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Fox: A Circle of Life Story
In the frost-covered forest of early spring, fox is on a mission to find food for her three cubs. As they grow, she teaches them how to survive in the wild. Until one day, fox dies. Her body goes back to earth and grass and air, nourishing the world around her and bringing the forest to life. Death is not just an end, it’s also a beginning.
Fox: A Circle of Life Story answers the big scientific question: What happens when we die?
Bringing together an evocative non-fiction narrative with breath-taking illustrations, this book will help parents and children to talk about life and death. It introduces the scientific concept that death leads to new life, and that this way of understanding the world is no less beautiful and awe-inspiring than traditional stories.
Fox: A Circle of Life Story unites story and science to explain this big concept to children who have lost a pet or a loved one, or who simply are curious about death and what happens after we die.
Fox: A Circle of Life Story answers the big scientific question: What happens when we die?
Bringing together an evocative non-fiction narrative with breath-taking illustrations, this book will help parents and children to talk about life and death. It introduces the scientific concept that death leads to new life, and that this way of understanding the world is no less beautiful and awe-inspiring than traditional stories.
Fox: A Circle of Life Story unites story and science to explain this big concept to children who have lost a pet or a loved one, or who simply are curious about death and what happens after we die.
47 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2020
4 people are currently reading
265 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
April 26, 2022
2.5 stars
The illustrations are nice and I like the idea that this is exploring the circle of life, how death of an animal means food for other animals and nutrients going back into the earth. I would rather this had been explained with a fox getting old and dying rather than a mother fox going through the windscreen of a car and leaving her young cubs alone. This seemed unneeded in a children's book, an aging fox would have got the idea across.
The illustrations are nice and I like the idea that this is exploring the circle of life, how death of an animal means food for other animals and nutrients going back into the earth. I would rather this had been explained with a fox getting old and dying rather than a mother fox going through the windscreen of a car and leaving her young cubs alone. This seemed unneeded in a children's book, an aging fox would have got the idea across.
January 19, 2022
Death is sad, but it's also a fact. And this book is a gentle and factual way to represent what happens when something, even a beautiful something, dies. I could see this being good for classrooms and for those growing readers who are interested in the ways of the world.
November 5, 2024
Fox is a beautiful book that explores the life cycle using a fox and her young cubs as the focus for developing young readers / learners understanding about life and death.
The world of the mother fox is explored - including her hunting for other creatures to feed to her cubs but the death of the mother although shocking in some sense is what happens thousands of times over the winter.
Isabel Thomas’ prose is pitch perfect - poetic; heart- warming ; moving but also not being afraid to confront the realities of life and death.
Daniel Egneus’ illustrations are stunning and further depth to the book.
The curiosity is that although this would appear like a book to use with under 7s - it could equally be used with a slightly older audience.
Ideal for a class topic on life cycles, habitats, wildlife and of course life and death and good aid to open up class talk or even at home .
Never underestimate what children are already aware of and have seen on screens - you might be surprised
The world of the mother fox is explored - including her hunting for other creatures to feed to her cubs but the death of the mother although shocking in some sense is what happens thousands of times over the winter.
Isabel Thomas’ prose is pitch perfect - poetic; heart- warming ; moving but also not being afraid to confront the realities of life and death.
Daniel Egneus’ illustrations are stunning and further depth to the book.
The curiosity is that although this would appear like a book to use with under 7s - it could equally be used with a slightly older audience.
Ideal for a class topic on life cycles, habitats, wildlife and of course life and death and good aid to open up class talk or even at home .
Never underestimate what children are already aware of and have seen on screens - you might be surprised
August 3, 2020
Fox: A Circle of Life Story is simply gorgeous and important. The artwork is stunning and the sentences rhyme nicely - it'll be perfect for reading aloud to children and the colourful illustrations are certainly eye-catching. It is a story of beginnings and endings, of life and death, the circle of life. While the topic is difficult and sensitive, Isabel Thomas handles it delicately. It has very factual, practical and logical tone, but the illustrations add nicely depth and emotion. I think this is a wonderful conversation starter with kids, I certainly can see myself reading and discussing the story and the circle of life with my niece, when she's old enough.
