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Flossie & the Fox facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Pat McKissack |
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| Illustrator | Rachel Isadora |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Children's literature, picture book, Trickster tale |
| Published | 1986 (Dial Books for Young Readers) |
| Media type | Print (hardback) |
| Pages | 32 (unpaginated) |
| ISBN | 9780803702516 |
| OCLC | 13092593 |
Flossie & the Fox is a 1986 picture book written by Pat McKissack. The story is about a brave young girl named Flossie. She is on her way to deliver some eggs to a neighbor. Along her journey, she meets a tricky fox. Flossie must use her wits to outsmart the clever animal. This book is a great example of a trickster tale.
Contents
About the Story
The book Flossie & the Fox takes place in the American South. Flossie is a young girl given an important job. She needs to carry a basket of eggs to Miz Viola's house. Her grandmother warns her to be careful on the way. The path to Miz Viola's goes through the woods.
Flossie's Clever Plan
As Flossie walks, she meets a fox. The fox tries to trick her into believing he is a real fox. He wants to scare her so he can get her eggs. But Flossie is very smart. She pretends she does not believe he is a fox. She asks him to prove it. She makes him do silly things to show he is a fox. This keeps him busy and confused. Flossie uses her words and quick thinking. She manages to keep her eggs safe. She also gets away from the fox. Her cleverness helps her reach Miz Viola's house without trouble.
Meet the Author: Pat McKissack
Patricia McKissack was a famous American author.
Patricia McKissack (1944–2017) was an important American author. She wrote many books for children and young adults. Her stories often focused on African American history and culture. She wanted to share important lessons and experiences. McKissack won many awards for her writing. These include the Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King Award. Flossie & the Fox is one of her well-loved picture books. She often wrote about strong characters. These characters faced challenges and learned to overcome them.
What is a Trickster Tale?
Flossie & the Fox is a type of story called a trickster tale. In these tales, a character uses cleverness or tricks. They often outsmart a stronger or more powerful opponent. The trickster is not always good or bad. They use their wits to solve problems. They might also teach a lesson. In this book, Flossie is the trickster. She uses her intelligence to outsmart the fox. Trickster tales are found in many cultures around the world. They often show that brains can beat brawn.
Important Lessons from the Book
This book teaches several valuable lessons. One main lesson is about using your intelligence. Flossie does not fight the fox with strength. Instead, she uses her mind. She talks her way out of a dangerous situation. This shows that thinking smart can be more powerful than being strong. Another lesson is about bravery. Flossie is a young girl. She faces a scary animal. But she stays calm and thinks clearly. She does not let fear stop her. The story also highlights the importance of being observant. Flossie notices details about the fox. She uses these details to her advantage.