{"id":36913,"date":"2020-02-21T23:56:08","date_gmt":"2020-02-22T03:56:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=36913"},"modified":"2020-02-21T23:56:08","modified_gmt":"2020-02-22T03:56:08","slug":"review-of-scary-stories-for-young-foxes-by-christian-mckay-heidicker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sonderbooks.com\/blog\/?p=36913","title":{"rendered":"Review of Scary Stories for Young Foxes, by Christian McKay Heidicker"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Scary Stories for Young Foxes<\/em><\/p>\n

by Christian McKay Heidicker<\/p>\n

Henry Holt and Company, 2019. 314 pages.
\nReview written November 26, 2019, from a library book
\n2020 John Newbery Honor<\/p>\n

This is a book of an old fox telling scary stories to a family of young foxes. One by one, the kits are too scared and leave the storytelling, until only one is left. The storyteller is correct \u2013 it\u2019s worth staying to hear the end of the stories.<\/p>\n

But these are truly scary stories \u2013 too scary for me! There\u2019s an abusive fox-father in a really disturbing situation, and there\u2019s the \u201cyellow smell\u201d that infects foxes so they go crazy and attack other foxes, spreading the \u201cyellow smell.\u201d We follow the stories of two young fox kits in particular who lose the protection of their mothers.<\/p>\n

One story made me laugh, though \u2013 because the truly horrific villain of that story is \u2013 Beatrix Potter!<\/p>\n

That\u2019s right, it turns out that Beatrix liked to paint woodland creatures from life. We all knew that, right? Well, according to this author, after she\u2019d finished her paintings for a story, she didn\u2019t set the animal free. No, she\u2019d kill it with ether, then skin it and eat the meat. She\u2019d stuff the skin and keep the stuffed creature in her home. All that is truly horrific for a young fox trapped in a cage in her house who witnesses what happens to a rabbit she\u2019s been painting. So when Beatrix begins painting the fox, she has reason to be afraid!<\/p>\n

But I will never look at Beatrix Potter books the same way again!<\/p>\n

This is a well-written book. And lots of kids love scary stories. I never happened to be one of them, but next time a kid asks me for a scary book, I have another option. And I was very glad I read all the way to the end.<\/p>\n

Added note after learning this is a Newbery Honor book: I approve! The book really is well-crafted, and it’s distinctive and unusual. I still say it’s a better choice for kids who like scary stories than it would have been for me as a child. But I agree that it’s distinguished.<\/p>\n

cmheidicker.com<\/a>
\nmackids.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy from Amazon.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Find this review on Sonderbooks<\/a> at: www.sonderbooks.com\/Childrens_Fiction\/scary_stories_for_young_foxes.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Disclosure: I am an Amazon Affiliate, and will earn a small percentage if you order a book on Amazon after clicking through from my site.<\/p>\n

Source: This review is based on a library book from Fairfax County Public Library.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am a professional librarian, but I maintain my website and blogs on my own time. The views expressed are solely my own, and in no way represent the official views of my employer or of any committee or group of which I am part.<\/p>\n

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