Synopsis
Similes set off an exciting chase scene in an adventure in language arts.
Rufus the fox has an important job to do. He runs across the meadow as fast as lightning, sneaks up to the sheep Babette like a thief in the night, and roars like a lion. Babette, mad as a hornet, chases Rufus all over town. But is Rufus being chased or actually leading Babette to a very nice birthday surprise? Rufus really is crazy—crazy like a fox! Sure to make the reader as happy as a clam, this bright simile story also includes a clear explanation of similes and shows how to include similes in a story.
Children's Literature
The similes dance all over the pages of this colorfully illustrated book. While the text follows Rufus through his day with each episode corresponding to a simile, there are other appropriate similes here, there, and everywhere on the pages. On the first page we see Rufus stretched out comfortably on a bed of leaves. "In the quiet forest, Rufus is sleeping like . . . a log." On the second page, with very little change, Rufus resembles that log. Little critters appear on the pages saying things like, "He's out like a light." and "He snores like a chain saw!" When Rufus does awaken, he remembers he has something important to do and he manages to startle Babette into chasing after him. Babette is angry until they arrive at her birthday party and then she understands and says to Rufus, "To get me to the party, you acted crazy like . . . a fox!!!" And that makes sense because Rufus is a fox. An explanation of similes is given as the book opens and there are suggestions for kids to create new similes. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford