The Fox and the Star
By Coralie Bickford-Smith
ISBN# 9780143108672
Author Website: http://cb-smith.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele
Synopsis:
The Fox and the Star is the story of a friendship between a lonely Fox and the Star who guides him through the frightfully dark forest. Illuminated by Star’s rays, Fox forages for food, runs with the rabbits, and dances in the rain—until Star suddenly goes out and life changes, leaving Fox huddling for warmth in the unfamiliar dark. To find his missing Star, Fox must embark on a wondrous journey beyond the world he knows—a journey lit by courage, newfound friends, and just maybe, a star-filled new sky.
Inspired by the Arts and Crafts movement and the art of William Blake, The Fox and the Star is a heartwarming, hopeful tale which comes alive through Bickford-Smith’s beloved illustrations, guiding readers both young and grown to “look up beyond your ears.” (Goodreads)
Review:
The Fox and the Star tells the fable of a little fox and his friend the star. All is right in the fox’s world until one night the star fails to appear. Fox must gather his courage and face this bigger, unknown world without his star…only to be rewarded with more stars than he could ever imagine.
First and foremost, this cloth bound hardback book is truly a work of art, a throwback to a time when all bound word was revered and prized. Its navy, orange and gray color palette is perfect for portraying the fox and the inky black sky the star inhabits. The pages are thick, high quality stock. The illustrations are simple, yet poignant, and faithful to the arts and craft style.
The moral of the story is good, but I found the prose a bit simple and lacking in flow. However, this is still a fantastic bedtime read with a little one. Its craftsmanship should stand the test of time and last well beyond years of use during story time.
The Fox and the Star is a beautiful representation of how lovely children’s works can be, and, with its tale of friendship, loss, and bravery to move beyond fear, it is sure to hold a proud place on the shelf.