I also love foxes very much, and I appreciate the positive portrayal of foxes in here.
(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)
I also love foxes very much, and I appreciate the positive portrayal of foxes in here.
(A copy of this ebook was provided in return for an honest review.)
July 16, 2020
Fox quickly became one of my favourite children's books. I immediately reread it, and I wanted to buy it for all the children in the world.
I fell in love with the way the book handles death. As death is such a complicated and hard issue for children, I admire the authors who write about it. This one especially enchanted me. And I love the information at the end of the book. I'm sure it'll help the little readers to learn more and help them deal with loss a lot.
The illustrations and the colours are superb. I believe this will become a classic and will be read by many lucky children.
I fell in love with the way the book handles death. As death is such a complicated and hard issue for children, I admire the authors who write about it. This one especially enchanted me. And I love the information at the end of the book. I'm sure it'll help the little readers to learn more and help them deal with loss a lot.
The illustrations and the colours are superb. I believe this will become a classic and will be read by many lucky children.
January 12, 2022
For those children who are ready to learn about death and what happens afterwards, this is a good discussion (although the trauma of the fox dying in a car crash and not of old age is definitely jarring).
February 6, 2022
Beautiful artwork. Good story of the circle of life. A little too traumatizing for the intended audience of very young kids.
May 29, 2022
Obviously the cover and title was the first thing that I noticed about this book. While to story has the sad element of death, the format makes it one that it can be shared with a younger reader to help guide them with the explanation of death.
November 27, 2023
Beautiful illustrations. This is a great book to explain a tough topic with kids. Highly recommend.
November 8, 2020
In this striking and sincere picture book, Isabel Thomas immerses you into the beautiful natural world and, with great clarity and sensitivity, explains the circle of life, and explores the new beings and beginnings that come from death. Uniting science with story, Thomas’s direct, logical language blends with a gentle, poetic resonance to craft a unique approach on the usually hard-hitting, difficult subject, which I found to be as refreshing as it was enlightening. This, paired powerfully with Daniel Egnéus vivid and atmospheric illustrations, makes for a worthy read.
March 10, 2022
This is a book about a fox who dies and what happens with the dead body. It is beautifully illustrated and we loved looking at all the pictures. There are some very clever play with words which is lovely. Such as Ears stiffen, Noses twitch. An arc of rust-red fur. my mum loved the ending where it says Death is not just an end, but a beginning. I found it slightly unsettling and sad that the fox died leaving behind three young cubs, but maybe that's just me.
May 20, 2021
The scientific perspective on what happens after death, in drawings for children...
The illustrator is wonderful and the story is written with sensitivity.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon 20 May 2021.
The illustrator is wonderful and the story is written with sensitivity.
Maria Carmo,
Lisbon 20 May 2021.
January 4, 2022
Emotional damage. Literally traumatizing. But excellent and important discussions to be had around life and death.
June 25, 2022
I like the concept but was surprised by the choice to kill off the mom fox in a sudden car crash! I feel like that plot point kind of then ruins the whole book b/c it's so distracting/extreme
September 30, 2021
It feels a little jumpy to me, and the illustrations a little meh, but it's an important and difficult subject well handled.
March 13, 2022
Sad and beautiful.
March 23, 2024
Good but a bit harsh on the delivery. 3 stars.
October 7, 2025
Un super livre pour parler de la mort et du cycle de la vie/nature avec les enfants. Histoire poétique, triste mais belle en même temps. Ma fille de 7 ans a adoré
February 3, 2022
Beautiful book with gorgeous illustrations that demystify death
November 25, 2024
Beautifully illustrated, this circle of life story is both simple and powerful in it's description of the natural world, life and death. The descriptions of what happens after death was particularly well done, moving and honest, I thought it was very well done. The illustrations enhance the text perfectly, giving the reader another layer of understanding. I thought it was a lovely book and a good one for working through questions of life and death with younger children.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review.
January 29, 2022
This is the best picture book I’ve read about the life cycle, which incorporates an understanding of emotion into the process of ��life ending, so that life can continue.” It begins and ends with a family peering into the woods and the words to “look” around them, to see the fox. As we follow the fox, we see her follow prey, feed her three kits, watch them grow, and catch prey.
*Disclaimer* The mother does die; she is hit by a car. Although not graphic, neither the author nor illustrator hold back when it comes to showing her death. It is the same with the prey (eg rabbit or other small mammal in mouth). It is interesting to note the dichotomy of the forest/nature and the distinct feeling of intrusion imposed by humans with the roads/cars that leads to her death.
The kits move on and grow, leading their lives and having their own kits. We see how the first fox, left in the grass, becomes a part of the life cycle. It is a gentle, and moving process, which honors her and nature itself.
Incredibly vibrant artwork creates warmth amongst the foxes, the only stark moments appearing when man made structures like roads or cars seem to interrupt the natural order of things. Additional information about the life cycle, including a glossary of important words, is included.
Highly recommended for first grade on up, although families of younger children may decide whether to use this book as an introduction to their young ones who may not be emotionally ready to learn about the life cycle, especially independently. This is also an excellent resource for those seeking grief help that is non-secular.
Thank you to the publishers for an advanced galley.
*Disclaimer* The mother does die; she is hit by a car. Although not graphic, neither the author nor illustrator hold back when it comes to showing her death. It is the same with the prey (eg rabbit or other small mammal in mouth). It is interesting to note the dichotomy of the forest/nature and the distinct feeling of intrusion imposed by humans with the roads/cars that leads to her death.
The kits move on and grow, leading their lives and having their own kits. We see how the first fox, left in the grass, becomes a part of the life cycle. It is a gentle, and moving process, which honors her and nature itself.
Incredibly vibrant artwork creates warmth amongst the foxes, the only stark moments appearing when man made structures like roads or cars seem to interrupt the natural order of things. Additional information about the life cycle, including a glossary of important words, is included.
Highly recommended for first grade on up, although families of younger children may decide whether to use this book as an introduction to their young ones who may not be emotionally ready to learn about the life cycle, especially independently. This is also an excellent resource for those seeking grief help that is non-secular.
Thank you to the publishers for an advanced galley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2022
A beautiful and sensitive story about family, life and death. Perfect for teachers teaching about nature and the circle of life. Also I would recommend to anyone dealing with the loss of a pet.
It follows a fox 🦊 and her 3 cubs as they grow up. She teaches them as much as she can until one day she passes away. In her death she goes back into the earth and provides nutrients for the forest and helps create more life. Death is not only an end but also a beginning and a perfectly normal part of life.
The illustrations in this book are really good and definitely bring this story to life. It’s a fictional story but it also includes a lot of wonderful facts giving the book an educational element as well. Highly recommend this one 🦊
It follows a fox 🦊 and her 3 cubs as they grow up. She teaches them as much as she can until one day she passes away. In her death she goes back into the earth and provides nutrients for the forest and helps create more life. Death is not only an end but also a beginning and a perfectly normal part of life.
The illustrations in this book are really good and definitely bring this story to life. It’s a fictional story but it also includes a lot of wonderful facts giving the book an educational element as well. Highly recommend this one 🦊
May 25, 2022
A really great book explaining death and the circle of life to children. It had some really beautiful illustrations and approached the topic quite gently
July 25, 2021
A poetic, beautiful story of life and death. Not for a sensitive reader. Perfect for a science class. But also could be used to help (in a tasteful way) talk about loss/death of a non-pet animal seen by side of the road, in wooded areas, etc.
July 5, 2022
Not sure young children are ready for the graphic drawing of the birds eating fox. Disturbing to me, but in fairness to the author, I have never really gotten over Old Yeller. Really.
January 17, 2022
Mixed feelings! I really like the art -- beautiful collage work that tells and extends the story. The content could be quite upsetting to preschoolers, and the cover art doesn't really convey the content accurately. The subtitle definitely does (A Circle of Life Story), so attentive adults may catch on to this before they start reading it with their preschooler. Older children will appreciate the info in the back of the book...but the picture book style may not attract them to pick it up on their own.
Personally -- I love it. Beautiful art and lyrical text explains lovingly the way things are. And could be a comforting tool for adults who are trying to explain things like... roadkill. Which, as a parent, I know is a thing that needs explaining.
Overall, this is a good book to know about, it fills a gap that needs filling. Great for recommending to those who want to learn about death/decomposition/circle of life stuff. Those who don't may be in for a surprise.
Personally -- I love it. Beautiful art and lyrical text explains lovingly the way things are. And could be a comforting tool for adults who are trying to explain things like... roadkill. Which, as a parent, I know is a thing that needs explaining.
Overall, this is a good book to know about, it fills a gap that needs filling. Great for recommending to those who want to learn about death/decomposition/circle of life stuff. Those who don't may be in for a surprise.
April 6, 2023
This beautifully illustrated (Daniel Egneus) book from Bloomsbury Publishing answers the question, "What happens when animals die?" from a scientific standpoint. Written by science writer and children's author Isabel Thomas, the book follows a mother fox as she teaches her three growing cubs to survive in the wild. In the center of the story, she is following her three cubs across the road to safety when she is struck and killed by a car. The cubs are grown enough to survive on their own and the focus of the story shifts to the science of her body becoming a part of the world around her as it feeds and nourishes other animals, insects, and plants in the forest. My opinion is that this book is a tasteful representation of the life cycle. The last pages of the book give further scientific explanation of what happens when a death occurs among the animals, plants, and other living things that share our planet's cycle of life.
October 13, 2021
I received a copy via Netgalley.
I picked this book because I love foxes and I wanted to use my Japanese skills. Sadly, the book has no text. Well, it SHOULD have text but there are only empty lines and boxes where the text should be. I don't know if that's a technical error (maybe Adobe Digital, maybe something else) or if they didn't provide an ARC with text.
Luckily, the story is understandable without text since it's a children's picture book. Beautiful but also sad as it deals with death and the natural cycle of dead organisms becoming food for new organisms.
It's a nice book with an important message and beautiful drawings. My only disappointment is that I wanted to practice my Japanese and I couldn't, but I'm not faulting the book for this. The original book is in English, so you can get your copy if you want to check it out.
I picked this book because I love foxes and I wanted to use my Japanese skills. Sadly, the book has no text. Well, it SHOULD have text but there are only empty lines and boxes where the text should be. I don't know if that's a technical error (maybe Adobe Digital, maybe something else) or if they didn't provide an ARC with text.
Luckily, the story is understandable without text since it's a children's picture book. Beautiful but also sad as it deals with death and the natural cycle of dead organisms becoming food for new organisms.
It's a nice book with an important message and beautiful drawings. My only disappointment is that I wanted to practice my Japanese and I couldn't, but I'm not faulting the book for this. The original book is in English, so you can get your copy if you want to check it out.
December 3, 2021
A truly masterful book that illustrates the cycle of life with unflinching wonder. Well written, beautifully illustrated, and written TO children rather than down to them. It's somewhat long for a small child but the book is organized in such a way that it could be read in parts. This is an especially good book for the curious and observant, the child who picks through the dirt and wonders about bones, or fallen nests, or why the sky is blue.
SPOILER:
The mother fox dies unexpectedly (to a child listening to the story) and her death is treated very matter of factly. This is NOT for a child who is grieving someone close. This IS appropriate for a child who has lost an animal like a fish (*maybe* a family dog or cat but probably not if they have a close bond) and is burying it in the back yard.
SPOILER:
The mother fox dies unexpectedly (to a child listening to the story) and her death is treated very matter of factly. This is NOT for a child who is grieving someone close. This IS appropriate for a child who has lost an animal like a fish (*maybe* a family dog or cat but probably not if they have a close bond) and is burying it in the back yard.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews