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Fox Goes North
Winnie-the-Pooh meets The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse in this charming, emotionally touching children's fable from award-winning author Jeremy Strong, highly illustrated in black and white and launched in a beautiful, covetable hardback. An extraordinary house on wheels is being towed along a forest track by doleful Moose. On board the house are philosophical Fox; distinguished Bear; theatrical Toucan, with his magnetic beak that always points north; argumentative Little Owl, and loving, excitable Young Llama.
With nothing but her little blue suitcase, Fox has left home to join the animals' expedition to the Snowlands to see the Northern Lights. They encounter many ups and downs on their journey, but it is beneath the magic of the Lights that they must face their most heart-wrenching loss...
By turns funny, thoughtful and heartfelt, this is a story about the importance of art, music, books, shortbread biscuits and, ultimately, saying goodbye to the ones we love.
This stunning book with its iconic animal characters has all the hallmarks of a future classic, with notes of The Jungle Book and Charlotte's Web, ideal for fans of Sara Pennypacker's Pax and Iona Rangeley's Einstein the Penguin. With beautiful art and a courageous, touching message, this is perfect winter's tale for readers young and old, from age 7+. Jeremy Strong handles themes of life and loss with a lightness of touch, gentle humour and heart-warming hope and empathy.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2024
7 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 21, 2025
Щемка і сумовита історія про останню подорож старенької Лисички і її надбаної сім'ї.
Всі ми трохи вар'яти, так і є.
Всі ми трохи вар'яти, так і є.
December 9, 2025
Read over a few nights at bedtime. Incredibly poignant, especially knowing what was going on behind the scenes at the time, but also very hopeful. It says for 7+ but actually it kept my 5 year old's interest fine as there are plenty of colourful characters and moments of drama and excitement, as well as the more lyrical passages. I was tickled to see references to Andy Goldsworthy, having been to his exhibition in the summer, and his work is a good thematic background to this novel. Nature, transience and finding beauty in small everyday things.
December 14, 2024
three cheers for fox
Such a beautiful and moving story.i cried at the end and i so enjoyed the friendships the animals built along the way and how fox brought them all together.
This is one story that I will be reading to my children in the future
Such a beautiful and moving story.i cried at the end and i so enjoyed the friendships the animals built along the way and how fox brought them all together.
This is one story that I will be reading to my children in the future
November 18, 2025
Filmische taferelen
Vos gaat op reis is het laatste boek dat Jeremy Strong schreef in een periode waarin hij zelf ernstig ziek was. Afscheid nemen, maar ook geluk en liefde zijn dan ook belangrijke thema’s in het boek.
Het verhaal gaat over de laatste reis van Vos, een bloemoloog die aan de hand van bloemblaadjes de toekomst kan voorspellen. Vos voelt dat er iets belangrijks staat te gebeuren. Op een dag sluit ze zich aan bij een rondreizende woonwagen vol dieren, een bont gezelschap dat doet denken aan een eigentijdse ark. Samen gaan ze op weg naar het noorderlicht.
Ondanks hun verschillen vormen de dieren een sterk team dat zorgt voor elkaar. Ieder draagt op zijn eigen manier bij tot de groep en ieders talent wordt benut om onderweg problemen op te lossen.
Strong schrijft met een rijke, beeldende taal. Zijn beschrijvingen zijn zo filmisch dat je de scènes moeiteloos voor je ziet. Hoewel de auteur thema’s als vriendschap, kunst en zelfs de dood aan bod laat komen, blijft het boek licht en hoopvol. Tussen de regels door schuilt subtiele humor. Deze is waarschijnlijk iets te moeilijk voor de jongste lezers, maar dit vormt geen drempel om van het verhaal te kunnen genieten.
De illustraties, uitgevoerd in een fris blauw, geven het verhaal een eigen cachet. Het boek heeft een handig formaat en is gedrukt op mooi, stevig papier.
Vos gaat op reis is een verhaal om voor te lezen vanaf zes jaar, en perfect om zelf te lezen vanaf een jaar of acht.
Vos gaat op reis is het laatste boek dat Jeremy Strong schreef in een periode waarin hij zelf ernstig ziek was. Afscheid nemen, maar ook geluk en liefde zijn dan ook belangrijke thema’s in het boek.
Het verhaal gaat over de laatste reis van Vos, een bloemoloog die aan de hand van bloemblaadjes de toekomst kan voorspellen. Vos voelt dat er iets belangrijks staat te gebeuren. Op een dag sluit ze zich aan bij een rondreizende woonwagen vol dieren, een bont gezelschap dat doet denken aan een eigentijdse ark. Samen gaan ze op weg naar het noorderlicht.
Ondanks hun verschillen vormen de dieren een sterk team dat zorgt voor elkaar. Ieder draagt op zijn eigen manier bij tot de groep en ieders talent wordt benut om onderweg problemen op te lossen.
Strong schrijft met een rijke, beeldende taal. Zijn beschrijvingen zijn zo filmisch dat je de scènes moeiteloos voor je ziet. Hoewel de auteur thema’s als vriendschap, kunst en zelfs de dood aan bod laat komen, blijft het boek licht en hoopvol. Tussen de regels door schuilt subtiele humor. Deze is waarschijnlijk iets te moeilijk voor de jongste lezers, maar dit vormt geen drempel om van het verhaal te kunnen genieten.
De illustraties, uitgevoerd in een fris blauw, geven het verhaal een eigen cachet. Het boek heeft een handig formaat en is gedrukt op mooi, stevig papier.
Vos gaat op reis is een verhaal om voor te lezen vanaf zes jaar, en perfect om zelf te lezen vanaf een jaar of acht.
February 9, 2025
Moving, beautiful animal fable of life, death and friendship.
Well that got me. I shouldn't have read the Afterword at the start (clue's in the name, Katy!). Remembering that very sadly Jeremy Strong died from cancer after writing this, I started in floods of tears and then periodically found them returning as I read. I'm just glad I wasn't reading this aloud as I did with Charlotte's Web recently.
There are similarities actually to that beautiful piece of writing. This is whimsical whilst set in the real world, a world where animals can talk, though instead of a farm, our characters are travelling in a house pulled by a moose. Fox is sat with her case by the road one day, using her skills to 'read' the flowers and the future, when a moose-led house on wheels comes along. Invited on board by the group, who include a friendly and wise Bear, Little Owl and a Toucan whose beak points north, Fox joins as cook as they adventure toward the Northern Lights.
Picking up other new friends as they go, coming across obstacles, danger and personal demons, the gentle story becomes a sad one as Fox reveals her story and the animals must help both her and each other deal with the consequences.
What wonderful characters, each conveying passions or qualities children will recognised. Little Llama is particularly joyous in young exuberance and in search of love and family.
With a lot of joy but also a little sadness, this is such a wonderful story from Strong at the close of his own story. A beautiful lesson and memorable narrative that manages to, in my opinion, achieve Modern Classic status effortlessly.
With blue-tinged illustrations that give a timeless quality to the characters, this is going to have parents sobbing quietly as they read it aloud at bedtime.
For ages 6-11.
Well that got me. I shouldn't have read the Afterword at the start (clue's in the name, Katy!). Remembering that very sadly Jeremy Strong died from cancer after writing this, I started in floods of tears and then periodically found them returning as I read. I'm just glad I wasn't reading this aloud as I did with Charlotte's Web recently.
There are similarities actually to that beautiful piece of writing. This is whimsical whilst set in the real world, a world where animals can talk, though instead of a farm, our characters are travelling in a house pulled by a moose. Fox is sat with her case by the road one day, using her skills to 'read' the flowers and the future, when a moose-led house on wheels comes along. Invited on board by the group, who include a friendly and wise Bear, Little Owl and a Toucan whose beak points north, Fox joins as cook as they adventure toward the Northern Lights.
Picking up other new friends as they go, coming across obstacles, danger and personal demons, the gentle story becomes a sad one as Fox reveals her story and the animals must help both her and each other deal with the consequences.
What wonderful characters, each conveying passions or qualities children will recognised. Little Llama is particularly joyous in young exuberance and in search of love and family.
With a lot of joy but also a little sadness, this is such a wonderful story from Strong at the close of his own story. A beautiful lesson and memorable narrative that manages to, in my opinion, achieve Modern Classic status effortlessly.
With blue-tinged illustrations that give a timeless quality to the characters, this is going to have parents sobbing quietly as they read it aloud at bedtime.
For ages 6-11.
November 10, 2024
I don't review many books here these days and I will keep this one brief, but it felt right to say a few words here.
Poignant, beautiful, somehow heart-breaking and spirit-lifting at the same time. One of the books that will stay with the reader for a long time to come. An incredibly special farewell from an author I have not explored to the readers he appears to have adored.
Read it.
Poignant, beautiful, somehow heart-breaking and spirit-lifting at the same time. One of the books that will stay with the reader for a long time to come. An incredibly special farewell from an author I have not explored to the readers he appears to have adored.
Read it.
October 15, 2024
Firstly I have to admit that I have never actually read a Jeremy Strong book. We have loads at school I know because they have silly titles ablout Famous bottoms, Vikings and 100 mile a hour dogs but I haven't read any myself. Probably had bits of them read too me.
Thanks to Hannah at Scholastic for this stunning hard back copy of Jeremy's last book.
Reading the note from Jeremy at the end of the book he says 'it is the last book I shall write. In that respect alone it merits a good send off. I hope I have achieved something special......I hope my readers love it even more than I do and maybe accept this story as my "thank you" for a lifetime of story writing.' This book is every bit as special as he wanted it to be. The illustrations, by Heegyum Kim, of the characters and the story are stunning, I do hope Jeremy was able to see them because he would have been pleased with them I have no doubt.
One Autumn morning Fox is sitting by the side of the track with her little blue suitcase beside her. She thinks that something exciting and unusual is going to happen.
And it does, because along the track comes a house being pulled by a Moose, and with a Bear and a Toucan on board. They are on an adventure - to see the Northern Lights. They invite her to join them and are very excited when she says she can cook, apparently Toucan has been cooking and it is terrible!
I say it is a house because it is just one that is on wheels. It has a kitchen, library, bedrooms and a piano on board. (Bear plays this)
Fox is an artist, she uses items from nature to make beautiful things which may only last until the wind blows. She is also a florologist - she reads the future in flowers.
She sees what will happen to teh house and it's occupants and what will happen to her. Fox is very old. When Moose finds her unable to stand, he learns the truth. It doesn't take Bear long to work it out either. Fox asks him to tell the others, which now includes a very dramatic young llama, while she goes to do some art.
They meet lots of animals along the way who need their help, and others that help them. One is particularly majestic and has come just to talk to Fox. They make it to see the Northern Lights, but they don't all return....
Absolutely stunning book, that will not be going to school! This one stays with me. Hardback copy.
Thanks to Hannah at Scholastic for this stunning hard back copy of Jeremy's last book.
Reading the note from Jeremy at the end of the book he says 'it is the last book I shall write. In that respect alone it merits a good send off. I hope I have achieved something special......I hope my readers love it even more than I do and maybe accept this story as my "thank you" for a lifetime of story writing.' This book is every bit as special as he wanted it to be. The illustrations, by Heegyum Kim, of the characters and the story are stunning, I do hope Jeremy was able to see them because he would have been pleased with them I have no doubt.
One Autumn morning Fox is sitting by the side of the track with her little blue suitcase beside her. She thinks that something exciting and unusual is going to happen.
And it does, because along the track comes a house being pulled by a Moose, and with a Bear and a Toucan on board. They are on an adventure - to see the Northern Lights. They invite her to join them and are very excited when she says she can cook, apparently Toucan has been cooking and it is terrible!
I say it is a house because it is just one that is on wheels. It has a kitchen, library, bedrooms and a piano on board. (Bear plays this)
Fox is an artist, she uses items from nature to make beautiful things which may only last until the wind blows. She is also a florologist - she reads the future in flowers.
She sees what will happen to teh house and it's occupants and what will happen to her. Fox is very old. When Moose finds her unable to stand, he learns the truth. It doesn't take Bear long to work it out either. Fox asks him to tell the others, which now includes a very dramatic young llama, while she goes to do some art.
They meet lots of animals along the way who need their help, and others that help them. One is particularly majestic and has come just to talk to Fox. They make it to see the Northern Lights, but they don't all return....
Absolutely stunning book, that will not be going to school! This one stays with me. Hardback copy.
November 20, 2025
Volpe è seduta in mezzo al sentiero, con accanto la sua piccola valigia, quando sente degli strani rumori e vede avvicinarsi una casa mobile. La casa è trainata da Alce e al suo interno ci sono Orso e Tucano. Il gruppo è diretto verso le Terre Innevate per ammirare l'aurora boreale e invita Volpe a unirsi a loro. Lei accetta con entusiasmo.
Questa storia parla di quelle grandi amicizie capaci di trasformare degli estranei in una famiglia. Il legame che unisce i personaggi nasce dal cuore, ed è talmente forte da superare le differenze e le diffidenze tra le varie razze. Si celebra il supporto reciproco e il saper aiutare gli altri, anche quando li si incontra per la prima volta.
Una storia di animali che parla a noi umani di sentimenti gentili e profondi.
Il viaggio dei protagonisti non è privo di imprevisti, ma anche questi li aiutano a incontrare nuovi amici, come Lupo e Giovane Lama.
Mi è piaciuto molto come sono stati caratterizzati i protagonisti: Volpe è un'artista che ama cucinare e preparare ottimi pasti per i propri amici; Orso è saggio e nota subito quando qualcuno ha qualcosa da nascondere; Giovane Lama è piena di energia e di voglia di chiacchierare.
Il loro è un viaggio verso un luogo, ma anche un viaggio alla scoperta di sé stessi e degli altri.
Questa storia trasmette il vero senso della famiglia. I protagonisti mi hanno riempito il cuore con la loro voglia di vivere, ho vissuto su quella casa mobile, mi sono divertita ed emozionata con il loro viaggio.
Il volume è impreziosito da splendide illustrazioni che variano tra le sfumature dell'azzurro, capaci di evocare perfettamente il freddo e la magia dell’inverno.
Questa storia parla di quelle grandi amicizie capaci di trasformare degli estranei in una famiglia. Il legame che unisce i personaggi nasce dal cuore, ed è talmente forte da superare le differenze e le diffidenze tra le varie razze. Si celebra il supporto reciproco e il saper aiutare gli altri, anche quando li si incontra per la prima volta.
Una storia di animali che parla a noi umani di sentimenti gentili e profondi.
Il viaggio dei protagonisti non è privo di imprevisti, ma anche questi li aiutano a incontrare nuovi amici, come Lupo e Giovane Lama.
Mi è piaciuto molto come sono stati caratterizzati i protagonisti: Volpe è un'artista che ama cucinare e preparare ottimi pasti per i propri amici; Orso è saggio e nota subito quando qualcuno ha qualcosa da nascondere; Giovane Lama è piena di energia e di voglia di chiacchierare.
Il loro è un viaggio verso un luogo, ma anche un viaggio alla scoperta di sé stessi e degli altri.
Questa storia trasmette il vero senso della famiglia. I protagonisti mi hanno riempito il cuore con la loro voglia di vivere, ho vissuto su quella casa mobile, mi sono divertita ed emozionata con il loro viaggio.
Il volume è impreziosito da splendide illustrazioni che variano tra le sfumature dell'azzurro, capaci di evocare perfettamente il freddo e la magia dell’inverno.
July 29, 2025
I picked up this book on an impulse at the library with the intention of reading it with my children. This book was written very well, in such a way to be engaging to my young children but also myself. It gave us a chance to talk about loss after getting attached to Fox but also the concept of creation and reincarnation.
It was extremely touching and melancholy to read the words from the author that he was also unwell during the writing of this book and then to discover that he died before publication. It somewhat mirrored the story.
This was my first book by this author but I will definitely look at the others. The illustrations were also beautiful and added so much to the characters.
It was extremely touching and melancholy to read the words from the author that he was also unwell during the writing of this book and then to discover that he died before publication. It somewhat mirrored the story.
This was my first book by this author but I will definitely look at the others. The illustrations were also beautiful and added so much to the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 24, 2025
(I wasn’t sure whether to label this with spoilers because I don’t think it has spoilers)
love this book!! One of my favourites as I have been looking for a sweet little book without a huge plot, where it’s just calm to read. I like all the characters and the place as I like the journey they are on. Although the ending is a bit sad, I would still say it’s a good book!
love this book!! One of my favourites as I have been looking for a sweet little book without a huge plot, where it’s just calm to read. I like all the characters and the place as I like the journey they are on. Although the ending is a bit sad, I would still say it’s a good book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2025
'Fox Goes North' is beautiful, gentle story about friendship, kindness, art, life, and ultimately death. One of those special stories that touches you heart, brings you both hope and sadness, and stays with you for a long time.
Written by the late Jeremy Strong with gorgeous illustrations by Heegyum Kim.
Highly recommended.
Written by the late Jeremy Strong with gorgeous illustrations by Heegyum Kim.
Highly recommended.
November 21, 2024
A beautiful and beautifully poignant story about the journeys we take in life, the friends we meet along the way, and the importance of art and beauty for the soul.
Accompanied by equally beautiful illustrations.
Accompanied by equally beautiful illustrations.
January 21, 2026
A tiny house of animals makes their way to see the Northern Lights. A gentle story about death and saying goodbye. Last book written by this renowned children's author who passed away from cancer recently.
February 12, 2025
A beautiful little story about friendship, kindness, helping others , and ultimately death. Sad and joyful. Beautifully written
September 10, 2025
A beautiful tale of friendship, laughter and sadness. Exquisite drawings. I want to read it all over again.
December 28, 2025
Прочитала вголос доньці. Книжка-подорож з диваками. Для когось остання, для когось перша. Люблю такі чесні книжки дітям.
January 24, 2026
such a lovely set of characters. Charming, engaging and beautifully sad. reminds me of Charlotte's web as it made me feel the same way. daughter loved it and the illustrations were wonderful.
January 24, 2026
Oh my goodness I did NOT expect to be tearing up over this book.
A beautiful book with strong themes of friendship and mortality, as well as a great journey and lovely characters. Expect to cry during this one. Favorite read of 2026 so far.
A beautiful book with strong themes of friendship and mortality, as well as a great journey and lovely characters. Expect to cry during this one. Favorite read of 2026 so far.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews