Book Of The Week: Gertrude McFuzz

Gertrude McFuzz by Dr. Seuss

Summary:

And yet another Dr. Seuss book this week!  Gertrude McFuzz.  The girl with one little feather on her tail.  Gertrude McFuzz just couldn't bear to see Lolla-Lee-Lou's beautiful tail.  Jealousy and greed get the best of her, and in the end, she realizes that she is perfect just as she is.

Vocabulary:

• droopy - to hand or sink down
• spy - to discover
• pout - to show unhappy feelings with expressions of the face
• absurd - silly; foolish
• tantrum - a noisy outburst of anger
• din - a loud, steady noise
• gnaw - to chew
• pluck - to pick
• twitch - to move or pull with a quick, sudden motion
• nibbles - to eat in small bites
• silk - a soft thread made by a certain insect
• swish - to move using a rustling sound
• squawk - to give a harsh scream

Questions:
Why was Gertrude so sad?
Why did she want more than one feather?
Why did Gertrude have a tantrum?  Have you ever had a tantrum?
Why did Gertrude eat more than one berry?
Why couldn't Gertrude fly home?
Who rescued her?

What three words can you use to describe Gertrude?

How did Gertrude's feelings about her tail change from the beginning of the story to the end of the story?
If Gertrude had been able to show Lolla-Lee-Lou her feathers, how do you think Lolla would  have responded?

What would you have done if you were Gertrude?  Would the outcome have been different?  How so?

What is the theme of this story?