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Down the Hole: A Darkly Funny Picture Book About a Rabbit Outsmarting a Fox for Kids
Anansi the Spider meets Jon Klassen in this wickedly witty debut. When a suspiciously polite fox attempts to coax his next meal out of a burrow, he is met with a clever rabbit who has been cooking up a surprise for this very moment! Careful readers may spot what is in store for fox before he does in this darkly funny cautionary tale that roots for the underbunny.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published October 31, 2023
73 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
January 30, 2024
Incorrectly coded, should be in the mystery section
January 31, 2024
“How many stars”
“Five of them thangs, I’m certain of that”
“Five of them thangs, I’m certain of that”
February 1, 2024
I adored the illustrations throughout this foxy little tale.
November 17, 2023
A cute and funny little book with a surprising ending. I imagine this would be a fun one to read with kids.
May 29, 2024
Creepy, how is this a children's book? Revenge much?
June 20, 2024
Another in a long line of carnivorous, trickster, picture books
August 9, 2024
The bunnies outsmart (what appears to be a hungry) fox.
June 11, 2024
A fox revisits a rabbit hole determined to catch a rabbit again. This time the rabbits are prepared and they have a plan. This is a clever trickster story with large detailed expressive illustrations. Young readers will enjoy comparing the rabbits' map with their activities and the ending is fabulous. This will be a fun book to read aloud!
November 8, 2023
Richie’s Picks: DOWN THE HOLE by Scott Slater and Adam Ming, ill., HarperCollins/Clarion, October 2023, 40p., ISBN: 978-0-35-868334-6
“What's this whole world comin' to
Things just ain't the same
Any time the hunter gets captured by the game”
– Smokey Robinson (1966)
“‘Hello?’ Fox yelled down the hole. ‘Might a kind bunny help out a poor fox?’
‘Hello!’ Rabbit shouted back up. ‘I’ll try.’
‘Lovely. I just need to…actually, I worry you won’t be able to hear me from all the way down there.’
‘Don’t worry, I can hear you just fine,’ said Rabbit.
‘Of course. I was just wondering if you might be able to tell me BUR BUR BUR BUR BUR.’
‘Did you say you’re looking forward to some bunny stew?’ asked Rabbit.
‘What?! No, that is a silly thing to hear. See, I knew this might be a problem,’ Fox said. ‘I could explain much better if you could find a moment to come up here.’
‘Sorry, I got distracted,’ said Rabbit. I’ll listen better this time.’
‘I completely understand,’ said Fox. ‘I was just wondering if you NUM NUM NUM NUM NUM.’
‘You think a bunny in your tummy sounds yummy?’ asked Rabbit.
‘I would never say such a thing out loud. I mean, I would never say such a thing! This is quite the misunderstanding. If you would just poke your ears out so you can hear me better, this could all be resolved very quickly.’
‘How do I know you’re not going to eat me?’
‘You have my word,’ smirked Fox.”
There is no misunderstanding here. Fox has previously depleted the bunny population of that hole, so Rabbit and the other bunnies are waiting for him this time.
I’m just dying to perform this one!
DOWN THE HOLE is a fun and very funny tale. What makes it a superb picture book are Adam Ming’s high-energy, gross-motored, colorful illustrations. The perspective of the illustrations vary between the above-ground Fox, and the bunnies (and other critters) down in their subterranean homes. We sometimes see cut-away profiles of above- and below-ground at the same time. We can feel Fox peering down at us in the hole.
The big plus atop the big plus is the expressiveness of the respective characters. Adam has quite a talent–beginning with the cover image–of bringing the critters to life through their broad expressions.
In creating the digital art, the illustrator makes great use of incorporating hand-painted textures. They really make all the difference in the feel of the images.
The tension of the stand-off between Fox and Rabbit heightens and heightens (with a lot of action going on underground) until Fox finally gets his surprise comeuppance. The action peaks with an illustration that so perfectly incorporates perspective, expressiveness, and hand-painted textures into a perfect OMG A-HA! moment.
DOWN THE HOLE is a blast! Hop to it, and check it out!
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
“What's this whole world comin' to
Things just ain't the same
Any time the hunter gets captured by the game”
– Smokey Robinson (1966)
“‘Hello?’ Fox yelled down the hole. ‘Might a kind bunny help out a poor fox?’
‘Hello!’ Rabbit shouted back up. ‘I’ll try.’
‘Lovely. I just need to…actually, I worry you won’t be able to hear me from all the way down there.’
‘Don’t worry, I can hear you just fine,’ said Rabbit.
‘Of course. I was just wondering if you might be able to tell me BUR BUR BUR BUR BUR.’
‘Did you say you’re looking forward to some bunny stew?’ asked Rabbit.
‘What?! No, that is a silly thing to hear. See, I knew this might be a problem,’ Fox said. ‘I could explain much better if you could find a moment to come up here.’
‘Sorry, I got distracted,’ said Rabbit. I’ll listen better this time.’
‘I completely understand,’ said Fox. ‘I was just wondering if you NUM NUM NUM NUM NUM.’
‘You think a bunny in your tummy sounds yummy?’ asked Rabbit.
‘I would never say such a thing out loud. I mean, I would never say such a thing! This is quite the misunderstanding. If you would just poke your ears out so you can hear me better, this could all be resolved very quickly.’
‘How do I know you’re not going to eat me?’
‘You have my word,’ smirked Fox.”
There is no misunderstanding here. Fox has previously depleted the bunny population of that hole, so Rabbit and the other bunnies are waiting for him this time.
I’m just dying to perform this one!
DOWN THE HOLE is a fun and very funny tale. What makes it a superb picture book are Adam Ming’s high-energy, gross-motored, colorful illustrations. The perspective of the illustrations vary between the above-ground Fox, and the bunnies (and other critters) down in their subterranean homes. We sometimes see cut-away profiles of above- and below-ground at the same time. We can feel Fox peering down at us in the hole.
The big plus atop the big plus is the expressiveness of the respective characters. Adam has quite a talent–beginning with the cover image–of bringing the critters to life through their broad expressions.
In creating the digital art, the illustrator makes great use of incorporating hand-painted textures. They really make all the difference in the feel of the images.
The tension of the stand-off between Fox and Rabbit heightens and heightens (with a lot of action going on underground) until Fox finally gets his surprise comeuppance. The action peaks with an illustration that so perfectly incorporates perspective, expressiveness, and hand-painted textures into a perfect OMG A-HA! moment.
DOWN THE HOLE is a blast! Hop to it, and check it out!
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
https://www.facebook.com/richiespicks/
richiepartington@gmail.com
February 24, 2024
Down the Hole taps into classic animal relationships, especially the predator/prey cycle of life that keeps our world in balance but places one species in the "bad guy" role and the prey becomes the "underguy". That automatically casts the prey as the hero of any story, at least most stories. Turning such a tale into something original isn't always easy, since this plot appears over millennia and across cultures globally. When the "underguy" manages to outwit the "bad guy", readers/audiences are satisfied.
In this case, the combatants are Fox (with hints of past success diminishing this particular community of rabbits in the past) and the underground "menu", the bunnies . Outwitting that fox, who, on the cover, lurks above ground, begins when Fox invites a bunny to come up and "help" a friendly fox.
The leader bunny demonstrates bright dialogue, alert to the past and aware of the current intentions. Meanwhile bunny leader (wearing collar and tie) and his rabbit crew devise a way to eliminate the problem, not just at the moment but permanently.
The text includes some fun word-play, sly hints and twists (with the bunny proving to be every bit as sly as the fox), and a delightful view of the benefits of cooperation. Even so, I might have rated four stars for all that, since it covers such familiar ground. But the illustrations elevate my opinion by providing extra layers of visual narrative elements, especially in the life underground extending beyond the bunny warren (residents like mice or moles or groundhogs). These images include one particular underground dweller who might tip that predator/prey scale.
The art itself is another bonus. Colorful and fun, yes. But also very effective at elaborating on the appeal of this tale. The illustration note in back describes creating digitally on PROCREATE combined with hand-painted textures and icons in acrylic guache on fancy watercolor paper. The combination media and techniques give a nearly collage-like effect at times, always adding to the impact of the humor, reactions, and depth, despite the somewhat cartoonish images. The spreads suggest movement, attitude, anticipation, suspense, and foreshadowing.
In this case, the combatants are Fox (with hints of past success diminishing this particular community of rabbits in the past) and the underground "menu", the bunnies . Outwitting that fox, who, on the cover, lurks above ground, begins when Fox invites a bunny to come up and "help" a friendly fox.
The leader bunny demonstrates bright dialogue, alert to the past and aware of the current intentions. Meanwhile bunny leader (wearing collar and tie) and his rabbit crew devise a way to eliminate the problem, not just at the moment but permanently.
The text includes some fun word-play, sly hints and twists (with the bunny proving to be every bit as sly as the fox), and a delightful view of the benefits of cooperation. Even so, I might have rated four stars for all that, since it covers such familiar ground. But the illustrations elevate my opinion by providing extra layers of visual narrative elements, especially in the life underground extending beyond the bunny warren (residents like mice or moles or groundhogs). These images include one particular underground dweller who might tip that predator/prey scale.
The art itself is another bonus. Colorful and fun, yes. But also very effective at elaborating on the appeal of this tale. The illustration note in back describes creating digitally on PROCREATE combined with hand-painted textures and icons in acrylic guache on fancy watercolor paper. The combination media and techniques give a nearly collage-like effect at times, always adding to the impact of the humor, reactions, and depth, despite the somewhat cartoonish images. The spreads suggest movement, attitude, anticipation, suspense, and foreshadowing.
September 21, 2025
Delightful turn-the-table tale of how clever rabbits trick Fox, who is trying to lure them from their lair (into his wide-open jaws!) from above.
Lavender ascot-clad Fox thinks he is so clever! Using his wily ways, Fox conjures multiple means of attempting to lure rabbits (snug underground with their family) out from the safety of their underground home. But the bunnies are up to something! So noted by the second page: shovels in paws, map of their underground sanctuary-geography on the table; then later ladders and pulleys in tow. Meanwhile the bunny spokesperson jaws with Fox, challenging and questioning ("Did you say you're looking forward to some bunny stew?"... "What? No!" Fox defends his honor, while readers clearly know his intent.)
Children will squeal with delight when they see the expressions and bodily gyrations of Fox when, following rabbit's suggestions to jump up and down on the above ground to rid the region of the "pesky little bugs", he complies with unexpected results and a new character emerges from hibernation.
Adorably cute illustrations by Adam Wang bring the animation of this non-traditional fox-and-bunny story to life.
Lavender ascot-clad Fox thinks he is so clever! Using his wily ways, Fox conjures multiple means of attempting to lure rabbits (snug underground with their family) out from the safety of their underground home. But the bunnies are up to something! So noted by the second page: shovels in paws, map of their underground sanctuary-geography on the table; then later ladders and pulleys in tow. Meanwhile the bunny spokesperson jaws with Fox, challenging and questioning ("Did you say you're looking forward to some bunny stew?"... "What? No!" Fox defends his honor, while readers clearly know his intent.)
Children will squeal with delight when they see the expressions and bodily gyrations of Fox when, following rabbit's suggestions to jump up and down on the above ground to rid the region of the "pesky little bugs", he complies with unexpected results and a new character emerges from hibernation.
Adorably cute illustrations by Adam Wang bring the animation of this non-traditional fox-and-bunny story to life.
November 4, 2024
**This book is being considered as a nominee for next year’s Beehive Book Award for Children in Utah. My review reflects my thoughts as it pertains to that consideration.**
I am almost positive this was inspired by an old folktale - either an Aesop Fable or an Uncle Remus story. Because that's what it felt like as I read this story (so if it wasn't inspired by either of the above, Scott Slater absolutely nails that tone). But I LOVED it. It's a story that doesn't spell out the dark undertone of what's going on, but it trusts kids to get what's going on. AND it trusts kids to be able to handle it.
I adore it and I really want to use it in a Storytime. Maybe with a Rabbit-theme or a Folktale theme. I'll have to think about that.
I am almost positive this was inspired by an old folktale - either an Aesop Fable or an Uncle Remus story. Because that's what it felt like as I read this story (so if it wasn't inspired by either of the above, Scott Slater absolutely nails that tone). But I LOVED it. It's a story that doesn't spell out the dark undertone of what's going on, but it trusts kids to get what's going on. AND it trusts kids to be able to handle it.
I adore it and I really want to use it in a Storytime. Maybe with a Rabbit-theme or a Folktale theme. I'll have to think about that.
October 31, 2023
"Down the Hole" by Scott Slater is an absolute gem!
Slater's storytelling dazzles with wit and suspense, perfectly capturing the dance between a cunning fox and an even cleverer rabbit. The illustrations are stunning, and the dark humor is brilliantly balanced with a cheering 'root-for-the-underbunny' vibe.
A must-read for anyone who loves a twisty, delightful tale. An instant classic in the making!
Slater's storytelling dazzles with wit and suspense, perfectly capturing the dance between a cunning fox and an even cleverer rabbit. The illustrations are stunning, and the dark humor is brilliantly balanced with a cheering 'root-for-the-underbunny' vibe.
A must-read for anyone who loves a twisty, delightful tale. An instant classic in the making!
November 1, 2023
"Down the Hole" is a captivating and delightful picture book that cleverly pits Fox and Rabbit in a timeless battle of wits. Readers of all ages will be enchanted by the witty and suspenseful dialogue between the two characters, complemented by equally compelling illustrations. Prepare to be thoroughly entertained and fall "Down the Hole" repeatedly with this thrilling read-aloud- a staple for your library.
February 2, 2024
Excuse me, did they kill that fox?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 2, 2024
This was a silly story about a silly bunny and a silly fox. I loved the illustrations. This is truly a picturebook, with the images adding an extra layer to the story that would be otherwise missing without the illustrations. The fox is searching for a rabbit hole for some cute bunnies to snack on. But the bunnies are smart. Perhaps even smarter than the fox!
March 23, 2024
A debut picture book for the author this title is basically a tricker stork where the rabbit out smarts the fox. Illustrations while enhanced digitally are rendered from other mediums. There is perspective in the illustrations and plenty of motion making appear as if the weren’t! digitally enhanced.
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June 29, 2024In a similar vein as That Is Not a Good Idea!. A different fox, a different prey animal, but the clever prey outwits the hungry fox in the end. Also resonates with the Three Little Pigs.
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November 1, 2023This book reminded me of Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. I liked the undies. I think this would be fun for Cookie Book Club if I can think of some activities to go with it. I saw it coming but didn't catch on as early as possible until a second readthrough.
February 17, 2024
The illustrations really add to this book in helping the reader figure out how it will end. Clever. Picked up to read to a mixed audience at Family Reading Night and think that it will please adults and children alike.
April 10, 2024
I thought this was super funny all the elaborate lengths the bunnies went to to fool the fox. I liked that it followed a classic story format, and some of the illustrations were hilarious! The repetition of "he was certain of that" was very satisfying, too.
May 6, 2024
This was clever. A humor similar to some of Jon Klassen's more gruesome-ending books. A fox is trying to get a rabbit to come up so he can eat him, but the rabbits down below have a plan of their own. Enjoyable pictures and story.
May 28, 2024
I am not sure what the message of this book was supposed to be. I understand that we are dealing with a real life here in the whole predator cycle. I understand that we are rooting for the bunny to outwit the 2 faced fox but to have the implication that the fox was killed at the end??? So I am a little fuzzy on what the intended message was. What was the author hoping that a young child takes from this?
June 12, 2024
A sly fox and a clever rabbit try to outsmart each other. This was a surprisingly dark children’s book. It had a bit of a surprise ending and I’m not sure I actually liked it. The illustrations were fantastic and I enjoyed most of the story, except the end 😳
July 7, 2024
Cute role reversal trickster tale with a hungry fox eagerly awaiting a bunny’s exit from his burrow. Love all the activity going on underground until the final surprise?!? ending. Entertaining illustrations. This would make a fun storytime read aloud.
Check out the case cover art.
Check out the case cover art.
November 9, 2023
One of my favorite books of all time! :D
November 18, 2023
What a devious little story!
November 30, 2023
A subversive books that will have children cackling in delight.
November 30, 2023
A darkly funny picture book where a group of bunnies try to outsmart a suspiciously polite fox. The illustrations are dynamic and humorous. A promising debut from both author and illustrator.
December 12, 2023
Very clever! Fun illustrations!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews