Fox and Fluff [Library Binding]

Shutta Crum (Author), John Bendall-Brunello (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Fox is a tough guy. He's big. He's bad. He eats chickens. Fluff is little. Fluff is round and soft. Fluff's a chick. And he knows his papa when he sees him--Fox. So what's Fox to do when Fluff comes into his life, pecks him on the cheek, calls him "Papa," and won't leave? With his reputation on the line, Fox takes on the challenge of fatherhood--and finds out how much he has to offer.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2-Fox is a normal, meat-eating predator until a chick hatches in front of him and calls him Papa. He tries to explain that he is not the youngster's papa, that he eats chicks. He starts to pop it into his mouth when he decides, "OK, Fluff, or whatever your name is-. Today's your lucky day. I'm just gonna walk away and forget we ever met, see? Have a great life, kiddo!" However, Fluff follows him wherever he goes, much to the amusement of the other animals and the ruination of his reputation. In desperation, Fox takes the little orphan to the local henhouse so he can learn how to be a proper chicken, but after he is cast out for terrorizing the hens, and Fox realizes how much he misses him, the two go back to the forest together. The colorful illustrations are amusing, as the undaunted chick refuses to give up, and the fox comes around. However, the use of slang is awkward at times and is not completely convincing. The story is a little contrived and stiff, but young readers will enjoy the humor.
Kristin de Lacoste, South Regional Public Library, Pembroke Pines, FL
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 1. When a passing farm cart drops an egg right in his path, Fox looks at the fluffy chick popping out and thinks, "Snack!" But the chick looks at Fox and thinks, "Papa." If being called papa wasn't enough to make Fox lose his appetite, getting a cute little peck on the chin surely does the trick. When Fox decides to give the chick a break and go about his business, Fluff follows along, imitating everything Fox does and getting in the way. So Fox sends Fluff to the henhouse, to be brought up properly, but Fluff has taken Fox's example to heart and is evicted for terrorizing the other animals. That's just as well, because it turns out Fox has been miserable alone; he's even turned into a vegetarian. Children will enjoy this tale of an unlikely friendship between a fox with a conscience and a spunky chick, accompanied by lively, loose-lined watercolor-and-pencil artwork that reflects the humor of the goings-on. Lauren Peterson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Albert Whitman & Company (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0807525448
• ISBN-13: 978-0807525449
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,494,604 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars F is for FUN!, October 20, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Fox and Fluff (Library Binding)

Fox is the biggest, baddest guy on the block...until fiesty Fluff hatches, imprints on Fox, and starts emulating his reluctant father figure. Peep by peep, Fluff chirps his way into Fox's heart...and the reader's! It's hard to find books that support a vegetarian lifestyle without bopping you over the head with their message, but this is one vegetarian book you can sink your teeth into. WIth adorable art by John Bendall Brunello, this story is destined to become a favorite for meat and plant eaters, alike!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars There's hardly any fluff in it!, October 18, 2002

By 

Fred Wolven (Homestead, Florida USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fox and Fluff (Library Binding)

Shutta Crum's at it again, and this time - with Fox and Fluff - she's already earned The Oppenheim Group Plantinum Medal for it!

Fox and Fluff is a fun read for 3-8 year olds. This is a story about a not so tough fox and a motherless chick; naturally the wise Fox adopts Fluff - the cuddly chick and all works out after a nearly disasterous adventure. The Oppenheims are right; our 3 and 6 year olds both were held by the natural, rhythmic flow of this story. Of course, the 3 year old kept asking questions about why Fox did this, why Fluff didn't have a mother, etc. That is just all the more reason to share this beautiful little tale that is wonderfully illustrated with youngsters.

What a delight it is to see each of Crum's now three published books reach out and catch and hold children. And she has several more scheduled out in the coming months! Once you pick it up you'll want to share it, and once a youngster hears it or reads it they'll want to enjoy it again. Yes, the most critical panel has resistered - the kids like Fox and Fluff. Yours will too. This is a must have in the home, in the classroom, in the library collection. Look forward to Crum's next book due early in the spring!

5.0 out of 5 stars Babysitting Success!, April 4, 2003

By 

Natalie (Waukesha, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fox and Fluff (Library Binding)

This is an adorable picture book. I was babysitting for a very restless four-year-old and was having difficulty getting him to sleep. I took out of stack of books to calm him down and he picked this one up right away. After reading this story, he insisted that I read it again! I ended up reading it to him three times, and he said he enjoyed it much more than the other books we had read that night. When he was leaving, he asked me, "Could you please order that book for me?!" Shutta Crum has a very special talent as an author, and does an excellent job writing for the young audience of 'Fox and Fluff'.