Amber: The Story of a Red Fox. Shirley Woods. Illustrated by Celia Godkin. Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2004. 96 pp., cloth, $19.95. ISBN 1-55041-811-4. Subject Headings: Foxes-Juvenile fiction. Nature-Juvenile fiction. Grades 2-5 / Ages 7-10. Review by Luella Sumner. *** /4

excerpt:

Although the kits still spent a lot of time in play, their daily routine had changed in a number of ways. Since the beginning of July they had been sleeping outside the den. When they got hungry between feedings, they had to forage for themselves. In late summer this wasn't a problem as there was plenty to eat nearby, including grasshoppers, raspberries, and blueberries.

Serious lessons began when the kits were three months old. From then on they went hunting with their parents most nights. By watching the adults, they learned how to stalk and catch a variety of small animals. After being shown how it was done, the kits were left to make kills on their own. At first Amber and her brothers found it difficult, and their prey usually escaped. After a few weeks of practice, however, they became quite good at catching mice and voles. This was a vital skill for the young foxes' survival, as mice and voles were staples of their diet. By the end of the summer the kits were able to track - and sometimes catch - hares, muskrats, and woodchucks.

On these outings the kits also learned to avoid certain woodland animals. One evening Amber chanced upon a young skunk separated from its family. She was all set to play with the little black and white stranger, when the skunk's mother appeared. The mother skunk had raised her tail and was about to spray Amber when the vixen barked a warning.

Another time, when she was hunting with her father, Amber picked up the scent of a porcupine. Following her nose, she nearly bumped into the slow moving animal. The porcupine raised its quills and lashed its tail at her. Unaware of the danger, she moved a step closer. At that moment her father rushed out of the shadows and bowled her over. If he hadn't knocked her away, Amber would certainly have got a face full of barbed quills and might have died.

For the first month of her life, Amber lives only in the den she shares with her four brothers and parents. When at last they are ready to leave the den in late spring, Amber and the other kits overcome their fears quickly. Soon they are having a wonderful time chasing, tumbling, wrestling and stalking each other. The parent foxes teach the kits all the skills they need to survive on their own when they go their separate ways in the autumn. When Amber is on her own, she finds the world a frightening place. She escapes several kinds of danger, including animals and humans, and wanders far afield, loney and scared. Every night, she barks loudly, looking for company, and, finally one night, she is answered. The young fox, Flame, comes running to her, and Amber is lonely no more.

     This story clearly shows that the author did careful research, and also that he knows how to write for children. He makes the animals engagingly human in their thoughts and actions, but the killing and eating of the prey is satisfyingly realistic. If there is anything negative to say about the story, it is that the story-telling is very sedate and calm. Even the parts that should be exciting have a prosaic feel to them. The illustrations are appealing and portray scenes from the story accurately. Altogether, Amber is a realistic, educational book for young readers.

     Shirley Woods lives in Nova Scotia with his wife and dogs. He is a naturalist and author of many books about nature for both adults and children. Celia Godkin is an award-winning illustrator of children's books. She has collaberated with Shirley Woods on his other nature books for young readers.

Recommended.

A retired librarian, Luella Sumner lives in Red Rock, ON.

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Published by The Manitoba Library Association ISSN 1201-9364

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