About This Book
John Burningham's 'Tug-of-war' is a delightful fable about a small Hare who is bullied by the much larger Hippopotamus and Elephant. Tired of their taunts, Hare proposes a tug-of-war, secretly challenging each giant animal individually. His ingenious plan allows him to win, teaching the bullies a lesson about underestimating others and highlighting the power of wit over physical strength. This book is perfect for children aged 4-8, offering a gentle yet impactful way to discuss bullying, cleverness, and self-esteem.
Hippopotamus and Elephant bully Hare for being small in size and possessing a twitchy nose, until Hare demonstrates his wit when he challenges the large animals to a tug-of-war competition and claims he can win.
bullying
Discussion Prompts
1
Why do you think Hippopotamus and Elephant teased Hare?
2
What did Hare do that was so clever? How did he use his brain instead of just his muscles?
3
Have you ever felt like someone was underestimating you because of your size or age?
4
What are some ways we can stand up for ourselves or others when someone is being unkind?
5
What does this story teach us about being smart versus being strong?
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