What You Need to Know:
• Fantastic Mr. Fox is a unique, quirky story of serious conflicts with grave results that will inspire great discussions.
• The animals talk and work together as a team under the leadership of Mr. Fox.
• Be aware of the strong language – about killing, guns and shooting and even Mr. Fox calling his son a “twerp” – and
the sometimes violent message.
• The meaning of the story may be confusing – what is usually “right” is wrong.
• Younger children may enjoy hearing the book read aloud as long as it is explained and they don’t scare easily.
• Look for the movie version to be released in late 2009. |
Sweet Book Summary:
This book covers a lot of territory – good vs. evil, right versus wrong, robbing from the rich to feed the poor, gun control. Mr. Fox is definitely fantastic. At least that is what his wife and kids think when he brings them a delicious meal every night. On the other hand, the three farmers that he is stealing from in order to provide these meals are not too happy with him. To make things more complicated, the three farmers are the meanest, most horrible people you could ever imagine. They figure out that the fox is the culprit and are determined to do something about it. “I’d like to rip his guts out” and “He must be killed” are just some of their suggestions.
It becomes a battle of the humans versus the animals and the animals seem to outsmart them. When Mr. Badger questions their behavior, Mr. Fox says that Badger is too “respectable” and goes on to justify their actions by saying that anyone would swipe a few things if a child were starving and at least they aren’t stooping to the farmers’ level and trying to kill anyone. Mr. Fox takes the stand that the animals are peace loving and simply trying to survive. In this mixed up world where wrongful acts seem justified, Fantastic Mr. Fox makes Badger a believer too. |
Author: Roald Dahl Illustrator: Donald Chaffin Published: 1970, 96 pgs
Themes: Adventure, Animals, Books for Boys, Fantasy, Life Challenges |
If You Liked This Book, Try:
The Magic Finger, Roald Dahl
My Father’s Dragon, Ruth Stiles Gannett
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl |
| This recommendation was written by: Melissa G. |
| Support Independent Book Shops: Click Here to Buy this Book on IndieBound |
|
Capture the Flag
