'Hattie and the Fox' by Mem Fox

Mem Fox writes a spectacular fun story about farmyard animals called ‘Hattie and the Fox’. The story is about a big black hen Hattie who see something in the bushes. First she sees a nose, then two eyes, two ears. As the animal in the bushes is slowly revealed bit by bit, she warns her farmyard friends who don’t take her concern seriously.

 

The author is well known for using repetition and rhythm with her words. Through visualisation and text, creating meaning from the two modes, students are able to predict what might happen next in the story. It’s a great book for teachers to teach students about inferring.

The book can be used in many ways in an English classroom. It is an idea book for shared reading as the simple text allows students to read aloud, look at each character closely. Students will develop an understanding of the structure of a narrative, with a beginning, middle and end.