Fox on Stage

Fox and His Friends #9

by James Marshall

Fox makes a film for Grannie, takes part in a magic show, and puts on a play.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Humor

48 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

James Edward Marshall (October 10, 1942 – October 13, 1992), who also wrote as Edward Marshall, was a children's author and illustrator.

His father worked on the railroad, was a band member in the 1930s, and his mother sang in the local church choir. His family later moved to Beaumont, Texas. Marshall said: "Beaumont is deep south and swampy and I hated it. I knew I would die if I stayed there so I diligently studied the viola, and eventually won a scholarship to the New England Conservatory in Boston."[1] He entered the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, but injured his hand, ending his music career. He returned to Texas, where he attended San Antonio College, and later transferred to Southern Connecticut State University where he received degrees in French and history.

It is said that he discovered his vocation on a 1971 summer afternoon, lying on a hammock drawing. His mother was watching Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, and the main characters, George and Martha, ultimately became characters in one of his children's books. Marshall continued as a children's author until his untimely death in 1992 of a brain tumor. In 1998, George and Martha became the basis of an eponymous animated children's television show.

In addition to George and Martha, the lovable hippopotami, James Marshall created dozens of other uniquely appealing characters. He is well-known for his Fox series (which he wrote as "Edward Marshall"), as well as the Miss Nelson books, the Stupids, the Cut-ups, and many more. James Marshall had the uncanny ability to elicit wild delight from readers with relatively little text and simple drawings. With only two minute dots for eyes, his illustrated characters are able to express a wide range of emotion, and produce howls of laughter from both children and adults.

Reviews

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fox and his friends try their hand at the theatrical arts. Fox makes a video for his grandmother, films his neighbors without their consent, attend a magic show, and put on a scary play. The laughs and circumstances, and outcomes are sure to delight the reader.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fox on Stage consists of three short stories with hilarious outcomes! Story number one:Fox makes negative remarks about Mr. Yee's magic show. Mr. Yee calls Fox onstage to be part of a magic trick with scary results! Story two:A video of everyday events is a hit with Grandma, even though Fox finds it boring. Fox then films a more exciting video that embarrasses several citizens in the town. And Story three:Fox and friends perform an outdoor play....what could possibly go wrong?

[Valleri · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would not recommend the entire series written by James or Edward Marshall, but two of the leveled-readers were good enough to recommend.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think maybe it's the earlier stories, by Edward Marshall, that I like better. These are ok, but kinda dumb compared to Fox in Love and the others to which I have four stars.

[El]

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[Elyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last of Fox’s books. Louise is iconic as ever, and the last story was cute and funny

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fox on Film--To cheer Granny Fox up while she's in the hospital, Fox makes a movie showing some of his daily tasks. His friends think it's the most boring movie ever so he hides around town and spies on his neighbors to make a movie with a little more excitement in it.

Flying Fox--At a magic show Fox is brought up on stage where he flies! No wires are involved, it's all magic!

Fox on Stage--Fox and his friends put on a play. There are quite a few mistakes in their production, but the audience laughed the whole way through and can't wait for his next play.

A funny read for a newly independent reader.

[Nikki in Niagara · Rating 3 out of 5]

James Marshall is a favourite illustrator who has written many, many children's picture and easy-to-read books. This is a fun easy-reader for the beginning reader divided into three separate short stories. Each features Fox as the main character and while the stories are not related they do carry a theme of the performing arts. "Fox on Film" has fox using his video recorder to make movies; "Flying Fox" has Fox watching and participating in a magic show and finally "Fox on Stage" has Fox and friends preparing, and putting on a play for the neighbourhood.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another interesting collection of short stories about Fox and his friends. They are silly, but good for beginning readers. The pictures are cartoonish and colorful and the stories are short.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son read this to me over the last little while. It's a good beginner "chapter" book, but there are some harder words that he struggled with. All in all, though, a good next step after the beginner readers he's been working on and before moving to "real" chapter books.

[Carrie Charley Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good easy reader with quirky, opinionated characters.

[Kaley Matous · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book had very simple plots. The dialogue was good for beginner readers but was not very exciting.

[Rachel Dalat · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is a quite silly.