Little Fox

June 8, 2020
This meandering story-within-a-story by Dutch writer van de Vendel (The Little Dog That Nino Didn’t Have) begins as Little Fox roams through scrubby beach dunes. He chases two butterflies (“because they’re purple”), plunges off a rise, and lies still, apparently stunned. The kit’s whole life passes before him; in a captivating interlude, he recalls his infancy, his discovery of the world, and the joy of playing with his siblings. “In the dream, daddy fox tells Little Fox not to be so curious. Daddy says, ‘Too nosy is dead nosy.’ ” Sure enough, nosiness gets Little Fox into trouble, and a child helps him extricate his head from a glass bottle. Back in the present, the fox has a strange experience: he “sees himself lying there. That’s funny.” The child from the dream appears, carrying Little Fox and trailed by other creatures in what looks like a funeral procession. At the last minute, though, Little Fox revives. Winsome drawings by Tolman (What Dog Knows), of Little Fox and his companions, are placed against austere photographs of dunes and woods. Van de Vendel and Tolman’s tale is, on its face, an engaging vulpine autobiography; deeper down, it’s a journey to the border between life and death. Ages 4–8.

Narrator Helen Lloyd tells the story of Little Fox as he dreams about his life, recalling the joy of some of his first memories with his parents and siblings, along with some of the challenges of growing up. Lloyd's soothing voice complements the story's overall pleasant tone, though it becomes small and fearful when Little Fox finds himself in a difficult situation. The musical background creates a relaxing aesthetic throughout the happy moments and becomes more dramatic when obstacles appear before Little Fox. Listeners will be mesmerized by Little Fox's venture into the world as he enjoys all the little things life has to offer while also learning important lessons to stay safe and well. M.D. � AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine