Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox: Book Review

My daughter-in-law purchased this beautiful book for our five-year-old grandson. I read it to him yesterday and was completely enchanted with it.

I hope you love it as much as I do.

Title: Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox

Author-Illustrator: Danielle Daniel

Publishing: Groundwood Books, Reprint 2018

Theme: Animals, Animal Totems, Poetry

Age: 4-8

Synopsis: Danielle Daniel, a Metis author and illustrator, introduces young children to the Anishinaabe tradition of totem animals. Each page depicts a young child wearing an animal mask and explaining, in simple poetry, why they chose that particular animal.

In the author's words:

Animal totems are also known as animal guides. In my book, a selection of totems act as guides to help children identify with the positive character traits of animals that may be familiar to them....Totem animals remind us that all living organisms are part of the same cycle of life.

Opening Lines: Sometimes I feel like a bear, strong and confident. I stand tall and growl and protect those around me.

Why I Like This Book:  The artwork is gorgeous and the text is simple, yet poetic. It's a lovely way to introduce children to animal totems, to the positive characteristics of both animals and themselves, and how we are alike in so many ways. It also encourages the reader to look at the world in a new way; a way that values and respects nature and all its creatures.

Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox has also won numerous awards!

Book Related Activities:

1. As a class, brainstorm a list of animals and their positive characteristics. 


2. Each child could choose their favourite animal and make a mask. There are some templates here.  Have the children engage in some drama activities while wearing their masks.


3. Below are pictures from the book of children in animal masks. Have your class draw themselves wearing an animal mask.


4. After their artwork is complete, they could write a short piece about why they feel like that animal. I was going to make you a writing template but The Primary Patch has a free one right here!


5. The Wits Program has some fabulous suggestions for pre and post-questions, as well as activities to go along with the book.


6. Mrs. Martens used the book as a jumping off point for an animal inquiry. Read all about it here. She goes into some depth to help her young students really understand and observe various animal characteristics.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy this book as much as I do!

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