Flossie and the Fox
Book Summary:
Flossie and the Fox tells the story of a clever young girl named Flossie who outsmarts a sly fox trying to steal her basket of eggs. As the fox tries to prove his identity, Flossie challenges him with sharp wit and confidence, never showing fear. The story celebrates intelligence, courage, and self-assurance—showing how wisdom and confidence can triumph over power and intimidation.
Recommended Questions:
When Patricia McKissack was a child, she was told that “Black people could not be authors.” How do you think that made her feel, and what qualities might she have needed to overcome those barriers?
McKissack became a teacher, then an editor, and finally an author of more than 100 books. What does her journey show us about determination and believing in yourself?
Pretend you are the fox. What could you have said or done to convince Flossie that you really were a fox? Why do you think that would—or wouldn’t—have worked?
Why do you think it was so important to the fox that Flossie admit he was a fox? What did that say about how he saw himself?
Do you think Flossie made a good choice in how she dealt with the fox? What else could she have done to keep herself safe?
What do you think this story teaches about power and confidence?
Standards:
NCSS Theme 4: Individual Development and Identity
The story encourages students to think about how self-confidence and critical thinking shape identity. Flossie doesn’t let the fox—or anyone else—define what she should believe or how she should act. Her calm, clever responses model independence and a strong sense of self, showing that identity is shaped by how we respond to challenges and how we see our own worth.
Social Justice Anchor Standard 13: Examining Inequity
Flossie challenges the fox’s assumptions about her intelligence and bravery, turning stereotypes upside down. Her cleverness and confidence highlight how people can question unfair power dynamics and refuse to be defined by bias or social expectations.
WA Social Studies Skills 1: Uses critical reasoning skills to analyze and evaluate claims
Flossie questions everything the fox says, asking for evidence and reasoning through each of his claims. This models how to use logic, communication, and calm questioning to make thoughtful decisions and stay safe in challenging situations.
