2018 School Spending Survey Report
Fox's Garden
illus. by Princesse Camcam. 32p. Enchanted Lion. 2014. Tr $14.95. ISBN 9781592701674.
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PreS-Gr 1—In this wordless picture book, a fox enters a small town, looking for shelter. She is chased away by villagers but eventually finds refuge in an abandoned greenhouse. A little boy finds the fox and gives her and her newborn pups a basket of food. The fox family then returns the kindness by planting a magical garden inside the boy's room while he sleeps. The story is brief and simple enough for toddlers, but the beauty of its artwork will capture a much wider audience. Camcam's cut-paper illustrations add to the mystical elements of the work. The boy's bedroom is particularly impressive, with three-dimensional furniture and detailed toys; every item in the room looks as fragile and delicate as the wonderful magic that the fox has given to the boy. The panoramic style of the pictures makes this title ideal for a lap-sit storytime, and it will be a delight to read and to share.—Peter Blenski, Greenfield Public Library, WIWhile his parents show only disdain, a boy is intrigued by a fox who takes up residence in the family's greenhouse. Later, the boy's quiet act of kindness yields an unexpected reward. With invitingly short and wide dimensions, this wordless book from France stands out for its exceptional, inventively lit illustrations of one snowy evening.
Filled with wonder and enchantment, the tale is illustrated with beautiful and intricate cut-paper dioramas. Dark forests, warmly lit rooms, and a glass-paneled greenhouse come to life in three dimensions. The wordless format brings readers deep into the story’s world; they feel the hush of the dark, snowy night alongside the fox as it searches for shelter. Children can improvise words as they go, or simply let Princess Camcam’s entrancing artwork wash over them. A striking, mostly monochromatic color palette enhances the mood and provides subtle plot clues. The snowy night is stark white and shades of blue and gray, as are the adults who shoo away the fox. Only a young boy’s clothes feature color—in a similar shade of russet as the fox. At the story’s heart is a simple act of generosity. It’s a sweet, uplifting reminder of the importance of kindness—magical in and of itself.
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