View source for A New Home for Little Fox by Janet Bingham and Rosalind Beardshaw

{{infobox2 
|title=A New Home for Little Fox 
|author=Janet Bingham and Rosalind Beardshaw  
|reviewer=Sue Magee 
|genre=For Sharing 
|summary=A romanticised version of the countryside as Little Fox and Daddy visit all the other animals as they build their homes.  It's an amusing and light-hearted romp.  Cautiously recommended. 
|rating=3.5 
|buy=Maybe 
|borrow=Yes 
|pages=32
|publisher= Scholastic
|date=April 2008 
|isbn=978-1407104980
|aznuk=1407104985
|aznus=1407104985
|cover=1407104985 
|sort=New Home for Little Fox, A 
}}

I have to begin by admitting to a prejudice about this book.  I love stories about animals and particularly those that bring the countryside home to young readers.  I think the idea of looking at the different types of home each animal has is brilliant.  It's just that I can't help but laugh at foxes who walk as though they're treading grapes.

Right, now I've got that out of the way I'll tell you about the book.  Little Fox is out with his father when Daddy Fox hears a bird singing.  Sure enough, it's Mrs Finch building her nest.  Little Fox would like to live up in a tree but Daddy Fox points out that it's a long way to fall down.  As they walk through the countryside (treading grapes as they go) they meet all the animals busily making their new homes.  We see why the home is right for the animal – or bird – or fish and why it wouldn't be right for Daddy Fox and Little Fox.

It's a fun-filled book with lots of laughter and giggles as the pair meet all the animals and we gently ignore the fact that the fox's relationship with some would not be quite so friendly in reality.  It's a little twee in places with an emphasis on love rather than nature being 'red in tooth and claw'.

Ignoring the grape-treading foxes (I'm sorry, but they've made quite an impression on me) I liked Rosalind Beardshaw's illustrations.  She has a particular gift for catching facial expressions and every page is eye-catching without having to resort to overuse of primary colours.

I did like the fact that the book was about Daddy Fox and Little Fox and there's no 'Mummy' Fox in the picture to become the stereotypical caring parent.  The starring parts are taken by two males but I don't think this would put girls off the book.  In fact, it might be the boyish boys who are put off by all the home building, spring cleaning and love that's in the air.

I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.

For children interested in nature animal habitats we can recommend [[White Owl, Barn Owl by Nicola Davies]].  You might also appreciate [[Warduff and the Corncob Caper by Mat Head]].

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[[Category:Janet Bingham]]
[[Category:Rosalind Beardshaw]]