The Fox Wish

January 23, 2017
Roxie forgets her jump rope in a nearby park, and when she returns with her brother to look for it, she finds that it’s been claimed by a litter of fox kits. Rendered in Sakai’s (Hannah’s Night) careful, natural style, the paintings of jump-roping foxes are adorably realistic as the animals struggle with a problem: “They were good jumpers, but their tails kept getting caught in the rope.” “Well,” Roxie advises, “just keep your tail straight up your back.” When they’ve finished playing, Roxie reaches for her jump rope, but there’s a mix-up. The smallest kit is also named Roxie, and she explains that she wished for a game to play before coming to the park: “This rope was just hanging there,” she continues, “from a branch, with my name on it and everything, just a little wish come true!” Putting the fox’s happiness before her own, Roxie surrenders her rope without a murmur. Aman’s blend of fantasy and the gentle moral nudge toward generosity will linger in readers’ minds, as will the bewitching vision of baby foxes jumping rope. Ages 3–5.

Starred review from February 15, 2017
Wishes come true in this story of an unexpected, interspecies friendship imported from Japan.A light-skinned blonde girl and her little brother go to the park to find the jump-rope they left there earlier. As they approach a clearing in the wood, they come upon a group of baby foxes happily engaged in jumping rope. The foxes are singing a jumping rhyme; "Doxy, foxy, / touch the ground. / Doxy, foxy, / turn around. / Turn to the east, / and turn to the west, / and choose the one that / you like best." Soon children and foxes are playing happily together. The little girl notices that her name, "Roxie" is painted on the handle of the rope. One of the foxes, also named Roxie, believes the rope is hers, assuming that the rope has come to her because she wished for it. The girl decides not to reclaim the rope, allowing the fox to believe her wish has come true. It's a charming, unlikely tale, made appealing by Sakai's sensitive artwork in lustrous acrylics and grease pencil, embellished with striking fine magenta ballpoint touches. The subtle coloration perfectly complements the simple language; the sky turns "peachy" as the sun sets, and the "light was golden and the air was warm" as the happy children run home. Although most American readers will miss the folkloric resonance Japanese readers will no doubt feel, that does not lessen in any way its impact. A sweet, compelling yarn that perfectly captures the archetypal childhood synthesis of fantasy and reality. (Picture book. 2-4)

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March 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 1-Siblings Roxie and Lukie venture back to the park they left earlier to search for Roxie's jump rope. Much to their surprise, they come across a group of fox pups using it in their own game. As Roxie attempts to retrieve the jump rope, the children learn that it had been a wish come true for the littlest fox; her name is Roxie, too, just like the painted name on the rope's handle. Wishes are a powerful thing, and granting them may foment even more generosity. Aman chooses her words deliberately and paces the narrative carefully. But it is Sakai's pencil, pen, and acrylic illustrations that give the tale its believability. Wide-eyed and cherubic, Lukie and Roxie evoke the work of Eloise Wilkin without any of the sentimentality, and the cavorting foxes are magically airborne without any anthropomorphism. VERDICT A strong addition that is perfect for a small group storytime or a quiet moment one-on-one with a favorite wish granter.-Lisa Lehmuller, Paul Cuffee Maritime Charter School, Providence

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