Module 1 Book 1- Mem Fox book.

A. Bibliography:
Fox, Mem. 1989. Feathers and Fools. New York,NY: Harcourt,Brace & Co.Illustrated by Nicholas Wilton. ISBN:0152004734.

B.Plot Summary
Two flocks of birds focus on their differences, commit violent acts against each other and hoard weapons to defeat each other . The two flocks seemed doomed and are almost entirely wiped out by their hatred and destructive behavior until a new, kinder generation is born.

C. Critical Analysis
This allegory reads like a modern day Aesop's fable with its plea for tolerance. The horrifying and escalating battles between the proud, angry peacocks and the suspicious swans are portrayed with a palette of angry reds and muted greens that grow increasingly dark as the anger between the two groups increases. The illustrator also frames the pages with fringed black borders and dark symbols such as thorns and snakes, thus further illustrating the fear and frustration of the warring flocks. This is a somber book, with each turn of the page increasing the reader's sense of doom until the final hopeful page.
Because this tale is an allegory, there are no realistically portrayed cultural markers, but the peace advocating moral should be clear enough so that the perceptive child will understand that it is better to find common ground with the so-called enemy. The reader will clearly see that hatred and suspicion can only lead to doom and mutual destruction.




D. Review Excerpts

Publisher's Weekly:
This powerful allegory portrays the dire reactions of a "pride of magnificent peacocks" and a "flock of elegant swans" who cannot see beyond their differences

School Library Journal
This tale will be an easy step-off to discussion of the late arms-race, perhaps helping to clarify thoughts, even to changing opinions. Fox clearly implies that war is the result of stupidity and unreasonable fear.‘

E. Connections

Look for these other books that advocate peaceful coexistence and getting to know your neighbor:
Seuss,Dr. The Butter Battle Book. ISBN: 0394865804
Tres, Seymour. We Played Marbles. ISBN: ISBN: 9780531300749
King, Larry L. Because of Lozo Brown. Illustrated by Amy Schwartz. ISBN: 9780140505931