The Fox Wife

by Beatrice Deer, Dj Herron (Illustrator)

On a cloudless summer night, a fox falls to earth and comes across a family of humans. As the seasons change and they move their camp, she follows them, growing ever more intrigued by human ways—and especially by the oldest son, Irniq. When Irniq grows older and sets out hunting on his own, he is surprised to enter his tent one day and find the lamp lit, the tea made… and a strange woman who says she is his wife. Tired of being alone, Irniq welcomes the woman. But soon he grows curious and cannot stop himself from asking too many questions. Where did the fox pelt hanging in their tent come from? And why did the fox that had been following him suddenly disappear? Based on award-winning musician Beatrice Deer’s powerful song “Fox,” this graphic novel reinterprets a traditional Inuit story for a new generation.

Genres: Picture Books, Fiction, Indigenous, Childrens, Folk Tales

37 pages, Hardcover

First published October 2, 2018

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a mysterious fox falls from heaven one day, she discovers a human family in the course of her exploration. Following along after them for years, she becomes familiar with their ways, and when the eldest son, Irniq, heads off on his own, she sheds her fox skin and becomes his wife. Irniq isn't sure of what to make of this unexpected wife who turns up in his tent one day, but being lonely, he accepts her into his life. His complaints about her musty odor however, hurt her deeply, causing her to leave once again. It is only then, when he has lost his unusual wife, that Irniq realizes who and what she was...

This traditional Inuit tale is retold by Beatrice Deer, an Inuk folk singer from Canada who has also performed it as a song. The story itself reminds me strongly of similar tales from other folk tradition, in which an animal becomes wife to a human man, until his questioning leads to the revelation of her secret, and to her departure. The one that springs immediately to mind, in this respect, is the Japanese tale of The Crane Wife , but there are others as well. As someone who loves foxes (their depiction in children's literature is an interest of mine), and who enjoys almost everything published by Inuit-owned Inhabit Media, I picked up The Fox Wife with great anticipation. I was not disappointed, finding the story engaging and the artwork from D.J. Herron appealing. Recommended to all young folklore enthusiasts and fox lovers, and to readers looking for children's stories with an Inuit cultural setting.

[Kathy Piselli · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you visit the website of the book's publisher, Inhabit Media, you will find a map showing it to inhabit Baffin Island and an "About" section using what appears to be Inuktitut script, followed by English translation (sorry - no French). Great drawings illustrate a story about a young man who grows up and leaves his family well-taught in how to live on his own, but still needing to learn a bit of wisdom.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

When a fox that is not of this world follow an Inuit family, she becomes fascinated by their ways and intrigued by the young boy in the family. She stays close by but tries to remain hidden, watching as the boy, Irniq, grows up and sets out on his own. When he realizes that someone has been cooking for him and doing chores inside his tent, he keeps watch. While he sees the fox go inside the tent, he finds a woman, not a fox, inside. Life is good until Irniq complains about the musky smell that seems to be coming from the woman. She leaves him because she doesn't think he will accept her as she is. While I wish the illustrations had had more detail, I liked the story very much since it reminds readers not to look a gift horse in the mouth and to accept the gifts we are given. Although the fox doubts that Irniq would have accepted her as she was, I have to wonder. Maybe if she'd have been honest with him, all would have turned out well.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a review of the AUDIO edition for which there is not yet a Goodreads listing.

I checked this audiobook out of my library in a hurry, thinking I was getting a novel by the same name, by another author. I still want to read the novel, but I'm not sorry for the accident. What a lovely story!

For a short and simple tale it has quite a twist at the end, which would provide interesting conversational fodder to a child and their caregiver reading the picture book together.

But for me the best surprise in this accidental read came after the story ended, when it began again, in Inuktitut. I had to look up the name of the Inuit language used, as it was not identified, or at least I didn't catch it, while listening. I found the answer here: https://inhabitbooks.com/products/in9...

Yes! A bilingual English/Inuktitut reading of an Inuit-rooted tale. Such a delight.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fox Wife is musician Beatrice Deer's picture book adaptation of a traditional Inuit story. I've been a fan of her music (check it out if you haven't, she's super good!), so I've been waiting for my library to get a copy of this one in. The story is really interesting, it kind of reminds me of selkie stories. There's a lot of heart in it, and some interesting messages to talk through at the end. The art is really gorgeous. Recommended!

[Barbra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A young fox that falls to earth follows a human family, intrigued by the oldest son. When he is grown and goes off on a hunt she assumes human form and becomes his wife. Forever haunted by her animal scent she returns to fox form. Illustrated in graphic style this colourful tale of the North brings new life to an old story.

[Thomasin Propson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story unlike any I've read before. A fox falls in love with a human, "becomes" a woman and his wife, is criticized by him for her musky smell, and she leaves him. "[T]he fox's mind was made up, and nothing could change it. From her stare, in that moment, he understood. She kept going, and she never returned."

[Alex Roma · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. Really beautifully illustrated and a whimsically lovely story. It has a bittersweet sort of ending, and I'm not sure whether it worked for me or not. It DID make me want to listen to the song, though.

[Sandra Acacia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting story about the fox following the boy around. Also the realization at the end about who the fox was. However I wasn't keen with the ending. I was hoping there was another page or two to bring around a different ending, but I guess we sometimes don't get the ending we want.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the rich deep illustrations, the story is well told with a few dialogue bubbles,

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute Inuit folktale, simply told and well drawn.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute book about a folktale about a fox turning into a human.

[Lauryn Hoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved how it portrays that sometimes not all relationships work out and that it's sometimes difficult to accept your sweetheart for what makes them who they are; a good aspect of any healthy relationship. I highly recommend this book to those who loves foxes as well as the tales about shapeshifting foxes. I believe that kids who loves animals would love this amazing story. An activity that I recommend for this would be a painting by number fox page.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would have liked this a lot better if there had been a different ending. To me, this ending represented no forgiveness and no second chances. I didn't care for that.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tedious and not at all engaging.

[Dr. Lehman L Ellis · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very short fable from the Inuit. A lesson in taking someone for what they are in spite of their faults.