Fox by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks

Fox written by Margaret Wild. (Published 2008). 27 unnumbered pgs. L500. RL 3.6 Int Lvl k-3. This story of friendship tells about a magpie who becomes friends with a dog until their relationship is pulled apart by a duplicitous fox.

KIRKUS REVIEW
Ambiguities and rawly expressionistic art turn this tale of friendship and temptation from the creators of Rosie and the Tortoise (1999) into a strongly atmospheric psycho-fable. Though permanently grounded by a burnt wing, Magpie discovers that riding atop her friend, one-eyed Dog, as he runs through the bush feels—almost—the same: “ ‘FLY, DOG, FLY! I will be your missing eye, and you will be my wings.’ ” When a fox comes into the picture, offering Magpie more speed, desire overcomes loyalty—but after an exhilarating ride the fox leaves her far out in the desert, saying, “ ‘Now you and Dog will know what it is like to be truly alone.’ ” Brooks hand-lettered the text in large, irregular lines that sometimes change direction, and creates semi-abstract, strongly colored scenes of scored, combed, thickly applied paint. It’s visually striking, but closing with Magpie just beginning to “jiggety-hop” her way back to Dog after hearing an ominous, distant scream, it’s really more of an open-ended discussion starter than a conventionally constructed story. (Australian Children’s Book Council’s Picture Book of the Year) (Picture book. 9-12)

I came across this book quite by accident for a writing project in my classroom. What a hidden treasure! We read and reread it several times as my students created their literary essays emulating from the three distinctly different characters. What was amazing though, was my students conversations about their own friendships in life and how they all need to be careful when temptation presents itself. This book relates to so many areas in kids' lives today: friendship, temptation, motivation, struggles, and perseverance. This treasure is worth its weight in gold.

Posted by Liz Stafford