This is a wonderful introduction to the cycle of life and death. Thoughtful prose accompanied by gorgeous yet not overly detailed illustrations make this accessible and a lovely book for adults and children to share and discuss.

NOT what you may be expecting, this starts with a fox on the hunt – well, she has three babies to feed, for one thing. Happily getting them trained up and fit for their own life in the outer world, she is hit by a car and dies. But, the implication is, by the time they are fit for their own families and their own training of their cubs, she'll have been recycled by nature, and the circle of life will have ensured she hasn't gone to waste. Great news that the artwork is quite lacking in the cute side of things, then – but like I say, if you're in the market for this kind of lesson it's done well. It's just some readers will think this is a story about foxes that get to remain living past the final page. Our main character here does – just in a very loose manner of speaking, and the fatality is rather sudden for those people who still see such picture books as gentler, friendlier experiences. Previously a hardback, this gets reviewed in honour of 2025's paperback reissue, implying enough people see the merit in such a lesson in such a way. I think I do, now I've got the 'buyer beware' notice out the way – four stars.

This is a cute little story about the cycle of life. Wonderfully illustrated it tells the tale of a mama fox who has 3 cubs. She teaches them to hunt and play but one day is run over by a car and her little body curls up and returns to the earth.

Whilst sad, its a fact of life, i passed a dead fox on the road yesterday. I think this is a great way to teach children that death is nothing to be afraid of, that its all part of the journey we are on and that after we die, our body, if buried, would provide nutrients for other living creatures and from death springs life.

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.

I thought that this was a lovely book.

It was well written, easy to read and follow and it had some wonderful illustrations.

It is a true telling of the circle of life and it might not be suitable for very young readers

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

A non-fiction book about life cycles - but specifically about the curious fox.
Although a non-fiction book, this is extremely charming, and you wish to look at it and read it multiple times.
It is nature-centred and realistic, and get does an excellent job of engaging the readers.

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