Fox & Rabbit Celebrate

March 1, 2021
Five more stories featuring buddy pair Fox and Rabbit. Following the formula of its predecessors, this third installment of the Fox & Rabbit series focuses on Sparrow's "super-trooper special" birthday. A slightly unrelated opening story introduces a variety of animal characters as Fox--proudly adopting the moniker "Fix-it Fox"--goes around trying to solve everyone's "enormous problems." In the next story, Fox and Rabbit scheme to make the "biggest, roundest, yummiest pizza in the world." They pilfer ingredients from Sparrow's garden (a nod to the first book) and ask Mouse for mozzarella. Subsequent stories--each contained in a chapter--involve a pizza-cooking dragon, the "really awesome" party, and a birthday wish that finally comes true. Dud�s' full-color cartoon illustrations complement Ferry's chipper tone and punny dialogue for an upbeat woodland romp. Even the turtle, who always comically arrives at the end of the chapter and misses most of the action, gets to enjoy the party. Another standout scene, in which Fox assumes Dragon doesn't speak their language and speaks "Dragonian" unprompted, gently addresses microaggressions. Though all dialogue is clearly linked to each speaker, some scenes with lots of back and forth within a single panel gear this to comics readers with a bit of experience. Still, the eight-panel-per-page max and short chapters keep the text accessible and pace quick. Hooray, hooray for this par-tay. (Graphic early reader. 6-9)

COPYRIGHT(2021) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 1, 2021

Gr 1-3-Five short stories emphasizing friendship, good intentions, and yummy food make up this third series installment. After the first tale, which sees Fox attempting to fix household problems for other animals, the subsequent stories involve Fox and Rabbit preparing and celebrating Sparrow's birthday with a humongous pizza and fun party with all the animals of the woods. Along the way, the two best friends meet Dragon and encourage the sheltered creature to join the festivities. Throughout, kindness prevails as the animals prioritize helping each other and making their friends happy. Early readers exploring graphic novels will enjoy the bright colors, soft illustrations, and easy-to-follow narrative. VERDICT A pleasant read that both series fans and new readers are sure to appreciate.

Copyright 2021 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2021
Fox and Rabbit are back in their third series entry with five new stories, most of which center on throwing a birthday party for Sparrow that involves making "the biggest, roundest, yummiest pizza in the world." Animal friends from the previous books return to help and partake in the festivities, including Tortoise, who always arrives too late for any activity. This volume introduces a surprising new creature as well -- Dragon -- whom Fox and Rabbit nervously visit when they need help cooking that giant pizza. This large, purple fire-breather turns out to be harmless and lonely. Dragon has never even been to a birthday party, a situation immediately remedied. Each chapter is full of amusing situations and appealing characters taking care of one another and getting themselves into trouble despite their best intentions. Bright colors and soft, bubbly shapes make every creature, even the dragon, seem cuddly and soothing. The idyllic community offers a pleasant cartoon landscape to visit, where there is always a welcoming friend, something special to do, and something good to eat. Julie Roach

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2021
Fox and Rabbit are back in their third series entry with five new stories, most of which center on throwing a birthday party for Sparrow that involves making "the biggest, roundest, yummiest pizza in the world." Animal friends from the previous books return to help and partake in the festivities, including Tortoise, who always arrives too late for any activity. This volume introduces a surprising new creature as well -- Dragon -- whom Fox and Rabbit nervously visit when they need help cooking that giant pizza. This large, purple fire-breather turns out to be harmless and lonely. Dragon has never even been to a birthday party, a situation immediately remedied. Each chapter is full of amusing situations and appealing characters taking care of one another and getting themselves into trouble despite their best intentions. Bright colors and soft, bubbly shapes make every creature, even the dragon, seem cuddly and soothing. The idyllic community offers a pleasant cartoon landscape to visit, where there is always a welcoming friend, something special to do, and something good to eat.

(Copyright 2021 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)