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The Cunning Little Vixen
Juxtaposing a world of not-so-innocent animals and a world of humans, scarcely more intelligent or less brutal, this first translation of the Czech novel recounts the story of the forester Bartos and the vixen Sharp-Ears
185 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1920
About the author
Maurice Sendak
401 books2,395 followersMaurice Sendak was a visionary American illustrator and writer best known for transforming the landscape of children's literature through his emotionally resonant stories and distinctive artistic style. He gained international acclaim with Where the Wild Things Are, a groundbreaking picture book that captured the emotional intensity of childhood through its honest portrayal of anger, imagination, and longing. Widely recognized for his ability to blend the whimsical with the profound, Sendak created works that resonated with both children and adults, challenging conventional notions of what children's books could be.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Sendak was a sickly child who spent much of his early life indoors, nurturing a love for books, drawing, and storytelling. The son of Polish-Jewish immigrants, he was deeply affected by the losses of the Holocaust, which shaped the darker emotional undercurrents in his work. His art was influenced by a range of sources, from comic strips and Mickey Mouse to Mozart, Blake, and German Romanticism. Though he began his career illustrating other writers’ books, he soon transitioned to authoring his own, beginning with Kenny’s Window and then The Sign on Rosie’s Door.
It was Where the Wild Things Are, published in 1963, that solidified Sendak’s reputation as a master of children’s literature. The book, which won the Caldecott Medal, was initially controversial due to its depiction of unruly behavior and ambiguous emotional tone. However, it was later recognized as a revolutionary work that respected children’s inner lives and psychological complexity. This theme continued in his later works, including In the Night Kitchen and Outside Over There, which formed a loose trilogy exploring the emotional and imaginative experiences of childhood. These books, celebrated for their dreamlike narratives and lush illustrations, often tackled fears, fantasies, and the challenges of growing up.
Throughout his career, Sendak illustrated more than a hundred books, working with authors such as Ruth Krauss and Else Holmelund Minarik. His visual style—characterized by its intricate detail, dynamic line work, and expressive characters—evolved over the decades, but always retained an unmistakable emotional intensity. He also designed sets and costumes for operas and ballets, bringing his imaginative worlds to the stage. Notably, he created productions for works by Mozart and Prokofiev, combining his love of classical music with theatrical design.
Sendak was known for his sharp wit, fierce independence, and deep empathy for children. He openly criticized the sanitized and moralistic tone of much of children's publishing, insisting instead that young readers deserved stories that acknowledged their full emotional range, including fear, grief, anger, and wonder. He was also an openly gay man in a long-term relationship, though he only spoke publicly about his sexuality later in life.
Later in his career, Sendak continued to produce new work, collaborate with artists and institutions, and advocate for intellectual freedom. His final books, including Bumble-Ardy and My Brother’s Book, reflected both a return to his childhood memories and a meditation on aging, love, and mortality. Though his stories often ventured into the dark or surreal, they remained rooted in a deep respect for the emotional reality of children and a belief in the power of imagination to confront life's challenges.
Maurice Sendak’s legacy endures in the countless writers and illustrators he inspired, the cultural impact of his stories, and the enduring affection readers of all ages hold for his wild things, mischievous children, and tender monsters. Through his work, he redefined what children’s literature could be: rich, honest, haunting, and, above all, deeply human.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Sendak was a sickly child who spent much of his early life indoors, nurturing a love for books, drawing, and storytelling. The son of Polish-Jewish immigrants, he was deeply affected by the losses of the Holocaust, which shaped the darker emotional undercurrents in his work. His art was influenced by a range of sources, from comic strips and Mickey Mouse to Mozart, Blake, and German Romanticism. Though he began his career illustrating other writers’ books, he soon transitioned to authoring his own, beginning with Kenny’s Window and then The Sign on Rosie’s Door.
It was Where the Wild Things Are, published in 1963, that solidified Sendak’s reputation as a master of children’s literature. The book, which won the Caldecott Medal, was initially controversial due to its depiction of unruly behavior and ambiguous emotional tone. However, it was later recognized as a revolutionary work that respected children’s inner lives and psychological complexity. This theme continued in his later works, including In the Night Kitchen and Outside Over There, which formed a loose trilogy exploring the emotional and imaginative experiences of childhood. These books, celebrated for their dreamlike narratives and lush illustrations, often tackled fears, fantasies, and the challenges of growing up.
Throughout his career, Sendak illustrated more than a hundred books, working with authors such as Ruth Krauss and Else Holmelund Minarik. His visual style—characterized by its intricate detail, dynamic line work, and expressive characters—evolved over the decades, but always retained an unmistakable emotional intensity. He also designed sets and costumes for operas and ballets, bringing his imaginative worlds to the stage. Notably, he created productions for works by Mozart and Prokofiev, combining his love of classical music with theatrical design.
Sendak was known for his sharp wit, fierce independence, and deep empathy for children. He openly criticized the sanitized and moralistic tone of much of children's publishing, insisting instead that young readers deserved stories that acknowledged their full emotional range, including fear, grief, anger, and wonder. He was also an openly gay man in a long-term relationship, though he only spoke publicly about his sexuality later in life.
Later in his career, Sendak continued to produce new work, collaborate with artists and institutions, and advocate for intellectual freedom. His final books, including Bumble-Ardy and My Brother’s Book, reflected both a return to his childhood memories and a meditation on aging, love, and mortality. Though his stories often ventured into the dark or surreal, they remained rooted in a deep respect for the emotional reality of children and a belief in the power of imagination to confront life's challenges.
Maurice Sendak’s legacy endures in the countless writers and illustrators he inspired, the cultural impact of his stories, and the enduring affection readers of all ages hold for his wild things, mischievous children, and tender monsters. Through his work, he redefined what children’s literature could be: rich, honest, haunting, and, above all, deeply human.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 27, 2022
Rudolf Těsnohlídek wrote Vixen Sharp-Ears as a comic serial for Czech newspapers in 1920. It was so popular, it became an opera, complete with its own memorial statue. In 1985, the first English translation was produced in book form, with Maurice Sendak providing the illustrations from his work in designing the 1981 New York City Opera version of the opera. Because it has Sendak’s illustrations, most readers will assume it is a children’s book. It is, in one way. But the original comic was not meant as a rosy child’s view of life, which means this can be reading for adults, too. Yes, especially adults, who can understand the harshness of Rudolf Těsnohlídek’s message. Life is brutal, a world of not-so-innocent animals, living out brief lives in brutal harmony, with another world of longer-lived humans, who are no less brutal, scarcely more intelligent, and a good deal less happy.
We first see the Cunning Little Vixen as little Sharp-Ears, a spoiled fox pup, who is too busy playing with a frog to notice the big human in the bushes. She is captured and brought to the human’s home where she becomes a toy for his children. Her new home also includes Catcher, the forester’s dog, who provides companionship and advice the little fox does not heed. In time, she ends up scratching the leg of one of the children resulting in her being tied up. To the Vixen’s great delight, it allows her an opportunity to learn about the egotistical rooster and his harem of hens. By the time the forester’s wife discovers the fox has eaten all but one hen, the Vixen makes her way back to the forest and to her freedom.
There is more to the adventure, but it’s really about the governed and those who govern and how freedom is not as easy as it appears to be. The last part of the book describes the life of Rudolf Těsnohlídek and how he quickly declined after the death of his wife. He was brought to trial twice for killing her, even though he said she shot herself as she was in the final ravages of tuberculosis. There is also the detailing of the creation of the opera and its American premiere. So, not the usual children’s book but a worthy one in any case.
Book Season = Summer (sly adventures)
We first see the Cunning Little Vixen as little Sharp-Ears, a spoiled fox pup, who is too busy playing with a frog to notice the big human in the bushes. She is captured and brought to the human’s home where she becomes a toy for his children. Her new home also includes Catcher, the forester’s dog, who provides companionship and advice the little fox does not heed. In time, she ends up scratching the leg of one of the children resulting in her being tied up. To the Vixen’s great delight, it allows her an opportunity to learn about the egotistical rooster and his harem of hens. By the time the forester’s wife discovers the fox has eaten all but one hen, the Vixen makes her way back to the forest and to her freedom.
There is more to the adventure, but it’s really about the governed and those who govern and how freedom is not as easy as it appears to be. The last part of the book describes the life of Rudolf Těsnohlídek and how he quickly declined after the death of his wife. He was brought to trial twice for killing her, even though he said she shot herself as she was in the final ravages of tuberculosis. There is also the detailing of the creation of the opera and its American premiere. So, not the usual children’s book but a worthy one in any case.
Book Season = Summer (sly adventures)
August 31, 2024
This is not a children’s book! I think people are disappointed because of the whimsical illustrations by the Maurice Sendak, one of the finest illustrators of our time. He is often associated with children’s books such as “where the wild things are” but he himself had disdain for such categorisations such as children’s book vs adult book. He felt that children have a great capacity to comprehend the horror of life, the darkness and the cruelty they face annd perpetuate which can be seen underscoring life in the schoolyard.
Coming back to the little vixen, she lives in a cruel and harsh world, one where beatings, harsh words and even death are commonplace. Yet it is natural, a cycle that repeats, links into one another and perpetuates life as surely as the seasons turn. Those like me who are used to western sensibilities might find certain parts odd, if not distasteful and but I recommend putting aside those preconceived notions and giving in to the weirdness. One of the wonderful things I noticed was how human like the animals are and how animal like we humans are. It’s almost like we’re not as different as we’d like to believe.
A note on the author. This was the most miserable guy ever, I mean this guy was depressed and depressing. He wrote a weekly humour column for the local Czech newspaper, go figure ,and this story came to be serialised there. To me it seems more fable like than fairy tale like. But really it is quite unique and stands on its own. It was also a huge success, beloved by the people and was also turned into an opera(which thankfully left out the manure pelting scene). The pictures are absolutely marvellous and the story adventurous and full of heart.
Coming back to the little vixen, she lives in a cruel and harsh world, one where beatings, harsh words and even death are commonplace. Yet it is natural, a cycle that repeats, links into one another and perpetuates life as surely as the seasons turn. Those like me who are used to western sensibilities might find certain parts odd, if not distasteful and but I recommend putting aside those preconceived notions and giving in to the weirdness. One of the wonderful things I noticed was how human like the animals are and how animal like we humans are. It’s almost like we’re not as different as we’d like to believe.
A note on the author. This was the most miserable guy ever, I mean this guy was depressed and depressing. He wrote a weekly humour column for the local Czech newspaper, go figure ,and this story came to be serialised there. To me it seems more fable like than fairy tale like. But really it is quite unique and stands on its own. It was also a huge success, beloved by the people and was also turned into an opera(which thankfully left out the manure pelting scene). The pictures are absolutely marvellous and the story adventurous and full of heart.
May 17, 2014
As with many translated books that are thoroughly enjoyed in their original language, they tend to fall short after translation. The afterword for "The Cunning Little Vixen" puts it best, saying that many of the colloquial Czech phrases and words don't translate well into English (if at all). When I was reading this book it didn't feel "naturally" English which made it difficult for me to become engrossed in.
When I bought this book (at the U of T annual book sale) I expected it to be like a Grimm fairy tale and I originally thought it was written around the same time. It turns out that it is a more recent publication from the early 1900s. I am pleased that it didn't turn out to be a traditional fairy tale type story because it was nice to read something a bit more modern.
I wouldn't recommend this book as a read aloud story for children under 10 even though the book's "chapter" length and pictures suggest otherwise. The problem is the book has scenes of excessive drunkenness with the forester, priest and school teacher. The drunkenness isn't too bad but I really didn't like the liberal use of the word "slut" by the forester to address Sharp-Ears.
When I bought this book (at the U of T annual book sale) I expected it to be like a Grimm fairy tale and I originally thought it was written around the same time. It turns out that it is a more recent publication from the early 1900s. I am pleased that it didn't turn out to be a traditional fairy tale type story because it was nice to read something a bit more modern.
I wouldn't recommend this book as a read aloud story for children under 10 even though the book's "chapter" length and pictures suggest otherwise. The problem is the book has scenes of excessive drunkenness with the forester, priest and school teacher. The drunkenness isn't too bad but I really didn't like the liberal use of the word "slut" by the forester to address Sharp-Ears.
May 11, 2020
What I liked about this odd story was that Sharp-Ears (the vixen) did find love with Golden-Stripe and had a happy ending. I also loved the illustrations by Maurice Sendak; both the realistic fox ones as well as the quirky little insect/bird/animal people.
What disturbed me about it were the various descriptions of cruelty carried out by the Forester towards not only Sharp-Ears but also Catcher his dog. Oh and the word sl*t appeared a few times which to me was just unnecessary. I wonder if that word somehow got lost in translation, at least I hope it did.
It would have been a two star from me if it were not for the illustrations in this edition.
What disturbed me about it were the various descriptions of cruelty carried out by the Forester towards not only Sharp-Ears but also Catcher his dog. Oh and the word sl*t appeared a few times which to me was just unnecessary. I wonder if that word somehow got lost in translation, at least I hope it did.
It would have been a two star from me if it were not for the illustrations in this edition.
September 9, 2011
I picked this book up at a used book store simply for its cover art and that I really enjoy Sendak's artwork. It is a "grimm" tale - a Czech folktake - that is right in your face about human stupidity and unkindness. It's a good read, if you like reading old tales, but unnerving. Sendak's illustrations are beautiful!
February 24, 2013
3 1/2, maybe. This is an odd little story, and the story behind it is just as interesting, though it includes more than its fair share of sadness (see the Afterword). I am trying to imagine how this story captured the hearts of the Czech people, before and after Tesnohlidek's telling. The story of The Cunning Little Vixen has made quite a journey, from real-life folktale, to newspaper serial, to opera (by Janacek), to, finally, this English translation. I recommend looking into the opera version, which was how the story became known internationally. I watched an animated version by the BBC which was quite enjoyable and true to the text of the novel.
September 30, 2015
I found it randomly at a used book store and bought it for the illustrations. Was rather shocked that a "children's book" started out with a scene of three men getting drunk and swearing at a bar. I read the whole story but it was not really as interesting as I had hoped it would be. I don't know if it's the translation or just the story itself. I didn't realize until the end that it was based on a true story, or at least folklore. Not sure I would recommend it. I think I will not be keeping this one.
December 29, 2014
Loved this book as a kid, but remembered it being really weird so revisited it. Upon a re-read, definitely not a kid's book--pitch black Czech social satire and meditation on the natural world, wonderfully written, with Maurice Sendak illustrations.
March 12, 2011
One of my favorite folk tale books, especially because it is illustrated by Maurice Sendak. Very enjoyable for adults and children.
Want to Read
August 23, 2021My first response is: cute. My second response is: clever. The translator deserves a medal and did an excellent job of translating subtle cues such as when he describes the priest’s reaction to all the drink he consumed in the bar while playing the card game with the forester and company; or the first feelings of wishing for something that Sharp Ears thought she was missing. The book was clever in its depictions of political life under current regimes along with being a great story. It does have a happy ending. However, the author leaves his reader to imagine that the antics and events will start all over again, i.e., the offspring of Sharp Ears and Golden Stripe will act the same as Sharp Ears did. I suppose that means the forester will be cleaning up a mess in the pantry yet again. I liked this book. I discovered it by accident looking for a different book with the word Vixen in its title. I haven’t seen the opera that resulted from it but I think it would be a very nice production. Being a former music major and introduced to opera I’m sure it’s just a little ribald or at least has several more meanings than the author intended: or did he? Certainly, the book has more meanings than meets the eye.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2023
This story was not at all what I expected, but that's not a bad thing! I was expecting something more akin to a children's fable. But it was actually a serialized collection of short comic slice-of-life episodes, some humorous, some darkly satirical, about the misadventures of a young fox and the forester who was trying to hunt her down. They were written in the shadow of World War 1 as a newspaper feature, and were based on personal anecdotes of an actual fox and forester who lived in the 1880s. The book includes a brief essay about the historical context of the original author, illustrator, and opera composer who each had a hand in it. This edition includes some very whimsical illustrations by Maurice Sendak.
June 1, 2020
This book has been on my bookshelf for more than 20 years sitting beside all the others by Maurice Sendak, my favorite children's book illustrator. The watercolor anthropomorphic animal drawings by Sendak some of which were done for the opera of The Cunning Litttle Vixen are delightful. The story is actually an early 20th century Czech folktale that is barely suitable as a children's story although it does have singing mosquitos, a hapless hound, tasty hens, a pig in the wrong place at the wrong time, and a mischievous female fox as the main character. The tale is the life story of sly vixen Sharp-Ears who gets captured by a forester named Bartos but is never tamed.
July 21, 2025
Tedy vždycky jsem si o sobě myslela, že jsem v nářečích docela dobrá, ale tady jsem tam půlku slov neznala a čtvrtku neznal ani google… čteno do výzvy jako kniha, podle které vzniklo hudební dílo; celkem roztomilé.
August 21, 2017
A funny, melancholy folktale, published in 1920, that is also a prescient allegory for the twentieth (and twenty-first) century. I have a first edition that I treasure!
January 6, 2024
I want what they (bystrouška a zlatohřbítek) have
July 5, 2019
Potvora to byla, ta Bystrouška, ale ve střetech s revírníkem jsem byla plně na její straně ;)
Tři kvízové otázky do Milionáře: 1. Řekněte jmého alespoň jednoho Bystrouščina sourozence. 2. Jak se jmenoval lišák, do kterého se Bystrouška zamilovala? 3. Kolik měli liščat?
Tři kvízové otázky do Milionáře: 1. Řekněte jmého alespoň jednoho Bystrouščina sourozence. 2. Jak se jmenoval lišák, do kterého se Bystrouška zamilovala? 3. Kolik měli liščat?
November 21, 2021
Pěkná pohádka, u které se dá snadno odreagovat a u něhož příběh končí šťastně. Těsnohlídek situoval děj na Blanensko, ale liška pobíhala v lesích kolem Loštic a žila na střítežské myslivně. V Lošticích je naučná stezka Lišky Bystroušky, doporučuji k navštívení.
December 18, 2016
A nice little story made beautiful by the art of Maurice Sendak.
September 6, 2017
I love Sendak's illustrations, but the story--no! Definitely not a book for the young. And definitely not a story I'd recommend to anyone.
June 12, 2025
Delightful illustrations by Maurice Sendak. This is a playful (and sometimes haunting) animal fable, but it's not a children's book.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews