One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller

by Kate Read

Counting from one to ten has never been so thrilling in this Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor Book and recipient of the Mathical Book Prize from Kate Read!

One hungry fox with two sly eyes is on the prowl . . . three plump hens had better watch out! Rich and colorful illustrations plunge the reader into a dramatic and exciting story set in a moonlit farmyard.

With something different to count on each page, this gripping tale introduces page-turning tension to young readers in an age-appropriate way. Great for early education and read alouds, this fun numbers introduction has a hugely satisfying ending that’s sure to delight! Pluck up this one up for your little math enthusiast today and check out the available activity kit online.

Also by Kate Read: Hey! A Colorful Mystery, a perfect selection on color vocabulary for budding artists.

"Stunning... Count on requests for many readings." — School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor Book
Recipient of the Mathical Book Prize Charlotte Zolotow Award (Highly Commended)
Parents’ Choice Gold Award Recipient
An ALSC Notable Children’s Book
A Capitol Choices Noteworthy Book for Children and Teens
Cybils (Fiction Picture Books)
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
A NYPL Best Book for Kids
A CCBC Choice

Genres: Picture Books, Counting, Animals, Storytime, Childrens, Mathematics, Number

36 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2019

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy a good counting book. The best ones are those that incorporate something other than the numbers themselves, such as engaging illustrations or a simple story. One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller has both.

The book begins as we're introduced to the fox. He's sneaking up on the henhouse, where three hens are resting inside, along with their five eggs. Each number focuses on a different aspect of the story (e.g., two sly eyes, four padding paws, nine flying feathers, etc.). But when the count reaches 10, readers (and the fox) are in for a bit of a surprise.

The illustrations here are interesting, and look to be done in a mixed-media style incorporating collage, drawing, and painting. The overall look is colourful and complex (but not so complex that the various objects throughout can't be easily counted).

This is a strong counting book that also functions as a story. Highly recommended to kids who are learning their numbers, as well as to fox fans.

Quotable moment:

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book's mixed media illustrations fashioned with collage and painting are easy on the eyes and sumptuous in color and texture. While many counting books are rather commonplace, this one stands out because of the images but also because of how the author has told a story while counting. She chooses meaningful words such as "famished" to describe a fox, who is obviously hungry and in search of a meal. He finds one in a henhouse, and each of the double-page spreads highlights a number and something to count while moving the story forward. Just as it looks as though the fox will get away with his prize, he realizes that he hasn't counted on the wrath of 100 hens who are determined to protect themselves, and he flees. The double-page spread with all those hens massing together is a visual delight, and readers will quickly turn the page to see that fox heading for the hills. I doubt that anyone will get tired of reading this one from a debut picture book artist. Readers will, of course, want to count the various animals or objects on the book's pages.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Fox: A Counting Book Thriller, by Kate Read. Isn't that subtitle a hook straight up? It's for kids, yes, but that fox... 1 famished fox, 2 sly eyes, 3 plump hens: looks ominous. But like every good thriller, this one has an excellent twist. Kate Read's illustrations make this a great book for kids, fun and educational, with just a hint of tension.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here's a first: One Fox is a "thriller" picture book. The suspenseful plot involves a hungry fox sneaking up on some unsuspecting hens. But these are not the passive chick chickens of yore. Oh no, these are strong-girls, strong-women, strong-hens.

And it's all written in the simple format of a counting book.

P. S. Don't worry: "No hens or foxes were harmed in the making of this book."

[Edyta Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this delightful story on Ezra Jack Keats Foundation website. It is one of the 2020 honor books for its illustrations and it is written and illustrated by Kate Read.
“One Fox'' it's not just another counting book. It is “a counting book thriller”. The story involves a hungry fox and farm animals. “One famished fox, two sly eyes, three plump hens...”. We can almost see what is going to happen next...Almost! It isn’t what you think! I love the suspense and the surprising ending of the story. I love the vivid illustrations of the fox and the hens on clean white or dark backgrounds. I am definitely adding it to my classroom library.
Perfect for preschool, kindergarten and even beginning of first grade.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Fox is delicious. A must. It’s a clever read, and beautiful visually. I marvel at the level of drama/thrill Read is able to elicit in both composition and very few word. The alliterations are good. I was also charmed by what we were asked to count (e.g. “8”)…and that unexpected number on the final pages.

