Fiction Addict

Genre: Children

Publisher: Puffin

Publication Date: 2007

Reviewed by Jaci Miller

Mr. Fox has been stealing from Farmers Boggis, Bean and Bunce. So the three revolting farmers set out to trap and kill Mr. Fox and his family. Only when the family is surrounded and starving, without food or hope, does Mr. Fox reveal just how fantastic he is. In Fantastic Mr. Fox, Roald Dahl creates a compelling read for children as they follow the adventures of the Fox family and their battle to survive the farmers’ onslaught.

Dahl is a master storyteller who specializes in simple, straightforward, plot-based tales. No complex plot lines or subplots here. Just true, basic storytelling at its best. Children will root for the Foxes and hold their breaths, waiting to discover how the family escapes from a frightening situation.

The one problematic component of the story is the treatment of Mr. Fox’s stealing—it is deemed fully acceptable, and even explained in the text as such, because it is done for the sake of saving the Fox family from starvation. But, Dahl never deals with the original, frivolous stealing that triggered the farmers’ witch-hunt. He portrays the natural consequences of stealing as unjust to the thief. A film version of the book is now in theaters and it will be interesting to see how the film handles this tricky area.

Regardless, the tale is an exciting one that reads exceptionally well to younger elementary audiences and is an excellent transition from picture books to chapter books. It just needs to be paired with intentional conversation regarding the thievery element.