Reviews

Fox by Ron Brooks, Margaret Wild

katymul's review

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challenging dark emotional tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I'm a little afraid to give this book a lower rating, honestly. Plus, it's perfectly made. It's just that what Wild wanted to make, apparently, is a truly unhinged picturebook.

The composition of the story, the spareness of the language...not a single letter is wasted or misplaced. It's a beautifully constructed work of art. And I'm kind of terrified for a child to ever read it? Are picturebooks for just adults a thing? Then again, maybe children DO need books like this? Even "horror" themed books tend to take the Vampirina Ballerina approach to have an actually sweet story. And plenty of children don't have sweet lives. Perhaps we need less preciousness and more precision, less sweetness and more gut-punches like Fox.

Kudos to the illustrator for capturing that energy in the frenzied illustrations, which enhance the already overly potent story and the despair, pain, and awe it inspires. 

This book will haunt you.

stories's review

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inspiring reflective

5.0

Fantastic, rich picture book. For upper primary+ 

Gorgeous language, fun typesetting, stunning illustrations. 

Friendship, resilience, kindness. 

Dog is blind in one eye and can’t see. Magpie has a burnt wing ad can’t fly. Fox shows them what it truly means to be lonely. 

elenaysuslibros's review

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adventurous dark emotional sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 En tan poquitas páginas siento que sentí tanto con esta historia. El final me dejó algo similar a la pena, menos mal no leí este libro de chica y lo leí ahora. 

alicebennett's review

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5.0

A wonderful book about resilience and the power of friendship. It would be great to explore the three characters with children and how they each overcome adversity.

madhamster's review

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5.0

A stunning piece of art and literature.

tinyelfarcanist's review

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4.0

Unnerving handwriting. Weird open ending for a children's book.

romanagiulia's review

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3.0

Great story and wonderfully illustrated. Can be used for read-aloud with 3, 4, 5th graders.

ellielabbett's review

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5.0

‘Fox’ is quite an unsettling and unnerving read about the undoing of a companionship between a magpie and a dog, who join together to overcome their misfortunes. This is quite a cold story, which may be why I enjoyed it - I think it is necessary for children to be exposed to something outside of the realms of comfort. It is certainly not a straight forward story, with very complex characterisation which I think would be important to dissect with children, looking at motives and reasoning behind actions.
A very intriguing presentation of a picture book, with the illustrations having an almost parched, aging feel, which to me makes the story appear timeless and one that had maybe been passed down through families.
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