Red Fox Running - Hardcover

PreSchool-Grade 3-Bunting draws readers into the winter world of a red fox. In a simple, rhyming text-eight short lines per page-its quest for food unfolds. Suspense builds as it runs through the snow encountering other woodland creatures (will one become its prey?). As night falls, the animal wearies and becomes vulnerable itself. Finally, a meal is captured-details of the kill are discreetly omitted from both text and illustrations-and the creature staggers home with its "prize" to a cozy den and hungry cubs. The serious topic brings to mind a documentary, but the verse and fine watercolor paintings heighten its drama. Sweeping landscapes dominated by snowy ground, bleak skies, and rich evergreens appear regularly on double-page spreads that alternate comfortably with the sedately framed white pages of measured text. Compelling closeups of the wildlife are appropriately naturalistic and marvelously textured. Overall, Bunting provides an unromanticized glimpse of survival in the wild. Her lyrical language and Minor's large-format art render this an ideal choice to read aloud or independently.
Valerie Lennox, Jacksonville Public Library, FL
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.