"This comical early reader, expressed in understated sentences and simple vocabulary, will charm youngsters; they’ll giggle at Fox’s outlandish “big ideas” and the havoc they wreak. Onomatopoeic sound words heighten the fun. Caldecott Honoree Tabor’s wry illustrations are muted, set against uncluttered backgrounds, allowing kids to focus on the characters and the humorous proceedings. Children will have no problem enjoying this delightfully witty book." — Kirkus Reviews

"Tabor uses short sentence structure and word repetition to help young readers become more confident in their reading ability. His pencil-and watercolor illustrations tell most of the story and bring Fox’s latest antics to comical heights. An amusing tale with minimal text that will encourage multiple readings." — Booklist

"Everyone’s favorite fox is back! The engaging text features common sight words and repetitive phrases. Tabor’s signature pencil and watercolor illustrations are as charming as ever, with a cast of appealing characters engaged in comical antics. A welcome and valuable addition to any early reader collection, sure to be popular with fans of the series in addition to newcomers." — School Library Journal

"Tabor is skilled at letting a controlled vocabulary and tight sentences play it straight while his illustrations bring the comedy. Short statements that lean on sight words and repetition read like wry commentary on Fox’s antics, which are made plain in Tabor’s colored-pencil and watercolor illustrations. Readers [will] be giggling in anticipation of exactly how badly this is all going to end." — The Horn Book

2023-05-10
Problem-solving is complicated.

Fox’s problem: A kite has gotten tangled in a tree. Fox’s big idea? Hauling over a huge fan whose enormous wind power loosens not only that kite, but also other kites as well as leaves on nearby trees. Someone else now has a problem—those items have filled Bear’s den. Fox’s next big idea involves using a powerful vacuum cleaner to suck up the den’s detritus. It also engulfs Bear, who hilariously fills the overstuffed vacuum bag. A new problem arises for Rabbit, whose burrow’s entrance is blocked by the gigantic bag. So, brandishing a sharp pin, Fox pricks the bag, and it pops, unblocking the burrow but strewing its contents everywhere. One might believe everything’s now OK…but all the animals have a problem—with Fox—plus, every kite’s tangled in the trees again. Fox’s fed-up neighbors ask Fox to leave. But Elephant’s terrific big idea puts everything right. This comical early reader, expressed in understated sentences and simple vocabulary on nearly every page, will charm youngsters; they’ll giggle at Fox’s outlandish “big ideas” and the havoc they wreak. Onomatopoeic sound words heighten the fun. Caldecott Honoree Tabor’s wry illustrations, rendered in pencil, colored pencil, and watercolor and assembled digitally, are muted, set against uncluttered backgrounds, allowing kids to focus on the characters and the humorous proceedings.

Children will have no problem enjoying this delightfully witty book. (Early reader. 3-6)