Sandford, John. BrindleFox. New York: WorthyKids, 2023.

Guide to categories: Kid Review – review of books for elementary-aged and younger children

Links in this post may be affiliate links. Purchases made using these links will not cost you more but may pay me an affiliate fee. Thanks for using my links which help support this blog.

Summary of BrindleFox

Immerse yourself in a world reminiscent of a Brothers Grimm fairy tale with this gorgeously illustrated story about a reclusive fox, a mysterious tree, and the life-giving power of friendship.
 
BrindleFox refuses to be a friend, so he has no friends. He never lets anyone into his home, so he doesn’t bother to clean it. Moss and ivy weave through his furniture, and weeds and grasses grow on his floors and in his drawers. One morning, he discovers something unexpected—a tree has begun sprouting from his back. Unphased by this development, he continues on with his life, and the tree continues to grow. One day, a strange heron appears in his tree. Furious, BrindleFox attempts to drive the intruder away and finds himself stunned by something he doesn’t understand—a selfless act of kindness from a fearless new friend. 
 
     Brilliantly illustrated, BrindleFox touches on themes of sadness, loneliness, self-care, and the redeeming power of friendship in simple ways that children will intuitively understand. Little ones will be welcomed into a world brimming with hidden wonders and memorable characters that they will want to revisit time and time again.

Purchase BrindleFox on Amazon

My Kid Review of BrindleFox

John Sandford has created a beautiful picture book teaching the lesson of being a friend. Friendship can be a hard lesson for little ones to learn – especially during their first exposures to other children their own age. Sandford provides children with two different examples. BrindleFox shows how not to behave if you want friends. Heron shows how to make friends, even with prickly people. 

Sandford also did the illustrations for his text. He used oils on watercolor paper. The illustrations are beautiful. They complement and go beyond the text. I believe the book is worthy of a Caldecott. 

Parents and early childhood teachers will want to use this book with their children to encourage friendly behavior.

K-12 Christian school libraries should consider adding BrindleFox to their library. It is a great addition for a picture book section. 

I received a complimentary copy of BrindleFox. This is my honest review. 

Read more Kid Review posts.