Red Fox

In search of food to feed his mate, Red Fox encounters angry guard dogs in a barnyard, a swift rabbit, and other things, and then returns home to discover that his mate, Rose, has given birth to a litter of pups

PreSchool-Grade 2-- Red Fox goes out in search of food for himself and his mate, Rose, but he finds more obstacles than edibles. Desperate and hungry, he ventures into the city where he finds his feast--a discarded bag with a delicious smell. Red Fox surprises Rose with the all-American meal--hamburgers and french fries. She has an even bigger surprise for him--five newborn cubs. Rather than adding punch, the unexpected conclusion seems tacked-on and nonsensical, as does the discovery of the burgers in a bag. The pedestrian text does little to enliven what could have been an entertaining book. As is, it's hard to believe children will find much of interest in this awkwardly told tale. The bold, stylized watercolors make excellent use of color and contrast to create a sense of drama, but visual aesthetics can't excuse the lack of literary substance. --Heide Piehler, Shorewood Public Library, WI
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Red Fox goes on the prowl for food for himself and Rose, his mate back in the den. This highly stylized creature tries the barnyard and the pond, but one is too fiercely guarded and the other full of unappetizing tadpoles and an eel. After losing track of a tasty-looking rabbit when a train appears, Red Fox heads for the city, where he spots a woman throwing a bag into the trash. "Racing off with the bag in his mouth," Red Fox hurries home, where a double surprise awaits him--five new cubs are cuddled up next to Rose, and the bag contains a hearty dinner of burgers and fries. In Giffard's first picture book, her fox is a spunky character, and her energetic, batik-like illustrations possess diversity and engaging details. The writing, however, is somewhat flat--it lacks suspense, and the reader feels little sympathy for the new papa. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

After his traditional prey eludes him one luckless night, Red Fox goes into town and finds some burgers and fries in a garbage can--just the thing to celebrate the cubs his mate has produced in his absence. Giffard's story is unexceptional, but her art--bold areas of color outlined, batik-like, in white--is striking and well integrated with the text. This is her first book: a promising debut. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.