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My Little Fox
A little fox discovers the wonders of the world around him in this exuberant picture book that celebrates the seasons and the relationship between a parent and child.
When Mama Fox tells her new baby that it’s time to go outside for the first time, he isn’t so sure. So Mama promises to stay by his side as they tumble though Little Fox’s first year of life, a year spent splashing in puddles, trying new foods, leaping in leaves, and snuggling in snow. And then, before long, Little Fox is all grown up. But is he ready to go off on his own?
With sweet rhyming text and vibrant illustrations, Rick Chrustowski tells a tender story of parent-child love and how wonderful—and wistful—it feels when a little one leaves the nest.
When Mama Fox tells her new baby that it’s time to go outside for the first time, he isn’t so sure. So Mama promises to stay by his side as they tumble though Little Fox’s first year of life, a year spent splashing in puddles, trying new foods, leaping in leaves, and snuggling in snow. And then, before long, Little Fox is all grown up. But is he ready to go off on his own?
With sweet rhyming text and vibrant illustrations, Rick Chrustowski tells a tender story of parent-child love and how wonderful—and wistful—it feels when a little one leaves the nest.
40 pages, Hardcover
Published May 9, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 23, 2021
Travel through the seasons with a little fox as he explores the world around him during his first year of life.
I really loved the illustrations here, though there's not much more to the story than what I've written above.
I really loved the illustrations here, though there's not much more to the story than what I've written above.
June 13, 2022
A cute story regarding a fox and the inevitability of growing up. Very cute and sweet and the art was fun and simplistic yet pretty.
March 8, 2017
The idea is cute but it not my favorite interpretation. I also thought some of the words integrated into the illustrations were quite hard to read.
June 10, 2017
Warm, reassuring depiction of parent-child relationship. Love the illustrations of the young fox chomping on a cricket and pouncing on a mouse.
July 10, 2017
This is just one of those million books out there for parents to read to their little ones to assure them that no matter where you are and what you are learning they will always have a home to return to. And at the same time it is a book about growing up and of the changes each season will bring to a little one as they progress in the world.
The illustrations were bright and colorful to follow the story while allowing the reader a glimpse into a realistic life of a fox cub. Strangely enough I know while everyone else got the notion of a Mama Fox including the summary I saw the parent fox as a dog (male) fox, which made my understanding of the book quite different. In this sense the book would be a great read for a single father since they can have open homes as well. But whether Mama or Papa story still left me a question as to where the rest of the family was.
At the same time the reading was simple and easy-to-follow at first and then it just got strange. I didn't even notice the change or the tucking of the words into the illustrations until about two pages into the story then had to go back to find what I had missed. Although that was witting and eye-catching for the story while adding a new element it would have made it easier on the reader to know the text was going to be absorbed if you will and that in some places there may be difficulties in finding the actual word.
Definitely a cute book and one that will be a joy to readers who want to reassure their own little ones that no matter where they go in life or what they learn, an open loving home is never too far away.
The illustrations were bright and colorful to follow the story while allowing the reader a glimpse into a realistic life of a fox cub. Strangely enough I know while everyone else got the notion of a Mama Fox including the summary I saw the parent fox as a dog (male) fox, which made my understanding of the book quite different. In this sense the book would be a great read for a single father since they can have open homes as well. But whether Mama or Papa story still left me a question as to where the rest of the family was.
At the same time the reading was simple and easy-to-follow at first and then it just got strange. I didn't even notice the change or the tucking of the words into the illustrations until about two pages into the story then had to go back to find what I had missed. Although that was witting and eye-catching for the story while adding a new element it would have made it easier on the reader to know the text was going to be absorbed if you will and that in some places there may be difficulties in finding the actual word.
Definitely a cute book and one that will be a joy to readers who want to reassure their own little ones that no matter where they go in life or what they learn, an open loving home is never too far away.
July 25, 2018
Little Fox's on the hillside, Little Fox's made of ticky-tack.
By which I mean, what a delightful little book about a fox and his mom.
By which I mean, what a delightful little book about a fox and his mom.
July 7, 2022
Time for little fox to meet the big world, indeed.
Matte pages. *chef's kiss*
Unique, nature filled illustrations.
The "hidden words" were fun to seek and find with an almost 2 year old.
Matte pages. *chef's kiss*
Unique, nature filled illustrations.
The "hidden words" were fun to seek and find with an almost 2 year old.
June 1, 2017
Awwww. Very sweet. The illustrations of some the actions are also cleverly sly.
May 26, 2017
So adorable. Depicts Little Fox's first year with his mom. Great opportunities for interaction in this book. This would even work for my Little Me's.
May 11, 2017
Embrace this book as Mother's and Father's Day draw near. This beautifully illustrated picture book takes a look at the year long changes with a baby fox exploring the world.
Read
March 17, 2017With minor adjustments this could have been an exceptional read. The text didn't quite work for me, but the illustrations are outstanding.
August 4, 2017
Mama Fox watches closely over her little fox as he heads outside for the first time. When he is scared at first, she reassures him that she will always be nearby. Little Fox discovers the wonder of water in both rain and a pond. Sunny summer days have him frolicking in the flowery meadow. In the fall, he hops into the fallen leaves. Winter snow shows his footprints. As another year begins, it’s time for him to head off on his own. Even then, his mother will be close.
