BooksforTopics Reading for Pleasure Recommendations
Book Title: White Fox (available here)
Author: Chen Jiatong
Illustrator: Viola Wang
Publisher: Chicken House
Publication Date: Original Chinese text 2014, English translation by Jennifer Feeley 2019
Reviewed by: Kirsty Crommie, Primary Teacher
White Fox is the magical tale of an orphaned white fox cub, Dilah, who wants more than anything to be human. The story is beautifully translated by Jennifer Feeley from the original Chinese novel by author Chen Jiatong.
Dilah the fox cub wants to be human. He watches humans with interest and has a deep desire to become part of their world. Tragedy strikes and Dilah returns home to find his mother dying as she shares a secret with him that will change his life forever. She tells him about a treasure with the power to turn animals into humans and the key to its location is contained in a magical moonstone that just happens to be buried beneath their den.
So begins an epic quest and an enthralling adventure, involving sinister blue foxes who are also on the trail of the treasure and some wonderful characters who accompany Dilah on the different legs of his journey. Alongside Dilah’s adventure, the reader is engulfed by his fascination with humans and his desire to become human. The narrative is cleverly written to give the perspective of an animal while powerfully exploring our differences and similarities.
Overall, White Fox is a beautifully enchanting story about following your dreams and valuing the people (or animals, in this case) that you meet along the way who shape your journey. It is a tale of friendship; of the highs and lows of life and of the difference that we can all make to one another. On top of this, it is a thoroughly enjoyable read. I cannot wait to read the next chapter in Dilah’s journey.
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You can order White Fox online or from your local bookshop or library.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy of this book and to Review Panel member Kirsty for reviewing it.
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