Fox & Chick: The Quiet Boat Ride: and Other Stories

Fox & Chick #2

by Sergio Ruzzier

The second title in the critically acclaimed series for emerging readers is now available in paperback.

In the tradition of Frog and Toad, this critically acclaimed early reader series features Fox and Chick – two unlikely friends who despite their differences always manage to find a way to get along. In this second book in the series, Fox and Chick go on three adventures involving a boat ride, a mysterious box, and an early morning trip to see the sunrise. The universal characters, humor and comic-style layouts make it ideal for both the picture book audience and emerging readers.

• BUDDY BOOKS ARE PERENNIAL: From Frog and Toad to Elephant & Piggie to Ivy & Bean, kids of all ages respond to books about friendship.
• PERFECT FOR NEW READERS: The universal characters, humor, and comic-style layouts make it ideal for both the picture book audience and emerging readers.
• AWARD-WINNING: The first book in the series won a Geisel Award Honor for "the most distinguished book for beginning readers" by the American Library Association. It was also a New York Times Notable Children's Book and appeared on many Best Book of the Year lists.
• KIDS LIKE GRAPHIC NOVELS: This series will appeal to kids who are visually oriented readers as well as new readers who are eager to tackle graphic novels.

Perfect for:

• Parents, caregivers, and grandparents
• Teachers and librarians
• Fans of Frog and Toad, Elephant & Piggie, Bink & Gollie, Charlie & Mouse, and Barkus

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Animals, Graphic Novels, Childrens, Humor, Fiction

56 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 2019

About the author

Website and blog: http://www.ruzzier.com

Sergio Ruzzier was born in Milan, Italy, in 1966.

He began his career as an illustrator in 1986.

In 1995 he moved to New York City, where he’s been creating pictures and stories for national and international magazines and book publishers.

His work has been awarded by American Illustration, The Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, and The Society of Publication Designers.
He won the Parents' Choice Gold Medal for “The Room of Wonders” and for his illustrations for “Why Mole Shouted."

He was a recipient of the 2011 Sendak Fellowship.

Reviews

[Zoë]

[Book #32 for my grad school Children's Lit class]

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fox and Chick are back with three new adventures involving a not so quiet boat ride . . .

some yummy chocolate cake, and a jaunt to view a sunrise.

This is a delightful series that should never, NEVER end!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun stories of friendship. Reminds me of Frog and Toad and Piggie and Gerald

[Ioana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aici avem tot trei povestiri: O plimbare cu barca, Tortul de ciocolată și Răsăritul de soare. Față de primul volum, acesta al doilea mi se pare mai închegat și mai cursiv. Se simte o familiaritate între scriitor și personaje, le-a mai șlefuit pe ici colo, iar neobrăzarea lui Puiu nu este mereu enervantă, ci doar simpatică. E drept că eu am citit prima dată acest volum și mai apoi, peste câteva săptămâni, am lecturat prima carte a seriei, și poate că de aceea mă simt mai atrasă de acest volum.

https://ciobanuldeazi.home.blog/2023/...

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaahhh, I adore this series.

[*JEN the booknerd* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to read a picture book, a book with a fox on the cover and a book under 100 pages for a reading challenge. This book took care of all three and it was delightful!!!

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes I feel like far too many picture books are about putting up with jerks, just because they are your “friend”.

[Relyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This adorable book reminds me of Frog and Toad by Arnold Lobel. That is a high compliment.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed for School Library Journal in March 2019 issue.

PreS-Gr 2—Fox and Chick are back in another endearing tale of friendship and adventure. Chick is the dynamo of the pair, quick to show emotion and blessed with a vivid imagination and sense of whimsy. Fox, on the other hand, is the anchor of the pair and serves as the voice of reason and logic. Despite their differences (or perhaps because of them), the two seem to find fun wherever they go. In the first chapter, Fox's quiet boat ride is transformed into an epic adventure by Chick's imagined sea monsters, pirates, and shipwrecks. Fox is patient throughout and is generally bemused by his friend's antics. The remaining chapters cover the angst that a chocolate cake initially causes, and the book ends with an amusing tale about the pair trying to catch a sunrise. The lovely illustrations are done in pen, ink, and watercolor with muted tones and Ruzzier is a master at capturing a wide-range of facial expressions. Told in comic-book panel format and divided into three chapters, this is a gentle read, full of subtle humor and curiosity. VERDICT: A perfect choice for those who have graduated from new reader materials but aren't quite ready for lengthier chapter books. Highly recommend for purchase.–Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful. Love the friendship between these two. Some difficult words (plunder, shipwrecked) without picture support. But text design and layout make this feel like developing readers can tackle them. Plus, the humor and twists will keep them going.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fox and Chick remind me of Frog and Toad. Fox sets off on what is meant to be a quiet boat ride, until Chick sees him and wants to go along. Chick worries about pirates, sea monsters, and shipwrecks! In other stories Fox leaves Chick a gift that Chick is afraid to open, and then Chick takes so long to get ready, he cause Fox to miss the sunrise.

Teaching points: friendship, character analysis, small moments, story telling

Suggested grade level: K-2

Location:
LES library
NC Kids Digital Library (ebook - Libby app)

Related reads:
Fox & Chick: The Party: and Other Stories by Sergio Ruzzier
Snail and Worm All Day: Three Stories About Two Friends series by Tina Kugler
Today I Will Fly! & other Elephant and Piggie book by Mo Willems
Frog and Toad Are Friends series by Arnold Lobel
Henry and Mudge - The First Book by Cynthia Rylant

[Patricia Timbrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fox and a chick, together? As friends? Really?? Sure, and why not! We have all seen crazier combinations in children’s books, right? Well, if the combo doesn’t catch your attention immediately, then maybe the abstract-y characters will. Italian-born author and illustrator Sergio Ruzzier tells three stories in this Early Chapter book. Even though it seems, at first, as if I were reading a cartoon strip,  then a picture book, then back to the cartoon strip again, the text and story, like a leaf swirling along down a river, flows together. The simplicity of each story line—The Quiet Boat Ride (anything but), The Chocolate Cake (not a surprise), and The Sunrise (turned into a Sunset)—arrives, states its point, and ends satisfactorily.

Unusual in children's books, these two unlikely friends, Fox and Chick, work together as a comedy team in their viewpoints: Fox is the sensible, assuring friend, while Chick clucks imagination and worry into each situation. For instance, Chick worries: "Will a boat ride mean sea monsters, pirates, and shipwrecks?" Fox: " This is a pond, not the Sea. There's nothing in this boat that pirates want. And, this is a quiet boat ride."

Because of the short sentences and only three chapters, along with funny drawings and simplicity of stories, kids will stay with this book to its final page, full of creepy-looking (yet harmless) abstract-y monsters. Let's trust, too, that there may be a thought or two instilled in young readers: to look for the good and the positive in everyday situations.

PatSays, Mrs. Patricia Ann Timbrook, Children's Book Reviewer, October 7, 2019

https://patriciatimbrook.wordpress.co...

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a 3.5 for this one, filled with relatable experiences and important lessons about friendship. If I were a young reader, though, oh, how I would cherish this book and its three stories about Fox and Chick, two very different friends who often seem to disagree on trivial and important matters. Sometimes, it's necessary to compromise in order to keep a friend, and sometimes friends need a bit of a nudge, especially when they are keeping us from enjoying a pursuit. And sometimes, friends just need to eat some chocolate cake. In the first story, Chick spends most of the time worrying while he and Fox are on a "quiet" boat ride. In the second one, Chick is afraid to open a cake box because he thinks it might contain a chocolate cake, which will make him sick if he eats it all at once. And in the third one, Fox is up early and ready to enjoy a beautiful sunrise, but Chick's delays prompt them to wait for the sunset. The pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations are perfect accompaniments for the story, and will prompt readers to ask for more please.

[Shaye Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this feel-good series with Fox and Chick. Just as before, the book is divided into short individual stories: The Quiet Boat Ride, Chocolate Cake, and The Sunrise. Chick is highly imaginative on the boat ride, anxious about the chocolate cake, and completely overthinks preparation for the sunrise. Fox is the kind, patient, and mature friend who guides Chick through each episode helping to find solutions and comfort. Every Fox and Chick book makes me smile/giggle through the stories. Too sweet! The soothing illustrations in this book were rendered in pen, ink, and watercolor.

For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the actual stories, but found Chick's personality to be a little distracting, and a tad annoying. I can understand stories about characters with different personalities, but in this book, I never saw anything about Chick's personality that made their friendship at all believable, other than perhaps their shared love of chocolate cake. Even then, though, it seemed like Chick had to be taught a lot of basic things, like manners, like not being greedy, like not keeping your friend from doing things...and Fox is shown as putting up with him, but we never find out why he does.
Still, with lines like "I am not fond of sea monsters," the book had a lot going for it.
I am a bit puzzled why it's in picture book format rather than made up as a beginning reader, but it's okay this way.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in graphic novel/comic book style, The Quiet Boat Ride is a good book for early readers. While some of the words are long for early readers, I think the story contains enough interest that those early readers would be motivated to learn words like sea monsters, pirates, and shipwrecks. Sergio Ruzzier used pen, ink, and watercolor to create the cartoon-like illustrations.
There would be no problem with adding The Quiet Boat Ride and Other Stories to my K-12 Christian School library. I will be including it in my Mock Caldecott unit this fall.
I received a copy of The Quiet Boat Ride and Other Stories because I am a member of the Land Of Enchantment Committee. This is my honest review.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I've found my new favorite short chapter-book stories like Frog and Toad or Elephant & Piggie. They are Fox + Chick, two great friends who will explain when one is scared of something, who will show patience when trying to get to a hill to see a sunrise, and who will bring (and share) a chocolate cake so the other won't be sick. I'll leave it to you the reader to figure out who is who. The simple pictures don't miss a needed expression or a more-detailed setting. They are just perfect, like their friendship.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are simple and sweet but really drive home the message that friends don't always see eye-to-eye, but those differences complement each other. The stories in this book remind me of the Frog and Toad series by Arnold Lobel, where each situation shows the give-and-take and the patient affection each of them have for each other. The comic book style illustrations help tell the stories frame by frame.

[Roben · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fox & Chick are back! They go on a boat ride, worry about chocolate cake, and try to watch a sunrise. Fox is ever-patient; Chick is a bit caught up with worrying - but they remain fast friends. I love everything Ruzzier writes and illustrates - but Fox & Chick are delightfully wonderful. And prove that chocolate cake does, indeed, make everything better. I can't wait for the next installment!

[Becky B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fox and Chick go for a quiet boat ride that stresses Chick out, Chick gets a chocolate cake which worries him, and then they go to watch the sunrise.

Fox and Chick have developed a much more even friendship in this book than in the first. (Though Fox still is the one keeping things running.) Chick's antics will drive some crazy while make others laugh. I like the odd pastel colors of the background. Hand this to beginning readers who like silly stories.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fox and chick are unlikely friends of very different dispositions.

Story 1: Fox tries to take a quiet boat ride but chick feels a little too anxious for the ride to be peaceful.
Story 2: Chick frets over opening a box for fear that it is chocolate cake and she will get sick from eating it all.
Story 3: Fox tries to watch the sunrise but it takes chick too long to get ready to go, so they have a different idea instead.

[Nadina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really quite liked this. It is 3 almost mini graphic novels (or okay 3 comic style stories) and they are a simple back and forth between the two characters. I will say they remind me a little of Elephant and Piggie, but I feel like in this case it works.
The illustrations are simple and free from distracting detail. Thebtext is also simple making it a great book for early readers to read on their own.
Just an over all good book that I would be quite likely to recommend.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second trio of short stories about Fox and Chick are just as satisfying as the first in this short chapter/beginning reader series.

In this collection, Fox brings Chick along for what was to be a quiet boat ride, a surprise spoiled, and a missed sunrise. As always, sweet, but not cloying, and to the point with a little humor added for good measure. Ruzzier's pen, ink and watercolor are just right for this pair of friends.

Highly Recommended for PreSchool-grade 2.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something about the fantastical yet simple illustrations in this comic-paneled gem that is enchanting. The lessons in these shorts are simple to digest (much like chocolate cake) and discuss. The images steal the show. This is one of my favorite of this year’s Sunshine State Young Readers Award Jr. picture books. Your youngest readers will have a great time recreating images from Chick’s wild imaginings.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this series - as much if not more than Mo Willems' Gerald and Piggie.
Everything you need to know is written on the cover flap.
Fox + Chick have many adventures together. Fox + Chick are funny. Fox + Chick don't always agree. Fox + Chick are friends.
Ok, you also need to know that the artwork is adorable.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three chapters and you get to know so much about Fox and Chick and their personalities and friendship in these humorous stories. this made me add a ____ & _____ shelve with series about friends reminiscent of George and Martha, Bear and Duck in Splendid Friend Indeed, Frog & Toad, and so many others.

[Gps · Rating 4 out of 5]

a charming set of stories...fun to read aloud, and I would think enjoyable for a new reader.

Chick is a bit annoying, and his behavior is quite predictable..a worry wart, who is afraid of challenges.
for Chick, it's great to have a friend like Fox who welcomes challenges, and has a sense of humor (he needs that with a friend like Chick).

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Fox and Chick get together for a boat ride, Chick makes up all sorts of scary scenarios about what "might happen" instead of enjoying the ride. Sergio Ruzzier has created a laugh-out-loud early reader in The Quiet Boat Ride and Other Stories. It is perfect for children who are just becoming independent readers. For ages 4 - 7.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Way to stinking cute!

Make way Pooh Bear and Piglet, Frog and Toad, Elephant and Piggie,--a new duo is in town. Chick is a worrier, Fox is sometimes exasperated but they are best friends. The friendship isn't equal (chick is a little annoying and causes fox to miss out on some things) but it is real and may teach kids who are anxious that it is ok to LET GO and enjoy the moment.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes I enjoy books about adorable and exasperating little creatures and sometimes I am reminded of how annoying they can be. Sadly tonight I was in the latter phase and while I enjoyed the art and smiled at the story I was uncomfortable at how giving tree like fox was as she sacrificed her pleasures for chick.