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Crazy Like a Fox: A Simile Story
Rufus the fox is up to something-- find out why he's acting so crazy in this clever simile story.
All night, he's been sleeping like a log. When the sun rises, he feels as fresh as a daisy. In a story told entirely with similes, Rufus sneaks up and startles his friend Babette, and leads her on a wild chase through the woods.
Perfect for teaching figurative language, this brightly-illustrated picture book includes the definition of a simile, as well as a brief introduction to idioms and cliches-- and examples on every page of different sayings and similes.
Loreen Leedy's zany illustrations depic the figurative sayings in literal ways-- a wooden fox sleeping like a log, a yellow and black striped sheep who's as mad as a hornet-- to bring home the meanings of the expressions.
Perfect for kids studying creative writing, or English language learners who may not be familiar with common but less literal sayings, Crazy Like a Fox will make readers happy as a clam-- and help them incorporate similes into their own writing.
All night, he's been sleeping like a log. When the sun rises, he feels as fresh as a daisy. In a story told entirely with similes, Rufus sneaks up and startles his friend Babette, and leads her on a wild chase through the woods.
Perfect for teaching figurative language, this brightly-illustrated picture book includes the definition of a simile, as well as a brief introduction to idioms and cliches-- and examples on every page of different sayings and similes.
Loreen Leedy's zany illustrations depic the figurative sayings in literal ways-- a wooden fox sleeping like a log, a yellow and black striped sheep who's as mad as a hornet-- to bring home the meanings of the expressions.
Perfect for kids studying creative writing, or English language learners who may not be familiar with common but less literal sayings, Crazy Like a Fox will make readers happy as a clam-- and help them incorporate similes into their own writing.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 15, 2008
22 people are currently reading
637 people want to read
About the author
Loreen Leedy
64 books39 followersLoreen Leedy is the author and illustrator of over 40 picture books with math, science, language arts, and other curriculum content. Her books showcase information in a kid-friendly format, often with characters and entertaining stories.
Honors and awards for her books include: ALA Notable Book, Science Books and Films finalist, Reading Rainbow feature book, Chicago Library Best of the Best, many Scholastic Book Fair selections, Florida Book Award, Parent's Choice Award, many Junior Library Guild selections, and Outstanding Science Trade Book by the National Science Teachers Association.
Loreen has spoken at hundreds of schools and many conferences such as the International Reading Association, the American Library Association, the Mazza Summer Conference, and the UVU Engaged Reading Forum.
She lives in central Florida with her husband Andy, who is a scientist and a cat named Knickers who has an easily triggered purrometer. They love to travel, read, and watch movies.
Honors and awards for her books include: ALA Notable Book, Science Books and Films finalist, Reading Rainbow feature book, Chicago Library Best of the Best, many Scholastic Book Fair selections, Florida Book Award, Parent's Choice Award, many Junior Library Guild selections, and Outstanding Science Trade Book by the National Science Teachers Association.
Loreen has spoken at hundreds of schools and many conferences such as the International Reading Association, the American Library Association, the Mazza Summer Conference, and the UVU Engaged Reading Forum.
She lives in central Florida with her husband Andy, who is a scientist and a cat named Knickers who has an easily triggered purrometer. They love to travel, read, and watch movies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
September 11, 2017
Good way to teach kids what simile means and how to use it. Illustrations are fun also
November 16, 2013
3 1/2 for me. Not quite a 4 for me even though I love Loreen Leedy and I love the illustrations in this book It was not a smooth read.
Here is why I couldn't give it a 4...The similes are great, but you see "In the quiet forest, Rufus is sleeping...." and to complete the simile you have to turn the page...which would normally be fine, but in tiny print on the same page as "In the quiet...." It has "He's out like a light" "He's as still as a stone" and He's as snug as a bug in a rug" Which are great similes but distraction you from getting to the next page to complete the original simile. Still a really fun book well done, but I couldn't rave about it!!
Here is why I couldn't give it a 4...The similes are great, but you see "In the quiet forest, Rufus is sleeping...." and to complete the simile you have to turn the page...which would normally be fine, but in tiny print on the same page as "In the quiet...." It has "He's out like a light" "He's as still as a stone" and He's as snug as a bug in a rug" Which are great similes but distraction you from getting to the next page to complete the original simile. Still a really fun book well done, but I couldn't rave about it!!
March 10, 2018
This is a fine book for simile introduction. The illustrations are cute and the main story is cute. The reason for the 2 stars is that it was a bit chaotic. The main story is an adorable version of a simile story and could easily be translated to a great lesson where kids can write their own.
Loreen Leedy (who I normally love) should've stopped there. The problem was on each page there were 2-5 other similes that related to the picture, but not the main story. If you read them you lose track of the main story. You really need to read the main story and then go back and read the other similes.
Loreen Leedy (who I normally love) should've stopped there. The problem was on each page there were 2-5 other similes that related to the picture, but not the main story. If you read them you lose track of the main story. You really need to read the main story and then go back and read the other similes.
March 16, 2015
I loved this book! Such a great book for teaching kids about similes. You pull so many different extension activities from this book. It has a cute storyline that is just basically being told through similes. Love it!
July 16, 2024
A rather cluttered and distracting introduction to similes. The author-illustrator tells the story of a fox, Rufus, annoying his sheep friend, Babette, to get her to chase him to the location of her surprise birthday party.
I was under the impression that the author wanted children to be aware of common similes so that they didn’t overuse them in their own writing. However, a number of the supposedly common similes used in the narrative were unfamiliar to me. Furthermore, there are too many extraneous additional similes on each page—remarks made by onlooking animals as they watch Rufus and Babette. These pull the reader away from the actual story.
Less would have been more. I did not like this book and would not use it in the classroom.
I was under the impression that the author wanted children to be aware of common similes so that they didn’t overuse them in their own writing. However, a number of the supposedly common similes used in the narrative were unfamiliar to me. Furthermore, there are too many extraneous additional similes on each page—remarks made by onlooking animals as they watch Rufus and Babette. These pull the reader away from the actual story.
Less would have been more. I did not like this book and would not use it in the classroom.
November 15, 2017
Used for a simile lesson
January 8, 2018
Humorous story employing dozens of similes. Good for teaching this figure of speech, but a legitimate story that can also stand on its own. Recommended for 1st-3rd grades.
April 25, 2019
My son liked this book a lot. He thought it was clever.
October 8, 2018
Such a fun way to teach kids about using similes. I think halfway through the book kids could catch on and eventually start shouting out what word comes next!
February 26, 2019
Perfect book when you are talking or teaching about similes. I like how each character on each page gives another simile addition.
August 18, 2019
Too many similes. Too many cliches.
December 23, 2019
Great intro to similes!
February 25, 2020
Very nice book on figurative language. Gives students an idea of what it is. Nice illustrations.
September 18, 2021
nice read
October 25, 2012
Crazy Like a Fox: A Simile Story follows Rufus the fox and Babette the sheep on their adventure through forests, across rivers, and into dark caves. All through their trip of Rufus running from Babette, observers describe what they see by using similes. With every turn of the page Babetter gets closer to catching Rufus and the similes continue. Will Babette ever catch Rufus? Why is he running away from her? Find out what happens and learn new examples of similes on every page!
This book is a creative way to help children understand what can be a sometimes confusing concept of English. At the beginning of the book, there is an explanation of similes and some examples of the different kinds. The main story and action is told in simile language and also on every page there are two or three additional similes said by minor characters as they watch what is happening. At the end of the story there is a short assignment for readers, challenging them to write their own simile story. It gives prompts for practicing similes as well. Kids in 2nd through probably about 4th grade could benefit from this book and its fun language and colorful, full-page illustrations.
Leedy, L. (2009). Crazy Like a Fox: A Simile Story Holiday House
This book is a creative way to help children understand what can be a sometimes confusing concept of English. At the beginning of the book, there is an explanation of similes and some examples of the different kinds. The main story and action is told in simile language and also on every page there are two or three additional similes said by minor characters as they watch what is happening. At the end of the story there is a short assignment for readers, challenging them to write their own simile story. It gives prompts for practicing similes as well. Kids in 2nd through probably about 4th grade could benefit from this book and its fun language and colorful, full-page illustrations.
Leedy, L. (2009). Crazy Like a Fox: A Simile Story Holiday House
November 13, 2012
1. Rating: 4
2. A book review from School Library Journal says, "Rufus, a spunky fox in suspenders, rudely startles his friend Babette, a lamb, by roaring "like…a lion." She gets "mad…as a hornet" and chases him, and he eventually leads her to her surprise birthday party. Leedy relates this narrative entirely through similes. Her illustrations emphasize the comparisons as each protagonist is amusingly transformed from one object into another. Children may participate by guessing the upcoming change at each page turn. Apart from the main narrative, animal spectators offer up alternative descriptions of events as they unfold. Leedy includes an explanation of this figure of speech and an invitation for readers to create their own similes. Her vivid illustrations, filled with movement and wide-eyed creatures, will entertain readers."
3. This is a story full of similes that would be great for an interactive read aloud. The students could guess what they think is coming next; for example, “In the quiet forest, Rufus is sleeping like…” (And on the next page, it says “…a log.”) Another phrase says, “Rufus climbs into a cave that’s as dark as…” and they could guess things that are dark. Perfect for first and second grade.
2. A book review from School Library Journal says, "Rufus, a spunky fox in suspenders, rudely startles his friend Babette, a lamb, by roaring "like…a lion." She gets "mad…as a hornet" and chases him, and he eventually leads her to her surprise birthday party. Leedy relates this narrative entirely through similes. Her illustrations emphasize the comparisons as each protagonist is amusingly transformed from one object into another. Children may participate by guessing the upcoming change at each page turn. Apart from the main narrative, animal spectators offer up alternative descriptions of events as they unfold. Leedy includes an explanation of this figure of speech and an invitation for readers to create their own similes. Her vivid illustrations, filled with movement and wide-eyed creatures, will entertain readers."
3. This is a story full of similes that would be great for an interactive read aloud. The students could guess what they think is coming next; for example, “In the quiet forest, Rufus is sleeping like…” (And on the next page, it says “…a log.”) Another phrase says, “Rufus climbs into a cave that’s as dark as…” and they could guess things that are dark. Perfect for first and second grade.
March 14, 2012
There isn't much of a plot in this book. So it's not really a good book to pick up if you are looking for a strong story. In spite of that, I loved it anyway because of the great illustrations and common expressions that also happen to be similes. There are some invented similes (or atleast I'm not familiar with them) like "He runs like a deer" or "quick as a rocket," but most of the similes in this book are popular ones. My personal favorites were
"mean as a snake"
"quiet as a mouse"
"cool as a cucumber"
"pretty as a picture"
"run like the wind"
"looks like a million bucks"
But there were tons of wonderful ones in this book and did I say fabulous illustrations that clearly show the meaning of the text?! Great book for ELLs, but I wouldn't read it aloud all at once. I think that could be a little overwhelming. Maybe begin with a day on sleep expressions and do the first two pages which are fantastic with "snug as a bug" and "out like a light" and "sleeping like a log." Then, move on from there by chunking the expressions.
"mean as a snake"
"quiet as a mouse"
"cool as a cucumber"
"pretty as a picture"
"run like the wind"
"looks like a million bucks"
But there were tons of wonderful ones in this book and did I say fabulous illustrations that clearly show the meaning of the text?! Great book for ELLs, but I wouldn't read it aloud all at once. I think that could be a little overwhelming. Maybe begin with a day on sleep expressions and do the first two pages which are fantastic with "snug as a bug" and "out like a light" and "sleeping like a log." Then, move on from there by chunking the expressions.
December 6, 2012
What is a simile? A simile is a figure of speech where two things are used to compare different things. This book about Rufus the Fox is written using all similes. Rufus is acting silly as a goose in this book. He starts off sleeping like a log then wakes felling fresh as a daisy! Off he goes sneaking up on Babette the sheep. He gives a lion’s RROARRRR!!! Babette is so scared she shakes like a leaf. Babette chases Rufus through the river that’s cold as ice and into a cave as dark as night. Suddenly, a light comes on and “SURPRISE!!!” its Babette’s Birthday!!! It’s noisy as a herd of elephants with all the shouting.Of course, Babette now understands why Rufus was acting “Crazy like a Fox!” He was only trying to get her to the birthday party!
August 11, 2011
Age:
Grades 3-5
Genre:
fiction
Diversity:
Poetry; friendship
Illustrations:
The illustrations are created with mixed media.
Personal response:
The entire book is told in similes. The story is told in similes and each page includes additional similes pertaining to the action on the page. The story is cute and does a great job presenting a variety of similes. The illustrations are cute as well.
Curricular or programming connections:
This book would be great for languages arts lesson on similes.
Grades 3-5
Genre:
fiction
Diversity:
Poetry; friendship
Illustrations:
The illustrations are created with mixed media.
Personal response:
The entire book is told in similes. The story is told in similes and each page includes additional similes pertaining to the action on the page. The story is cute and does a great job presenting a variety of similes. The illustrations are cute as well.
Curricular or programming connections:
This book would be great for languages arts lesson on similes.
January 21, 2012
The word simile took me back to my childhood days of learning how to use and identify these kind of sentences. The teacher kept us on this topic for so long trying to get us to "get it". I like this book because it makes it simple to understand. I could teach simile from this book. I am not sure of the age because young children may not understand because of the lack of life experiences. I would guess third grade and up. To answer the as or like the children can use their five senses to figure it out. Commas, language play,and vocabulary can be taught from this book.
April 14, 2013
Crazy Like a Fox uses Rufus the fox to demonstrate the use of similes by comparing him and his activities to other things. The illustrations show the literal phrasing of the simile but do not explain what it means. In a classroom this book would be useful to use for discussing the use of similes in stories. I would have a list of similes for students to choose from and draw a picture to illustrate it and describe what it means. I would then combine their pages to create a class book or small book for each of them to refer to.
July 5, 2016
Crazy Like a Fox is a great book to use to teach kids about similes. It is a cute and funny book that has great comparisons. In my experience, I have seen kids write similes that truly make no sense. They don't really understand how to write a meaningful comparison. I think this book would be a great way to teach them how to do that! The book is a bit primary, but if you focus on the simile aspect, it could be used in the intermediate grades. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. They are bright and quite geometric in nature. I rather enjoyed reading this book!
March 29, 2010
This is a very good book for simile awareness for children.
I gave it 3 out of 5 stars because I think it is a little too packed with similes. The storyline used similes very well, but each page has 2-3 additional similes.
Also, the end of the story is a little bit confusing.
I would read this book to a class, bu I would not read the additional side similes. Otherwise, it's a smart book with very well correlating text to illustrations.
I gave it 3 out of 5 stars because I think it is a little too packed with similes. The storyline used similes very well, but each page has 2-3 additional similes.
Also, the end of the story is a little bit confusing.
I would read this book to a class, bu I would not read the additional side similes. Otherwise, it's a smart book with very well correlating text to illustrations.
September 17, 2010
"Crazy Like a Fox" by Loreen Leedy was an incredible book for learning similes for children. It had all the basic similes that people say everyday that children can learn and use correctly in their lives. It was not just a story about similes it also had a good plot to it as well and was very fun and enjoyable. This is a great book to ask children "What do you think that means?" and have them guess.
Very fun!
Very fun!
April 6, 2011
This is a wonderful book with great illustrations to go along with the text. The book begins with what a simile is, and then runs away with different animals describing a fox with similes as he goes though his day. The text offers many different similes for each actions the fox is doing. A great way to activate students to write their own simile story. The silliness of the text will sure get students laughing and brains churning with similes of their own!
March 12, 2015
This book was really cute and can help a lot in the classroom! I think that it could be fun to have my future students come up with their own similes based of of an animal that we choose in class and then make our own story based of the similes that the students create. We could read this book before we start our own simile project as well. I really like this book not only because it was cute but it gave me a lot of different teaching ideas.
June 26, 2015
This is a very unique picture book. The artwork is done in a very blocky style. It is a story completely told with similes. It tells of a fox and how the fox annoys his friend and how it was to get the fox's friend to a party. It would be a good story to introduce similes but overall I feel it was very choppy. If I were to use it I would afterwords have my students make a story using just similes.
November 30, 2016
For my concept book, I read Crazy like a Fox: A Simile Story by Loreen Leedy. This book tells what a simile is and tells a story using similes on every page. This book is colorful and descriptive with its usage of similes. This book would make a great introduction to a descriptive writing activity in which students write their own short stories using similes. There is no concerning content in this book. This book would be ideal for 2nd and 3rd graders.
October 8, 2008
There are a fair amount of picture books out there that can help teachers and parents instruct children in the English language. This book does that on the topic of similes. However, unlike a lot of those other books, this one does so with humor AND while actually telling a story. So, the plot actually moves forward and the book doesn't read like just a bunch of English grammar examples!
March 16, 2010
Crazy similies for a crazy fox. Essentially, this book is especially helpful in prompting students to make predictions and to learn about the different characteristics of various types of animals. The visual imagery of the animals and the large texts of the animal the reader predicts from the previous page also makes this a kid-friendly book and ideal for read-alouds.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews