The Fox of Biggleswade: A Chronicle of Midlam’s Small Heroes

by Karisa Graham, Shelby Elizabeth (Illustrator)

160 pages, Paperback

Published March 11, 2025

Reviews

[Nathaniel Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karisa has brought wonderful and lovable characters to life in this young detective story. I loved the way that the various creatures' accents were written, as I felt as if I were adventuring right along with them, and the friendship between Sherwood and Barnaby was simply delightful! Particularly, I enjoyed how the Midlamers navigate living so near the Humans, and what their lives are like just outside the small town of Biggleswade.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading the story about the ever growing group of animal friends working to solve the mystery of the missing goats. I thoroughly enjoyed viewing the world through the eyes of the animals. There were some suspenseful bits especially toward the end that had me unable to put the book down. The Fox of Biggleswade is a captivating story that illustrated warm friendships and bravery.

[Candice · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fox of Biggleswade is a delightful book. Karisa creates an engaging, exciting world for her readers to explore alongside the main character, Sherwood. The characters, the setting, and the mystery drew me in right away. The story follows Sherwood, a young fox who must defend his home from mysterious dark forces threatening the neighborhood. As Sherwood deciphers clues, makes new friends, and ultimately solves the mystery, he also learns that no one is too small to make a difference for good. I enjoyed many things about this book. One of my favorites was how much of the story took place in nature. Reading all the descriptions of that was lovely, and I like how the characters like Agatha look to nature to illustrate light and dark themes. I loved the friendship between Sherwood and Barnaby. I hope to see them solving mysteries again soon!

[Shawn Mayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet and engaging story about a little fox, Sherwood, who doesn’t know who he is or where he came from. After being nursed back to health with love and attention by Agatha the cat and Emily the shrew, Sherwood discovers that there are evil forces at work that threaten the safety of those he loves, as well as the communities around them. With the help of a new found friend, Barnaby the bear, Sherwood must find the strength and courage within himself to confront the evil. It’s a sweet and whimsical story that explores the power of love and friendship. It is a complete story with a satisfying ending, but the author definitely left us with the possibility of more exciting Sherwood adventures to come.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading an advanced copy of this little magical book, and I loved it! Boxcar children meets Narnia meets Winnie the Pooh. The story was intriguing and kept you interested (good for parents who are reading to their children) and it had some great themes on character and the might of the small. Here are some of my favorite quotes from the story: “However, the main characteristic of animals from Midlam is their ability to engage and change the world around them through courtesy, cleverness, curiosity, and courage…”.
“But his curiosity was stronger than his fear.”
“If you truly want to protect those who mean so much to you, learn to use your own strength for good.”
Happy reading!

[Ryan Reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fox of Biggleswade is a delightful book for people of all ages. Full of creatures great and small, magic, mystery, heroism, bravery, friendship, loyalty, adventure, good and evil, the tale keeps the reader guessing enough to enjoy the ride, while also giving fun clues which you can attempt to solve along with Sherwood the fox and his companions. A bit scary at certain points for the youngest readers, it seems the book is best read with parents or trusted adults around to assure the little ones of safety. This story echoes the real life struggle in our world between God and Satan, but wraps this struggle up into a fun and imaginative fantasy world. Just like Emily the shrew on page 12 of the book, I am "eager to dish out well earned praise" for the Fox of Biggleswade!

[Jenelle Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fox of Biggleswade is a charming and well-crafted story following a fox and its friends on an adventurous quest. The vivid details create a rich, immersive world, making it easy to picture every scene. I especially enjoyed the dynamics between the characters, which added depth and warmth to the journey. The story concludes on a heartwarming and uplifting note, leaving a lasting impression. Its nostalgic tone, reminiscent of classic tales, made the reading experience even more delightful and engaging.

[Dg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a magical delight from cover to cover! The main characters are charming, clever, and heroic. They now feel like old friends. The mystery they solve together is wonderfully crafted with clues that keep you guessing. I love the touches of French woven throughout the story. I love how the author reinforces the message that no one is too small to be helpful or heroic. And I love the illustrations, they bring an extra layer of charm and complement the story perfectly!

[Emily Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fox of Biggleswade is a beautifully written book from front cover to back. A complex, inquisitive main character with charming animal supporting characters, this story set in the quaint English countryside reminded me of childhood books I adored when I was young. The Fox of Biggleswade features mystery and suspense, and charm throughout. The world of Biggleswade that Karisa has written is absolutely delightful.

[Mo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karisa Graham has done such an amazing job with this book I am in love! The story flows so beautifully and we get to go on this wonderful mystical and mysterious journey of Sherwood. The adventures and dedication to solving the mystery is captivating and inspiring. I loved this book and will definitely be reading to my kids as well as recommending to others!

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book and an enjoyable read! The characters are vivid and it's easy to visualize the world that the author created. Her writing is clear and the story has suspense, humor, and heart! Highly recommend!

[Kristian Westom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an enchanting adventure with just the right amount of humor and suspense. The courageous young fox and his friends were delightful characters. I was sorry to leave the world of Midlam's small heroes as the story came to an end and hope there will be more books in this series.

[B B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fox of Biggleswade is a charming tale spun with colorful animal characters and intrigue. Karisa weaves mystery and magic, loyalty and friendship into a delightful novel for children and their parents alike.