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bibliomaineiac's review against another edition
4.0
A fun story, written for children. A companion story, The Adventures of Mr. Mocker, was a childhood favorite that my mother read to me before I could read on my own. Then it became my first chapter book I read myself. After finding a couple others at a sale last year, I had to buy them. This one follows a naughty fox as, like many young males, he gets in trouble for not listening to his elder. Fun, simple, easy to read story. Maybe one day, I will have grandchildren to read it to.
ashleysbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
Both kids loved this story. There are a ton of characters, but the main ones are developed and fun to get to know. The lessons were simple, so the kids could see them. But they were not dumbed down or silly. Just great, classic literature, which teaches moral lessons and allows the reader to fall in love with reading.
Kai has been complaining a lot lately. Tonight we mentioned a few desserts, but then decided to go get Slurpees. He complained because he now wanted apple crisp. Well, we were reading this after and Reddy was whining to Granny Fox because she was making him move homes in the middle of the night. Reddy had not stayed inside like Granny told him to and Farmer Brown's boy saw him and discovered where they lived. Luckily Reddy got away, but Granny knew the boy would be back soon and that it was best for them to find a new home ASAP. Yet Reddy complained. I told Kai how this was like the dessert situation- complaining when someone is doing something nice for you. It was ridiculous when Reddy did it. It's ridiculous when he does it, in various situations. He thought about it and let it sink in. He didn't say anything, so I'm not sure what was going on in his head, but I'm hoping that next time he complains about something he can see some of the ridiculousness in it.
We also had a spiritual lesson because of the book. While reading scriptures, we came across the idea of Pride. That's a hard concept for little people, but they totally got it thanks to Reddy. Before the previously mentioned incident, Reddy tries to copy Granny, and trick a dog that is chasing him. She is cautious and wise and has learned many skills in her many years. Reddy thinks he can be as good as her and that he doesn't need to be careful. He doesn't pay attention to what is going on around him and runs right into the same boy with a gun. Luckily, he does get away, but his pride put him in a dangerous situation. The kids can relate to that!
So, yeah. Successful story! There are tons more, focusing on other characters. The kids are excited to read them. Me too!
Kai has been complaining a lot lately. Tonight we mentioned a few desserts, but then decided to go get Slurpees. He complained because he now wanted apple crisp. Well, we were reading this after and Reddy was whining to Granny Fox because she was making him move homes in the middle of the night. Reddy had not stayed inside like Granny told him to and Farmer Brown's boy saw him and discovered where they lived. Luckily Reddy got away, but Granny knew the boy would be back soon and that it was best for them to find a new home ASAP. Yet Reddy complained. I told Kai how this was like the dessert situation- complaining when someone is doing something nice for you. It was ridiculous when Reddy did it. It's ridiculous when he does it, in various situations. He thought about it and let it sink in. He didn't say anything, so I'm not sure what was going on in his head, but I'm hoping that next time he complains about something he can see some of the ridiculousness in it.
We also had a spiritual lesson because of the book. While reading scriptures, we came across the idea of Pride. That's a hard concept for little people, but they totally got it thanks to Reddy. Before the previously mentioned incident, Reddy tries to copy Granny, and trick a dog that is chasing him. She is cautious and wise and has learned many skills in her many years. Reddy thinks he can be as good as her and that he doesn't need to be careful. He doesn't pay attention to what is going on around him and runs right into the same boy with a gun. Luckily, he does get away, but his pride put him in a dangerous situation. The kids can relate to that!
So, yeah. Successful story! There are tons more, focusing on other characters. The kids are excited to read them. Me too!
jordantaylor's review against another edition
3.0
Thornton W. Burgess is best known as the author of the children's classic books about Peter Rabbit, or Peter Cottontail. He wrote a series of 20 children's books set in Peter Rabbit's forest, and this was the first, originally published in 1913.
Don't let the distant publication year stop you from reading this gem of children's literature. It certainly still deserves to be read! The book would be great for introducing young readers to longer books. The chapters are each about 3 pages long. I can also see this being an excellent read-aloud. Burgess also writes some character's speech in Southern accents, which would probably be confusing for beginning readers, who won't read something like "Ah'm gwan home" as "I'm going home."
This is the tale of Reddy Fox, who grows up in the forest in the care of Grandma Fox. Burgess doesn't hesitate to make his main character flawed and even a little... bad. Reddy would probably be cast as the villain if written from any of the other forest animal's points of view. Gentle and lovable Peter Rabbit reveals that Reddy had once tried to eat him, and we see Grandma Fox chase Peter Rabbit and try to kill him.
Reddy is arrogant, boastful, and selfish. He kills another animal for absolutely no reason but to show off how clever he is. He brags endlessly and doesn't seem to have any friends at all, he's annoyed the other woodland creatures so badly.
And yet, there is definitely a flashy likability about him, despite how ridiculous he is.
The book is surprisingly exciting. In many children's books, the sense of danger is often toned down, and the characters don't actually experience life-and-death moments. That is not the case with Thornton Burgess.
Reddy experiences plenty of danger (all of it due to his own foolish bragging and arrogance). He is hunted, shot and injured, must hide from gunmen, and more. Sometimes, it seems impossible that he will get away.
A clever little gem that has a well deserved place in classic children's literature.
Don't let the distant publication year stop you from reading this gem of children's literature. It certainly still deserves to be read! The book would be great for introducing young readers to longer books. The chapters are each about 3 pages long. I can also see this being an excellent read-aloud. Burgess also writes some character's speech in Southern accents, which would probably be confusing for beginning readers, who won't read something like "Ah'm gwan home" as "I'm going home."
This is the tale of Reddy Fox, who grows up in the forest in the care of Grandma Fox. Burgess doesn't hesitate to make his main character flawed and even a little... bad. Reddy would probably be cast as the villain if written from any of the other forest animal's points of view. Gentle and lovable Peter Rabbit reveals that Reddy had once tried to eat him, and we see Grandma Fox chase Peter Rabbit and try to kill him.
Reddy is arrogant, boastful, and selfish. He kills another animal for absolutely no reason but to show off how clever he is. He brags endlessly and doesn't seem to have any friends at all, he's annoyed the other woodland creatures so badly.
And yet, there is definitely a flashy likability about him, despite how ridiculous he is.
The book is surprisingly exciting. In many children's books, the sense of danger is often toned down, and the characters don't actually experience life-and-death moments. That is not the case with Thornton Burgess.
Reddy experiences plenty of danger (all of it due to his own foolish bragging and arrogance). He is hunted, shot and injured, must hide from gunmen, and more. Sometimes, it seems impossible that he will get away.
A clever little gem that has a well deserved place in classic children's literature.
summermsmith's review against another edition
5.0
The boys loved this book! I did too. It was a fun read-aloud. We are continuing on with the series.
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