I had to ask the question: is this a I Want My Hat Back (by Klassen) experience. Is it…?

Oh, but I would’ve owned this one with my small macabre-loving child. One Fox is a fantastic addition to the Counting Book collections.

Note: Nicely bookended endpapers

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This clever picture book demonstrates counting while also telling a fun story in which some chickens turn the tables on the predatory fox who comes creeping up on their henhouse in the middle of the night. Though the tone is different, structurally this book reminds me of Big Fat Hen by Keith Baker.

[Belinda Vlasbaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 sterren- Nederlandse hardcover

Sinterklaas nam het mee uit Spanje voor Jayden en Zhyvaya.

Eén hongerige vos met twee sluwe ogen ziet drie dikke kippen… Dat zijn de ingrediënten voor een thriller die wel uit moet lopen in een bloedbad! Of niet?

Kate Read verovert met dit debuut direct een plek in de top van de kinderboekenwereld.

Haar illustraties, die doen denken aan Eric Carle, vertellen het smeuïge drama dat zich op de boerderij afspeelt. Nog nooit is tellen van één tot tien zo leuk geweest!

Iedere peuter die met dit boek begint te tellen is gegarandeerd levenslang verslaafd aan het lezen van thrillers.

[Katie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Foxes have 42 teeth and the kid was scared so neither of us liked it.
(There are technically only ten teeth visible but my suspension of disbelief will not accept it as an answer.)

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun counting book with unexpected ending - I have students who will count the last page to see if that number is correct on the picture.

[Inma Swan · Rating 4 out of 5]

El texto, de fácil lectura junto a las ilustraciones con tonos de lo más dramáticos y misteriosos, nos mantendrá pegados a las páginas prestando mucha atención a lo que va a ocurrir. Misterio y suspense con un giro sorprendente que nos hará reír.

RESEÑA COMPLETA

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This counting book manages to be a suspenseful story with just a few words - and there’s a twist ending.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read has come up with a brilliantly simple concept, apply tension to a counting book. It starts with 1 famished fox and some chickens, and ends in a deliciously thrilling twist. Each page builds on the tension with very minimal text or images. With each new piece of information our imaginations run ahead, thinking "please no" by halfway through. The beautifully textured paper cut illustrations are laid out in ways that only deepen this growing unease. Of course, being a picture book, we know that things will take a turn, and for those who have played Zelda: Ocarina of Time, the ending will be nostalgic as well as amusing. From 1 to 10, each number is boldly displayed in numerical form, as well as being written out. While many counting books rely on rote learning to teach children, this title will make it stick through emotional context. If this is what Read can accomplish for 1 to 10, imagine what new thrills they could come up with for 10 to 1.

[Ina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a breathtaking and colorfully illustrated counting book. The collage illustrations are very reminiscent of Eric Carle's wonderful work. One look at the cover of one famished - but sly - fox will have you understanding the beauty and emotion contained in the book...once you begin reading the simple text, young readers will be enthralled and enthusiastic assistant "counters" as they count such things as "two sly eyes" and "four padding paws." There are plump hens and eggs and flying feathers. This book is rich in description and detail and large and bright and bold enough to be effective with large story time audiences as well as the individual child in a lap. There is a funny and very happy ending to the story and even the end papers are worthy of a good look. Marvelous!

[Christina Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was brilliant! The illustrations are vibrant and full of character and the unexpected ending will lead to lots of giggles. A refreshing take on the tried-and-tested counting book formula. A real winner!

