Scary Stories for Young Foxes
Scary Stories for Young Foxes follows the adventures of Uly and Mia as they encounter disease, famine, predators, and hunters on their journey to find a new, safe home.
In these eight interconnected stories, the kits discover a dangerous world full of monsters. In order to find a den to call home, they must venture through field and forest, facing unspeakable things that dwell in the darkness: a zombie who hungers for their flesh, a witch who tries to steal their skins, a ghost who hunts them through the snow, and other things too scary to mention.
Christian McKay Heidicker did a great job weaving the stories together. Each was engaging in its own way and made me invested in Mia and Uly’s journey. Foxes are one of my favourite forest creatures, which was the main reason I bought this book, but there was so much more to it once I started reading it.
The illustrations were also well done. I liked how creepy they were and how they fed into that haunted aspect.
Uly’s deformed paw is a major part of his story. I liked how Heidicker wrote about Uly’s disability and how he learned how to use it to his advantage. He wasn’t a lesser fox and he proved he could provide for not only himself, but Mia as well.
Heidicker did a great job of creating a found family for Mia, Uly, and the orphaned fox kits. While Uly was gone hunting, Mia’s caring side blossomed as she looked after the kits. She was so brave when she went to search for the missing kits, and although one died, her motherly side really showed.
My only complaint about this story is the author’s choice to make Beatrix Potter a villain. I love Potter’s work, so to find her twisted into a person who captures animals, steals their souls, and then kills and stuffs them was disturbing. It tainted a beloved part of my childhood. I understand Potter’s purpose in Scary Stories, but it didn’t sit well with me.
Scary Stories is a haunting story of survival and friendship—a great book for young and old readers alike.
Scary Stories for Young Foxes Rating: ★★★★
In these eight interconnected stories, the kits discover a dangerous world full of monsters. In order to find a den to call home, they must venture through field and forest, facing unspeakable things that dwell in the darkness: a zombie who hungers for their flesh, a witch who tries to steal their skins, a ghost who hunts them through the snow, and other things too scary to mention.
Christian McKay Heidicker did a great job weaving the stories together. Each was engaging in its own way and made me invested in Mia and Uly’s journey. Foxes are one of my favourite forest creatures, which was the main reason I bought this book, but there was so much more to it once I started reading it.
The illustrations were also well done. I liked how creepy they were and how they fed into that haunted aspect.
Uly’s deformed paw is a major part of his story. I liked how Heidicker wrote about Uly’s disability and how he learned how to use it to his advantage. He wasn’t a lesser fox and he proved he could provide for not only himself, but Mia as well.
Heidicker did a great job of creating a found family for Mia, Uly, and the orphaned fox kits. While Uly was gone hunting, Mia’s caring side blossomed as she looked after the kits. She was so brave when she went to search for the missing kits, and although one died, her motherly side really showed.
My only complaint about this story is the author’s choice to make Beatrix Potter a villain. I love Potter’s work, so to find her twisted into a person who captures animals, steals their souls, and then kills and stuffs them was disturbing. It tainted a beloved part of my childhood. I understand Potter’s purpose in Scary Stories, but it didn’t sit well with me.
Scary Stories is a haunting story of survival and friendship—a great book for young and old readers alike.
Scary Stories for Young Foxes Rating: ★★★★