How to Find a Fox

A determined child attempts to find an elusive fox and learns that perseverance is rewarded.Magruder's debut picture book addresses readers directly as "you," the digital pictures showing a black child with big, curly hair in a purple shirt and yellow shorts and shoes and sporting a yellow backpack, camera at the ready (more than one reader will be reminded of Dora the Explorer). The book accompanies the child as the narrator relates the sometimes tongue-in-cheek directions on how to find a fox: "Find a fox hole. Any fox hole will do. The best foxes are at home when you visit." But this fox isn't the cooperative type. In fact, it's pretty crafty. Even when the child deploys the "fox bait," aka chicken leg, it waits until the child moves on before snatching it. As the child continues the search, readers will be beside themselves, yelling that "it's right there!" but the child doesn't spy it until after climbing a tree, and even then, it gets away before the descent is accomplished. The child is discouraged but perseveres, because "Some days, a fox doesn't want to be found. Some days, he wants to find YOU!" Magruder's protagonist displays an emotional range that matches the beats of the quest, from excitement and determination to anger, boredom, and dismay, and young children will feel them in tandem. Readers will want to put these instructions to use right away. (Picture book. 3-7) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2016

PreS-K-This is a simple but charming tale about a girl who is determined to photograph an elusive fox. Magruder is an animator and comic illustrator who creates her artwork digitally. The narrative is perfectly paced, and readers feel the child's growing frustration as the fox continually outsmarts and evades her. She searches for the fox high and low, setting traps with cooked chicken legs and climbing trees. Finally, she waits patiently, exhausted, on her back in the grass, at which point the fox comes to her and her diligence is rewarded with a series of fun pictures of the two of them together. The illustrations vary and are very engaging, and there is just enough text to tell the story. VERDICT A great read-aloud and a recommended purchase.-Sarah Wilsman, Bainbridge Library, Chagrin Falls, OH

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2016
Preschool-G An intrepid girl with a camera and a knapsack sets out with one goal in mind: finding a fox. First, she looks in a fox hole. Then, when the fox isn't home, she sets out a treat and waits. And waits. When that fails, she embarks on other projects, like taking a photo of a raccoon family (plus one disguised interloper). Each time, she's foiled in her attempts to spot her sneaky quarry, but a surprise ending reveals that she's not the only one searching. An award-winning comics artist, Magruder makes her picture-book debut with this tale full of humorous visual clues that will get kids giggling. The pint-size photographer might not see how close the fox really is, but little ones will catch on quickly, and they'll be easily charmed by the girl's increasingly exasperated facial expressions and the narrator's humorous interjections ( Kick a rock. No, wait. Not that one. Kick a smaller rock ). The warm colors and action-rich spreads are lively and entertaining, and the cheer-worthy ending is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)