[Maeve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illustrations + counting + story = A+

[KC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstandingly illustrated counting book between a fox and some hens...

[KJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was not expecting that page turn! Even though the title sort of warned me.

[Woody Chichester · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever and even a little suspenseful counting book with beautiful illustrations.

I mean, suspenseful because... well, read it and see!

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this counting book, the story begins with one hungry fox hunting 3 plump hens, goes to 10 sharp teeth, and ends in a very big surprise. Cute story with great illustrations.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was quite pretty, but both my 4 and 6 year old were REALLY into it! So that pushed it to 5 stars from our household.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kui pealkiri lubab põnevuslugu arvudest, siis noh.. ma ei uskunud seda. Enam ma nii rumal ei ole. Tõesti on võimalik õpetada kõige lihtsamal tasemel numbreid nii, et lugu on selline põnevik, et kohe kisub lehti aina kiiremini ja kiiremini keerama, mille tõttu peab lõpuni jõudes hakkama otsast peale, sest kaunid illustratsioonid jäid puha nautimata.

[Gabriella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This counting book has stunning images and a great surprise twist at the end. The best counting books incorporate something other than numbers themselves. This is a simple story, but it does just that ‘1 famished fox, 2 sly eyes, 3 plump hens’ telling the clever story of a hungry fox sneaking up on some unsuspecting hens. The author chooses meaningful description to create a suspenseful plot written in the simple format of a counting book which would be fantastic to make teaching counting more interesting at an early age (3-6).

[Ilona Oeselg-Tigasing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tõepoolest, põnevusloo mõõtmetega lugu. Ei julgekski lapsele soovitada, kui seda puänti ei oleks.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Fox is a thrilling counting book as the title suggests, and like any good thriller, has a surprise twist at the end. Read’s playfully descriptive language builds suspense on every page and her beautifully collaged illustrations highlight details such as claws, beaks, paw prints, eyes and feathers and provide an artistic visual accompaniment to the text.

The story itself encourages counting and is a fantastic resource for number recognition and one-to-one correspondence as each page displays both the written word, numerical symbols, and an illustration for each number. The fast-paced, easy to follow story is perfect for engaging younger audiences and the vocabulary and illustrations give lots of scope for further discussion. This book would be ideal for children in EYFS, but still enjoyed greatly by children in Key Stage 1.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great illustrations. I love that it builds suspense. However, I wasn’t a fan of how it switches to 100 chickens at the end.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

ONE FOX counts from one to ten in a thrilling way. The fox is hunting for some food and he comes across some chickens! As the counting continues, the predator stalks its prey and builds up anticipation of what's going to happen.

Instead of the fox surprising the chickens, they have one of their own. One hundred chickens fly out and scare the fox! I love how in the end it says no chickens or foxes were harmed in the making of this book. ONE FOX brings us counting in a unique way that is bound to catch a child's interest. The illustrations pop off the page and I love the bright colors of the fox.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this to children who like or are learning to count and it's perfect for fans of animals, suspense, and a touch of humor.

This review can also be found on YABC: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A counting book with a narrative and gorgeous illustrations!

[The Library Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

As usual, you dear people of Good Reads don't seem to know picture books that weren't published in the last,oh, 3 or 4 years. This is strongly derivative of Mem Fox's wonderful Hattie and the Fox. There aren't any other animals, so it's the chickens who rescue themselves, but the denouement is pretty much the same. The art is attractive, but my assistant was reminded strongly of Eric Carle , and I see Mem Fox in this too. It's attractive though, and the snarky "no foxes or chickens were harmed," at the end is a funny twist.

[Artemissia G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mon avis complet : https://songedunenuitdete.com/2019/10...
Un renard, des poules, des œufs, beaucoup de poules et un ouvrage ludique et rigolo qui nous a permis de passer un très bon moment de détente avant le coucher, car même pas peur !