Synopsis
In northern Alaska a female red fox is busy with her newborn litter, while her mate hunts for them both. As the first five pups grow, they are eager to venture farther outside the den. But for now the biggest challenge is to decide who's boss. So the siblings begin weeks of fighting that will determine their place in the order. Only then can the lively youngsters play, developing their survival and hunting skills as they prepare to leave home one day.
School Library Journal
Gr 1-3-A close-up look at a family of red foxes. The story begins with the female finding a mate and giving birth. The focus then shifts to her pups as they learn the skills they'll need as adults, e.g., the play behavior that imitates hunting. The text is written in clear, accessible language. There are a few difficult terms (musty, urine), but all are fairly easy to understand in context. Attractive, full-color photos appear throughout. A concluding "Did You Know?" section contains more facts about foxes, such as the average number of pups in a litter. While basic information is presented, nothing is covered in much depth, so this is not the best choice for reports. Baby Fox will appeal most strongly to browsers, who will enjoy this overview of the animal's life.-Arwen Marshall, Minneapolis Public Library Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.