First thing I’ve got to say: This is NOT a simple, boring counting book. It is, as a reviewer for School Library Journal states, “Stunning…brilliantly colored…striking… [with] Just the right amount of tension, delicious vocabulary…”
The attention to detail is fabulous, with the front end papers leading the way.
Text/Illustrations ⓒKate Read
The tension begins even before the story officially opens, because that fox is clearly up to no good.
The counting begins on the first spread with “One famished fox,” the word “famished” adding to the tension. The word choice in this story is, indeed, delicious—and so apropos for the subject matter. When a fox is hungry, what does it want to do?
In the next spread, the camera zooms in on the head of the fox on the left hand page, with the text “Two sly eyes” on the right hand side. And—oh! What’s that? A telltale feather lying underneath the text, matching the color of the number “2.”
Spread three features “Three plump hens” focusing on scratching up a meal of their own. Poor worms. But, oh, the fox! Whom do you think that sly fox is stalking?
Spread four is fabulous, with slightly less than the top half of the spread showing “Four padding paws” silently making their way along a line of chicken wire. Uh oh….the fox is getting closer!
Then spread five where the hens (and their eggs) are snoozing inside the dark coop.
Spread six is masterful.
Text/Illustrations ⓒKate Read
Note the six paw tracks. Count them to draw out the suspense. Then ask: is it possible for that fox to be as large as that chicken coop? What does this exaggerated perspective add to the story?
Jumping ahead, the extended, curled tongue in the tenth spread displays the fox’s anticipated pleasure at eating those chickens. I can almost feel and taste the feathers, too. And those teeth!
Text/Illustrations ⓒKate Read
I’m going to leave the story right there, because this book is indeed a suspense-filled thriller with a perfect surprise ending that says something about strength in numbers (but I won’t get political and point my fingers at a large group of folks who chickened out on taking a stand for democracy).
I’ll just say that we have a wonderfully-talented debut author-illustrator in our midst: Kate Read, who’s aptly named, don’t you think? I look forward to reading more of her work down the road.
Activities:
Fold an origami fox (easy version)
Fold an origami fox (medium difficulty)
Pair this book with THE PLOT CHICKENS by Mary Jane Auch for lessons on story writing (or to add even more laughs to your reading time)
Talk about examples where “strength in numbers” may help an individual or a cause.
Title: One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller
Author/Illustrator: Kate Read
Publisher: Peachtree Publishing, 2019
Ages: Prek-5th grade (great for older kids in teaching story structure.)
Themes: Counting concept book, strength in numbers, story structure
For more perfect picture book recommendations, visit Susanna Hill’s blog. Stay tuned next week for a review of a stellar STEM book for Women’s History Month! Cheers!
Jilanne Hoffmann 
Omg this looks amazing, I’m crossing my fingers going my library has it already!
I hope you can find it! If your library doesn’t have it, please suggest it. It’s so, so good!
This looks beautiful and sounds Ah-mazing! Is the first image you shared the end papers? I love it!
Yes, the front end papers are the paw prints, and the back end papers are the chickens. Perfect bookends for this story. And it’s a debut!!! I think we’re going to see more great things coming from Kate Read!
This really looks great! Can’t wait to see it!
And the one with the paw prints is breathtaking! Love, love, love!
Yes, the paw prints are awesome, and I really love how she captured the way chickens spread out as they rest on their nests. So perfect!
Something about the illustrations takes me back to my childhood and a few irresistible picture books I poured over again and again. And… happiness! My library owns a copy! Oh, happy day!!!
Yay! I think you’ve touched on something. The illustrations have a kind of folktale feel. They’re not afraid to be a bit scary, something kids love. What is called a frisson of fear.
I look forward to reading this. Thanks for sharing.
yay! Make sure you read it with some kids. They’re gonna LOVE the suspense!
Touche! A devious red fox, hmm reminds of . . . Right, a #PPBF review. I saw this book during the Cybils. It is well done and I chuckled at your comment of the size of the fox & the hen house. Glad you highlighted it. Great activities, too!
Thanks, Maria. I love this author/illustrator’s work, and I find myself wondering when her next book is coming out…..not that I’m impatient or anything.
I just checked this one out from my library and love it so much! The vibrant colors, the fox’s personality, and the plot twist all make this one a winner!
It is! I’m so glad you have it!
Fantastic review. I’ve put in a request at my “local” – as I must find out whether that sly fox got his meal or was foiled by some savvy chicks!
Heh heh….I think you will love it!
What a fun and clever counting book. This looks perfect for my great grandson. I especially enjoyed reading your review — just the right amount of tension to intrigue us.
I still love reading it, although I know how it ends. The text and illustrations are just so engaging. And I don’t think of it primarily as a counting book, because I’m so wrapped up in the story it is telling. Brilliant! I think your grandson will love it, too!
This is wild. So cool calling it a thriller!
The thrill is real, along with those teeth. Hope you get a chance to read it!
I love a bit of drama in my books, this one looks great, the artwork but also the tension you mention. I fancy a crack at the origami too.
I was going to add an origami chicken tutorial, but the ones I found seemed a little too difficult for the picture book crowd. Although my son managed to make millions of cranes when he was in 1st and 2nd grade, so I shouldn’t underestimate the dexterity of small fingers. And regarding drama: it’s fantastic in books, not so fantastic in real life. I hope you and your family stay well during this pandemic season.
Well the joy of that is that the government in Ph have decided to lock Manila down so when we fly over we will have to stay with a friend for at least a few weeks, which is a bit of a shame but at least it will be something different.