Beware of A Very Hungry Fox

This book does not have any processes involved in it. It only talks about a few characters.

• Author: Patty Wolcott
• Illustrator: Lucinda McQueen
• Year Published: 1975

Science Topics

• Life Science

Minimum Suggested Grade Level

• Prekindergarten

Maximum Suggested Grade Level

• 1st Grade

Summary

This book is about some chipmunks and two foxes. The chipmunks are scared of the hungry foxes and the foxes are hunting the chipmunks. It is about how the chipmunks are trying to escape the very hungry fox.

Evaluation

• Appropriateness: Low
• Authority: Low
• Accuracy: Medium
• Liteary Artistry: Medium
• Appearance: Medium

Questions

Does the book foster development of processes?

This book does not have any processes involved in it. It only talks about a few characters.

Does the book provide an opportunity for children to ask and answer their own questions?

It provides the opportunity to ask questions, but they are not very scientific in nature. They could ask questions as to what the animals could be eating or possibly the food chain. However, I think these questions would need to prompted.

Does the book encourage children to think for themselves?

It does not really encourage children to think for themselves. The book is very repetitive. It does not really have any sort of factual information.

Is the science topic addressed in ways that are appropriate to the lesson?

It somewhat addresses the food chain. It also could possibly be used for a lesson on animals in the wild. This book would not be appropriate for children unless they were very young.

Is the content based on sound scientific principles? Is it accurate?

Technically, it is based on sound scientific principles. It is accurate because it is a fox looking to eat chipmunks and the chipmunks looking to eat things in the trees. The scientific principle it could be based on could possibly be a food web.

Does the book distinguish between fact and fiction?

It doesn’t distinguish between fact and fiction. The animals are able to speak in the book, which is fiction. But the fox does want to eat the chipmunks, which is fact in the wild. These things go hand in hand during the book.

Are the illustrations clear and accurate?

All the illustrations are clear, however, they are not always accurate. It shows animals speaking and playing with toys. It also doesn’t always show the animals drawn to proportion.

Is the book written at the level of your students?

I would say it is lower than the level of my current students. I am in second grade and I think this book would best be used in a younger grade, if at all. I think this because it is very easy sentences, vocabulary and also very repetitive.

Is there a multicultural component? Is it free from stereotyping?

There is no multicultural component. It is free from stereotyping. It is only about animals.

Is the book free from gender bias?

It is free from gender bias. The reader is not told the gender of the animals. There is no sense of any type of bias or discrimination in the text.

Does the book show the close association between science and other disciplines?

I do not think the book shows any association between science deliberately. If there is science present, I do not think the author meant for there to be any. It seems to me like it is just a children’s book that could be read for fun.

Does the book present a positive attitude toward science and technology?

The book has a positive attitude in general. It is a cute picture book. It doesn’t mention technology so there is no attitude towards that at all.