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4.24 AVERAGE
4.24 AVERAGE
A storyteller tells a scary story to a litter of fox kits. The story is broken into multiple parts. This book is just creepy enough to fit into scary stories but not too bad to give nightmares. I would recommend this for younger chapter book readers. Be aware that there are discussions of animal deaths.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved it, but it's possibly not for everyone. The scariness was realistic rather than supernatural, and I appreciated the ending.
Really probably 4.5 stars. This book surprised me and isn't something I normally would pick up but I'm so glad I did. For Write-On camp the author was coming to visit so I told my sister I would listen/read it. We listened as a family and two thumbs way up. So good. So sad and yet really really really great. I just want to remember Henry sitting in the car cheering Uly and Mia on - all of us so engrossed that we didn't want to get out.
I could have done without Beatrix Potter, who was a real person, being a villain. It was very weird and random and probably would have been better with a made-up author/illustrator instead.
Loved it! Have listened to him speak a handful of times and he is so terrific always!
Oh how I love this book! Heidicker is a genius. It was fun to reread this for a book club discussion and see other adults love this book and Heidicker's writing.
Original Review:
I don't think I've ever read a book like this before. I had the amazing opportunity to hear the author speak about it at a recent librarian conference I attended (for me the highlight of the whole day.) He categorized his book as "National Geographic horror," which I thought entirely appropriate seeing how everything these foxes go through could happen (and often does) in real life. It was also genius on Heidicker's part to have these experiences tie to our own monsters--vampires, zombies, witches, ghosts, etc. Creative, unique, engaging, intense, and a story that stays with you. I also will not be able to read The Tale of Peter Rabbit with innocence ever again. Just saying.
2020 Popsugar Reading Challenge #21 A book published the month of your birthday. (July)
Original Review:
I don't think I've ever read a book like this before. I had the amazing opportunity to hear the author speak about it at a recent librarian conference I attended (for me the highlight of the whole day.) He categorized his book as "National Geographic horror," which I thought entirely appropriate seeing how everything these foxes go through could happen (and often does) in real life. It was also genius on Heidicker's part to have these experiences tie to our own monsters--vampires, zombies, witches, ghosts, etc. Creative, unique, engaging, intense, and a story that stays with you. I also will not be able to read The Tale of Peter Rabbit with innocence ever again. Just saying.
2020 Popsugar Reading Challenge #21 A book published the month of your birthday. (July)
I did not expect this to be so good. Horror isn't my thing (see the copious amount of romance novels I consume), and this was certainly difficult to listen to. I listened to this for class and for my final paper for that class, and it's definitely given me a lot of material to work with (it deserves an extra star just for that lol). This book uses anthropomorphism to teach kids about a lot of difficult topics in such a compelling way. Remember how I said horror isn't my thing, and I prefer romance?
Spoiler
There is an actual HEA!
"That's where the old storyteller lives. If you go there, you'll hear a story so frightening it will put the white in your tail."
Not for the faint of heart, especially if you have a soft heart for animals. Beautifully written and the tales were woven together nicely.