Chrustowski notes in his blurb on the book jacket that he discovered a fox den in Minneapolis one day and returned regularly to try to catch a glimpse of the foxes. Finally seeing one is the inspiration for this picture book. That inspiration shows as a real reverence for these animals is clear. The book is a celebration of maternal love and also of giving youngsters the freedom to explore and discover on their own. Mama Fox doesn’t rescue Little Fox at all, rather being nearby to encourage.
The illustrations in the picture book are done watercolor and pastel pencil. They have a deep richness of color that works well with the wooded setting. Chrustowski has used the illustrations to show different words in his rhymes. The words are made of leaves, mushrooms, the sun and pond weeds. This ties the words directly to the images and adds a playful touch.
A lovely look at maternal love and childhood play. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
Chrustowski notes in his blurb on the book jacket that he discovered a fox den in Minneapolis one day and returned regularly to try to catch a glimpse of the foxes. Finally seeing one is the inspiration for this picture book. That inspiration shows as a real reverence for these animals is clear. The book is a celebration of maternal love and also of giving youngsters the freedom to explore and discover on their own. Mama Fox doesn’t rescue Little Fox at all, rather being nearby to encourage.
The illustrations in the picture book are done watercolor and pastel pencil. They have a deep richness of color that works well with the wooded setting. Chrustowski has used the illustrations to show different words in his rhymes. The words are made of leaves, mushrooms, the sun and pond weeds. This ties the words directly to the images and adds a playful touch.
A lovely look at maternal love and childhood play. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
January 29, 2018
My 5-star rating really has more to do with the illustrations than the story itself. How can I not give 5 stars when there are mushrooms and fern fronds on nearly every page? The mycology and botany lover in me went crazy over these illustrations. And the foxes are pretty cute, too. As for the story, it’s a nice presentation of parent-children relationships, intended, I’m sure, to reassure children of their parents’ continuing love and support. As other reviewers have pointed out, there are many other books with this same theme. But isn’t that the case with countless other books on other topics? Regardless, the illustrations seen in this book have me sold.
October 7, 2017
This was definitely below my daughter's reading level (which I didn't know of before hand). However we had fun looking for the words integrated into the illustrations, and we loved the bright colors used.
As a parent I appreciated the message of comfort and reassurance to the young fox. No matter where you go as you grow up you can always count on a home to return to if needed.
As a parent I appreciated the message of comfort and reassurance to the young fox. No matter where you go as you grow up you can always count on a home to return to if needed.
October 24, 2017
Vibrant illustrations lure readers into the lush world of this parent-child relationship, showing fox and kit weathering seasonal changes as Little Fox learns how to be a self-reliant yearling; finding words hidden among the vegetation requires the power of observation necessary for aspiring zoologists.
October 29, 2018
Little fox slowly grows up and becomes more independent.
Miss 4 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 4 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.
March 24, 2022
Adorable book. The illustrations and story are so sweet. The only thing I did not like was how some of the words were hard to figure out what they were. It took me awhile to figure out that the word made up of leaves was "drop". It's a clever way to use text, but wish some of them were easier to figure out. Other than that I loved the book.
August 1, 2017
Cleverly hidden words in the illustrations that complete the rhyming phrases.
Simple text in simple font invites the very young to read along.
Watercolor washes with pastel pencil details give hints to the text, again, this encourages young readers.
Simple text in simple font invites the very young to read along.
Watercolor washes with pastel pencil details give hints to the text, again, this encourages young readers.
August 22, 2019
Very sweet book - probably not the best one to read right now though. The mother fox is helping her baby fox prepare for adulthood and to leave the den. My emotions are already close to the surface in that particular area. I did enjoy this book, though. The pictures are lovely.
January 18, 2023
Well I didn't plan on crying over a children's picture book today, but here we are! This is an absolutely precious picture book that follows a fox cub and his mother through the seasons during his first year. Beautiful illustrations as well!
January 22, 2024
A sweet picture book about a baby fox throughout his first year. An older fox (his mother, perhaps?) teaches him everything he needs to to know to survive on his own, while also teaching him that he can always come home. This would good to pair with The Kissing Hand or similar titles
May 10, 2017
little fox grows up
May 12, 2017
Parent child reassurance
From advanced reader copy.
From advanced reader copy.
May 16, 2017
A fox teaches their cub how to get around through the first seasons of its life.
June 26, 2017
Little Fox is growing up under the watchful eye of his mother. Through every season, Little Fox plays, runs, hops, and sleeps until he is a big fox and ready to go alone.
July 19, 2017
Very cute change of seasons book
July 23, 2017
Little fox grows up.
June 4, 2018
A very cute story about the seasons and children growing up. Would make a great read for storytime.
October 10, 2017
Some of the words that are made from objects are hard to recognize, especially for new readers.
November 4, 2017
Simple book. The girls enjoyed finding the hidden words in the pictures.
11/3/17 Read with Naomi & Julia.
11/3/17 Read with Naomi & Julia.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews