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Good Question: A Tale Told Backwards

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A very hungry fox in search of food stumbles into one wrong fairytale after another trying to flee some very high-profile fairytale characters, eventually giving Henny Penny the fright of her life.

Have you ever wondered why Henny Penny thought the sky was falling? Well, here’s a story that might just give you the answer. Told from Fox’s point of view this magical tale links fairy story and nursery rhyme characters in a delightful, funny and quirky way. All Fox wants is a tasty meal to fill his hungry belly. But he keeps wandering into the WRONG stories. No dinner for him – just more trouble! Will Fox ever find the RIGHT story?

~ A whimsical tale from the award-winning creators of Beware the Deep Dark Forest for humour and adventure-loving readers aged 3 to 6 and beyond!
~ Luminous collage illustrations capture he sassiness, the greed and the sheer persistence of Fox.
~ The author is a former primary school teacher with a special interest in literacy education and children’s literature.

Hardcover

First published May 1, 2020

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27 people want to read

About the author

Sue Whiting

53 books44 followers
A former primary school teacher with a special interest in literacy education and children’s literature, Sue Whiting has worked in the publishing industry for almost twenty years, both as an author and editor of books for children and young adults.

Sue has written numerous books in a variety of genres: fiction and nonfiction, picture books through to YA, and is published in Australia and internationally. Her middle grade novel Get a Grip, Cooper Jones and nonfiction picture book, Platypus were both named CBCA Notable Books, and her picture book, A Swim in the Sea, illustrated by Meredith Thomas, was the Speech Pathologists’ 2014 Book of the Year. Her latest books include, Missing a mystery/suspense novel for readers aged 10+ and the picture book Beware the Deep Dark Forest, illustrated by Annie White.

Sue was Publishing Manager and Senior Commissioning Editor at Walker Books Australia for ten years, before leaving in 2016 to concentrate on her writing and to work from home as a publishing consultant, freelance editor, writing coach and mentor.

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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Profile Image for Shane.
1,340 reviews20 followers
December 21, 2021
A clever picture book that takes us on a journey through various fairy tales and then revealing a possible explanation for another. My little readers (K-2) loved identifying scenes from the various tales, but unfortunately weren't familiar with the final fairy tale and so didn't understand the finish of the book. I enjoyed it though!

The fast paced writing complements the pictures and encourages a dynamic read aloud style.
Profile Image for Jennie.
1,317 reviews
November 10, 2020
Have you ever wondered why Henny Penny thought the sky was falling? This is a wonderful twisted tale that takes the reader in and out of a series of fairytales as the wily and hungry fox, stuck up a tree, tries to explain how he got there through a series of questions from the reader.

A perfect example of a post modern technique that bring the reader into the story and draws on and reinterprets familiar fairytales giving them alternative outcomes. Endpapers are great - the front one maps the journey of the fox from one tale to the next, and the closing spread presents a continuation that could lead to a recreation of the Henny Penny.

Great stuff with heaps of potential for many age groups.
Profile Image for idreamofallthebooks.
343 reviews4 followers
May 1, 2020
What an incredibly fun and entertaining read!

This particular fractured fairy tale is told from the perspective of a starving little fox who finds himself caught up in a series of different stories. As he retells his story of how he ends up in this muddle, we are introduced to some favourite fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters. His particularly amusing tone of voice will lend itself towards a story that needs to be read out loud.

If you are after a story to read to your little ones that encourages a dramatic and silly performance, then this is the picture book for you and your family!

Thank you @walkerbooksaus for gifting me a copy to read and review!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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