Arctic Fox

Arctic Fox is one of many titles in Inhabit Media’s “Animals Illustrated” series. It is a very fine introduction to the Arctic fox. It describes the animal’s physiology and what makes the Arctic fox distinctive and supports the animal’s survival, along with its behaviour, diet, reproduction, predators, and other fun facts about this northern animal. Part of the description situates the Arctic fox into the broader Arctic ecology: not only what it eats and how it gets its food but also how Inuit people have traditionally used Arctic foxes as part of their survival.
The illustrations of both the Arctic fox and surrounding flora and fauna by Joseph Starkey are faithfully detailed without being overly technical or scientific, a perfect combination for introducing and educating young readers to the natural beauty and reality of these animals in their habitat without being sentimental or cartoonish. The illustrations also go a long way to supporting comprehension and connection with the text.

Brian Koonoo’s words provide useful facts and details about all aspects of the Arctic fox, striking a good balance between enough detail for readers to understand what truly makes this a unique creature without overwhelming readers with too much detail. However, there is at least one instance of very complex language (“…using their keen senses to hear lemmings hiding in the subnivean space…”) without a glossary or precise contextual clues as a reader’s aid. (I had to look up “subnivean”.) But at other times, where an unfamiliar term is used, an explanation is provided (“They can smell a carcass (a dead animal) from more than 30 miles away.”).

There is a link provided on the copyright page to Inuit-language resources, which is good, but some form of glossary for the English text is suggested, along with perhaps some video links to see the animal in action.

For young readers interested in learning more about Arctic foxes in particular, the north, or the intersection of animals and Inuit peoples, Arctic Fox is a terrific introduction or starting point for a school project.