts with others.