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Fox's Dream Sandcastle
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 12, 2014
Stunning woodcut illustrations mostly in moonlit shades of blues and purples make this book a visual delight. A young fox wanders alone in the forest, then sees the glimmer of a hare as it bounds through the winter moonlight. The fox fails to catch dinner, but instead has a wonderful dream that includes an enchanted forest full of animals in the trees and a remembered romp with his brothers in the summer sun. The fox awakes to find a vixen standing a little way off. Together they anticipate the coming spring.
Although the story is probably too abstract for the typical picture book audience, all ages will enjoy Tejima's illustrations. Each hair on the fox and each needle on the pine trees stands out in sharp detail. The story, however, will probably be most enjoyed by older primary and intermediate audiences.
Although the story is probably too abstract for the typical picture book audience, all ages will enjoy Tejima's illustrations. Each hair on the fox and each needle on the pine trees stands out in sharp detail. The story, however, will probably be most enjoyed by older primary and intermediate audiences.
March 27, 2019
such incredibly beautiful block-prints 💜
December 5, 2020
Cute little book about a lonely fox who finds the companionship he has been wishing for for a long time. The pictures are well done and simple yet pretty.
July 11, 2024
از سرمای جنگل یخی تنهایی و مرگ گریزی نیست
October 31, 2009
This is such a beautiful book -- the illustrations are from woodblocks, and they're wide and sweeping, simple and complex all at once. In this story, Fox sees a family of ice foxes in a tree and he remembers how it once was with his family. He's alone once he comes out of the dream, he sees his future mate -- another fox all alone in the snow. Reading this is like taking a series of deep, slow breaths -- it calms you down a little.
July 12, 2015
A lovely pace with fitting, understatedly-striking art. This would be great for read-alouds as it's got that "storytelling" quality and each set of pages only has one picture, so they're quite large and everyone would be able to see.
January 26, 2013
WOW!
6 star book!
the woodcuts themselves are poetry, any of these illustrations could be framed.
a very special book.
6 star book!
the woodcuts themselves are poetry, any of these illustrations could be framed.
a very special book.
October 8, 2021
Overall the art is beautiful but there is no real story and I am sure I will forget this by the end of the year
June 11, 2018
This book is just stunning.
A fox wanders through a winter forest and sees different images in the snow formations in the trees.
I had to stop and read this section of this book out loud to the other teacher who was in the library with me.
And in a tree near the very end of the forest, the fox sees a family of ice foxes. He closes his eyes and remembers a spring when the wind was warm and the earth smelled of new grass and wildflowers. He remembers his family and the nearness of his mother. He remembers leaping with his brother and sister in the warmth of a gently sun. But when the fox opens his eyes, the forest is still covered with snow, the fox family is still made of ice, and the fox is still alone.
A fox wanders through a winter forest and sees different images in the snow formations in the trees.
I had to stop and read this section of this book out loud to the other teacher who was in the library with me.
And in a tree near the very end of the forest, the fox sees a family of ice foxes. He closes his eyes and remembers a spring when the wind was warm and the earth smelled of new grass and wildflowers. He remembers his family and the nearness of his mother. He remembers leaping with his brother and sister in the warmth of a gently sun. But when the fox opens his eyes, the forest is still covered with snow, the fox family is still made of ice, and the fox is still alone.
October 10, 2021
I really loved the woodblock print style for the images. And I thought it worked really well for this story to have the text so it didn't overlap with the pictures and only took up a small portion of each page so as to allow the pictures to take prominence. I liked the progression of emotions this short story takes you on: serene, excitement, sadness, hope.
March 17, 2023
Absolutely gorgeous woodcut illustrations by Japanese artist Tejima, that are gently supported by lyrical text evoking many different emotions - anticipation, excitement, longing, daydreaming, loneliness. Just perfect. New York Times Best Illustrated Books, 1987
June 20, 2018
I like the bold illustrations. The fox is lonely and dreams of being with his family. Then he meets a girl fox and soon it will be spring.
June 28, 2018
A magical picture book of a fox in a winter landscape. Poetic language accompanied by breathtaking woodcut illustrations. A book to savor!
July 20, 2018
Absolutely stunning! The author and artist expertly depict the cold blue silence of winter in words and paint.
September 18, 2018
Gorgeous woodcut illustrations!
May 14, 2021
Dreams come true.
December 23, 2022
Powerful illustrations sharing the fox's journey
September 5, 2023
Gorgeous artwork that tells a story as well as the written words.
March 23, 2013
As wonderful today as 20 years ago when I read it and re-read it with my girls. Beautiful woodcut illustrations! I may get a copy for the middle school just so students can revel in the art and the timeless, cyclical storyline.
December 2, 2013
Read this book over the weekend for the first time since I was a little girl to my son. The illustrations are exquisite. We had fun finding the animals hidden in the ice forest. Not much happens in this book plotwise but I think this is more of a picture book than a story book.
March 27, 2015
The artwork in this book was fantastic. The story line was great too. I can see how children can find their imagination and relation in this book. I would use this to build my students' comprehension skills.
January 27, 2015
I liked the book. Not sure if it's storytime worthy (my audience tends to be very young. It's worth a shot though.
March 6, 2015
Such a beautiful book with haunting, lyrical words and pictures. I remember loving this when I was a kid.
February 11, 2016
a gorgeous picture book! uses traditional Japanese woodcuts for the art in the book. a New York Times best illustrated winner.
May 9, 2016
Loved the woodcut illustrations. The light is just stunning! It reminds me of, "Kitten's First Full moon" by Kevin Henkes-simple and elegant.
May 26, 2016
This is a beautiful, simple story about loneliness, family and the circle of life told in perfect marriage with the illustrations. Not pretentious, wordy or hokey - just sensitive and moving.
January 16, 2017
Simply incredible.
February 7, 2012
Found it in the back of my closet and remembered how much I loved it.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews