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Saturday, October 19, 2024

Fox Is Coming. Co-written by James Patterson and co-written and illustrated by Joe Kukla. Little, Brown and Company, Hachette. 2024. $24.99 ages 3 and up

 


"Racing, racing! 
Steal a glance. 

Fox is trailing. 
Now's our chance!
"

Fox is definitely interested in the goings-on at the farm. The wee chicks are aware of his presence, and are keen to find a place to hide. First, they hide by the cows. Fox can't see them, but is keen to find where they have gone. Attaching his neckerchief to a long stick, and throwing it over his shoulder, he continues his search. 

The other animals don't seem bothered by Fox being in their environs; the chicks are certainly concerned. It isn't long before Fox catches up with one little chicken. It is captured and stuffed in his hobo sack. Suitably scared, the others race away.  A hollow log offers no protection, nor does the pigs' mud bath. Fox continues gathering them up, despite their best efforts to escape. 

No matter where they hide, Fox seems to have special radar for hunting them down. The last one is headed straight for the chicken coop. 

"Last one! Last one!
To my pen! 

Almost there ... 
almost.
But then ... 

Fox picks the last one up. It's too late, or is it? I'll leave the last laugh for a captivated audience to discover. 

Simple rhyming couplets keep the action moving forward, while colorful artwork keeps up the suspense. Full of expression and action for both fox and chicks, the ever-changing perspectives assure careful attention and gleeful shouts for caution as the chase ensues. 

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