What do you think?
Rate this book
Fox and Crow Are Not Friends
Fox and Crow can agree on two things: their love of cheese and loathing of each other. These cagey animals will do whatever they can to outwit their sworn enemy and claim sole possession of the prized cheese they keep finding. But they are too caught up in their plotting and planning to realize they've picked the wrong house to steal from—since the mother of the house is one fed up Mama Bear who knows exactly how to contend with freeloaders.
48 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2012
87 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Wiley
29 books380 followersMelissa Wiley is the author of The Nerviest Girl in the World, The Prairie Thief, Fox and Crow Are Not Friends, the Inch and Roly series, the Martha and Charlotte Little House books, and other books for kids. Melissa has been blogging about her family’s reading life and tidal homeschooling adventures at Here in the Bonny Glen since 2005. She is @melissawiley on Twitter and @melissawileybooks on Instagram.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 2, 2016
Loved this book it is soooooooo cute.
December 16, 2012
It's not easy to find well-done books for this reading level. I was impressed by this one.
"This clever Step into Reading book uses three tidy chapters to show Fox and Crow interacting in nonfriendly ways. At the same time, the book is a complete story with a climax and surprise reveal. The images don't just illustrate text but really do carry part of the storyline. The reveal makes sense in terms of the illustration. At the end of the story, we suddenly ask ourselves, Ah, yes. Where did the cheese come from?"
Excerpt from Original Content
And then there are the literary references!
"This clever Step into Reading book uses three tidy chapters to show Fox and Crow interacting in nonfriendly ways. At the same time, the book is a complete story with a climax and surprise reveal. The images don't just illustrate text but really do carry part of the storyline. The reveal makes sense in terms of the illustration. At the end of the story, we suddenly ask ourselves, Ah, yes. Where did the cheese come from?"
Excerpt from Original Content
And then there are the literary references!
November 3, 2015
This was cute.
Essentially, the story is a re-telling of one of Aesop's fables but it goes a bit further and adds a "sequel" full of devious revenge.
I was surprised to see that a children's book should pick up the theme of revenge or getting even, and to be honest I'm not convinced that the twist at the end offers a satisfactory resolution, but it was cute and the illustrations were rather charming.
Essentially, the story is a re-telling of one of Aesop's fables but it goes a bit further and adds a "sequel" full of devious revenge.
I was surprised to see that a children's book should pick up the theme of revenge or getting even, and to be honest I'm not convinced that the twist at the end offers a satisfactory resolution, but it was cute and the illustrations were rather charming.
June 23, 2014
Read this to my daughter while we snuggled together in bed this morning, we both loved it!
January 31, 2022
Miss 7 liked that this had Chapters. It's like three very short stories about Fox and Crow. We also liked the visual references to The Three Bears (who end up getting caught up in the squabble)!
Miss 7 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 7 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
July 23, 2020
This book was definitely cute. But, I didn't love how the Crow and fox were constantly tricking one another. And at the end, my son's immediate comment was "they are slaves!". So, for that to be that apparent to a 5 year old, you do have to wonder what lessons kids are really pulling from this story... as far as enjoyment, all eyes and ears were engaged.
August 30, 2025
So clever and fun! The first chapter is an adaptation of an Aesop fable. The third pays homage to Goldilocks' bear family. The whole counts as a 'fractured fairy tale.' And yes, crows and foxes are both very smart.
December 23, 2017
I laughed so hard while reading this to my nieces and nephews! This story is ridiculously adorable, and it maybe teaches that revenge comes with a cost.
April 7, 2019
The book was so good.
September 8, 2021
Cute.
Very cute story for the little one. Even if they aren't learning to read it makes a great bedtime story. You could even read one chapter a night.
Very cute story for the little one. Even if they aren't learning to read it makes a great bedtime story. You could even read one chapter a night.
January 20, 2016
Originally posted on You Have Your Hands Full
Last week, one of my first grade twins came home with two books. Her sweet classmate had noticed that she liked foxes, so he brought two books about foxes from his house for her to borrow.
Fox and Crow Are Not Friends is a level 3 “Step into Reading” book written by Melissa Wiley and illustrated by Sebastien Braun.
This story begins with Aesop’s fable about the fox and the crow, wherein a fox tricks a crow into giving up the cheese in her mouth by praising her beautiful singing. The vain crow cannot resist, but when she opens her mouth to sing, she loses her cheese. That is where the fable ends, but our story continues. The crow is annoyed about losing her cheese, so she seeks revenge. The fox is not happy about this development and insists, “No one outfoxes a fox!” There is something that the fox and the crow have not considered: who does all the cheese they keep taking belong to, and how will they react when they find out who has been taking the cheese?
The illustrations are a lot of fun, and add to the silly story. We really liked the warm colors of the blue sky as well as the light orange used on some pages. Braun prefers a cartoonish style, and this works well for the book. The animals show a wide range of facial expressions that correspond with their outrage or triumph, depending on who is being tricked.
This book is broken down into three chapters, but it can still be read in one sitting. My daughter who brought this book home is an advanced reader, so she had no difficulty reading this book. Her twin sister is reading at grade level (midway through first grade), and this book seemed to be exactly at her level.
I would absolutely recommend Fox and Crow Are Not Friends. This is a wonderful book for children to practice their reading skills and increase their reading stamina. The story is infused with some clever humor that made my girls laugh, and I chuckled too! This is a silly story about trickery, and while I don’t want to give away the ending, I’ll hint that trickery does not pay in the long run!
Last week, one of my first grade twins came home with two books. Her sweet classmate had noticed that she liked foxes, so he brought two books about foxes from his house for her to borrow.
Fox and Crow Are Not Friends is a level 3 “Step into Reading” book written by Melissa Wiley and illustrated by Sebastien Braun.
This story begins with Aesop’s fable about the fox and the crow, wherein a fox tricks a crow into giving up the cheese in her mouth by praising her beautiful singing. The vain crow cannot resist, but when she opens her mouth to sing, she loses her cheese. That is where the fable ends, but our story continues. The crow is annoyed about losing her cheese, so she seeks revenge. The fox is not happy about this development and insists, “No one outfoxes a fox!” There is something that the fox and the crow have not considered: who does all the cheese they keep taking belong to, and how will they react when they find out who has been taking the cheese?
The illustrations are a lot of fun, and add to the silly story. We really liked the warm colors of the blue sky as well as the light orange used on some pages. Braun prefers a cartoonish style, and this works well for the book. The animals show a wide range of facial expressions that correspond with their outrage or triumph, depending on who is being tricked.
This book is broken down into three chapters, but it can still be read in one sitting. My daughter who brought this book home is an advanced reader, so she had no difficulty reading this book. Her twin sister is reading at grade level (midway through first grade), and this book seemed to be exactly at her level.
I would absolutely recommend Fox and Crow Are Not Friends. This is a wonderful book for children to practice their reading skills and increase their reading stamina. The story is infused with some clever humor that made my girls laugh, and I chuckled too! This is a silly story about trickery, and while I don’t want to give away the ending, I’ll hint that trickery does not pay in the long run!
January 29, 2014
I remember reading this book, but I also remember that I was so tired, that I kept falling asleep. So, I think I read it on autopilot and didn't remember much about it. Our girls think it's hilarious when I read to them as I fall asleep - I do okay for a short time, but then I start jabbering nonsense. Silly me.
Luckily, I had borrowed this ebook from my local library and I was able to quickly reread it in my browser. The story came back to me, but I did not really remember the ending.
The narrative is short and entertaining and I really liked that the two foes were forced to work together in the end. I had to explain the title of the last chapter, 'Revenge Is a Dish Best Served with Cheese', since they weren't familiar with the popular adage that the title is based on.
The illustrations are colorful and cartoonish and complement the narrative. Our girls thought it was a very humorous tale and it was a fun read on my iPad.
Luckily, I had borrowed this ebook from my local library and I was able to quickly reread it in my browser. The story came back to me, but I did not really remember the ending.
The narrative is short and entertaining and I really liked that the two foes were forced to work together in the end. I had to explain the title of the last chapter, 'Revenge Is a Dish Best Served with Cheese', since they weren't familiar with the popular adage that the title is based on.
The illustrations are colorful and cartoonish and complement the narrative. Our girls thought it was a very humorous tale and it was a fun read on my iPad.
November 5, 2015
APA Citation: Wiley, M. (2012). Fox and Crow Are Not Friends. New York, New York: Random House.
Summary: This is a story about how a fox and a crow are not friends because they fight over a piece of cheese. The crow got the cheese first, but then the fox asked the crow to dance. When the crow danced, it dropped the cheese and the fox snatched it. The story goes on about different ways they each get the cheese back. Eventually the story goes on with a mama bear catching both of them and locking them in a cage. Do the fox and the crow end up getting more cheese?
Discussion Questions:
1.What caused the fox and crow to fight?
2.Justify's mama bear's actions at the end of the story.
3.What plan of revenge did you think was most exciting between the crow and fox?
4.Predict what would happen with the crow and fox if mama bear had not locked them up.
5.How could the fox or crow have made their revenge plots better?
Summary: This is a story about how a fox and a crow are not friends because they fight over a piece of cheese. The crow got the cheese first, but then the fox asked the crow to dance. When the crow danced, it dropped the cheese and the fox snatched it. The story goes on about different ways they each get the cheese back. Eventually the story goes on with a mama bear catching both of them and locking them in a cage. Do the fox and the crow end up getting more cheese?
Discussion Questions:
1.What caused the fox and crow to fight?
2.Justify's mama bear's actions at the end of the story.
3.What plan of revenge did you think was most exciting between the crow and fox?
4.Predict what would happen with the crow and fox if mama bear had not locked them up.
5.How could the fox or crow have made their revenge plots better?
March 30, 2014
Wiley, M., & Braun, S. (2012). Fox and Crow are not friends. New York: Random House.
Fox and Crow are both sneaky and conniving. They are both also hungry. Who will get the cheese? Both characters try to outsmart the other instead of sharing the cheese. Ultimately, they both lose. Read this story to find out what happens.
Because the characters are animals, this story will appeal to young children ages 4-7. For the younger children, it is a great read aloud. For those who are just beginning to read, it is appealing and a good confidence builder. There are few words on the page so it is great for those with a short attention span. The illustrations complement the story so emerging readers are able to use the pictures to decipher the text. This story reminds me of the Aesop's fables I enjoyed reading as a child.
Fox and Crow are both sneaky and conniving. They are both also hungry. Who will get the cheese? Both characters try to outsmart the other instead of sharing the cheese. Ultimately, they both lose. Read this story to find out what happens.
Because the characters are animals, this story will appeal to young children ages 4-7. For the younger children, it is a great read aloud. For those who are just beginning to read, it is appealing and a good confidence builder. There are few words on the page so it is great for those with a short attention span. The illustrations complement the story so emerging readers are able to use the pictures to decipher the text. This story reminds me of the Aesop's fables I enjoyed reading as a child.
Read
September 15, 2012What starts out as an Aesop's fable inspired story goes in a different direction, in this beginning reader collection of funny short stories about the enmity between Fox and Crow. Longer sentences, with simple vocabulary and a "chapter" organization make this book perfect for kids who aren't quite ready for chapter books yet. As Fox and Crow squabble over cheese (their favorite snack) readers will be surprised and pleased to see them both get their much deserved comeuppance from Mama Bear.
September 17, 2015
The Author takes the famous story of the fox and the Crow where they weren't friends and the Fox out foxes the crow for her cheese. This story takes the story on farther and the crow tries and 'get back' at crow. BUT in the end it's Mama Bear that teaches both a lesson! Very cute twist on an old story
December 30, 2012
Classic. Plenty of giggles from my littler girls, and the big girls happily volunteered to read it to the littles (no "Ugh, not that again"). Well done!
February 13, 2013
Simple chapters and charming illustrations.
themes: cheese, crows, enemies, foxes, tricks
themes: cheese, crows, enemies, foxes, tricks
March 21, 2013
Ahhhh yes, pair up the two tricksteriest of characters from traditional literature and see who comes out on top. Exxxxxcellent.
October 11, 2014
Another good reader; for a bit older children.
July 7, 2023
A fun read about an unlikely friendship. Follows the tale of two unlikely friends Fox and Crow. A good book for easy level readers.
December 10, 2020
This is a level 3 reader. This is a fun book for kids to read and it teaches an important lesson at the same time.
January 27, 2023
Fox tricks Crow for some cheese. Crow tricks Fox and he gets caught in a trap. Fox tries to catch crow, but ends up being caught by Mama Bear.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2023
A fun three-parter about how scheming and revenge only come back to bite you...or turn you into a cheesemaker.
October 7, 2012
This books shows that even stories for young readers can have interesting plots.
October 11, 2015
A good start on Aesop-type classic fox stories for young readers. Good plot and pictures.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews