Here is a list of foxy books (mostly fiction) which are recommended by
myself or others.
If you can recommend a piece of fiction, please email me with
the title and author, plus, if you can, ISBN, first publishing
date, last known printing date, and a short non-spoiler comment.
Quote the back-cover 'blurb' if you feel it summarises sufficiently.
Enjoy!
Last updated 3rd December 1997
Explanation of fields:
TITLE - The book's title
AKA - Also published with this title
AUTHOR - Author's pseudonym or name
ISBN - ISBN of this binding
FIRST - First printing date
RECENT - Most recent /known/ printing date (probably inaccurate)
SUMMARY - BRIEF summary, with email of submitter if known
BLURB - Publishers' 'blurb' as quoted
NOTES - Pertinant notes
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Ownership of names and trademarks acknowledged and respected.
Publishers' 'blurb' reproduced for review purposes.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
TITLE: "Hunter's Moon (A Story Of Foxes)" (UK Title)
AKA: "The Foxes Of Firstdark" (US Title)
AUTHOR: KILWORTH, Garry
ISBN: 0-04-440615-0 (UK paperback) 0385264275 (US)
FIRST: 1989, UK: Unwin (Trade)
RECENT: 1990, UK: Unwin Paperbacks, US: Doubleday
SUMMARY: Quite the most beautiful and relentlessly harsh piece of fox
fiction I have read, as much of an experience to read as Franky
Furbo, but for different reasons. An unconvoluted tale, which
employs superb storytelling, characters, and a fascinating fox
mythos of spiritualism to impart the tale of a fox family
struggling to survive in modern-day Britain. STRONGLY RECOMMENDED!
Inspired by David Macdonald's "Running With the Fox".
[Adam Moss: adam@foxbox.org]
NOTES: Difficult to find. HOWEVER, one shop in Oxford not
only stocks the paperback, but has it at a sale price -
1.25 UK pounds from "Affordable Books", 33/34 Cornmarket Street,
Oxford, ENGLAND. I've been unable to contact them with regards
to mail-order. I hear that "The Foxes Of Firstdark" is
available as a hardback in the US. Edward Szetela
(szetela@pr.erau.edu) tells me that this book is easily
available from libraries in the US. Note that it is out of
print in both the UK and the US but may still be found.
--------------------
TITLE: "The Fox And The Hound"
AUTHOR: MANNIX, Daniel P.
ISBN: (if ISBN is what I think it is) 67-20531
FIRST: 1967 US, Dutton
RECENT: I don't think it's been printed for awhile
SUMMARY: A fabulous story about a young fox who will not be tamed, and a
hound who will be his lifelong enemy. The fox, Tod, spends
his life trying to survive, with both the hound and humanity
on his heels. This story has an excellent environmental issue
mixed in with it and a stupendous ending. This story is
rather graphic in it's violence and description.
[Kris: Cmfic37@aol.com]
NOTES: May be difficult to find, I don't think it's being printed
anymore. I managed to find a First Print edition by putting
several ads in the newspapers. Highly recommended piece of
literature, not just for fox fiction
--------------------
TITLE: "Franky Furbo"
AUTHOR: WHARTON, William
ISBN: 0-8050-1157-9 (US Paperback, illustrated, pub: Henry Holt)
ISBN: 0-340-53950-X (UK Paperback, illustrated, pub: Sceptre Books)
ISBN: 0-224-02626-7 (UK Hardback, illustrated, pub: Jonathan Cape)
FIRST: 1989
RECENT: 1991, UK: Sceptre (Hodder and Stoughton Paperbacks)
SUMMARY: A thought-provoking book, almost to the point of being
disturbing. An excellent read, and, as a friend put it,
"if that ending doesn't make you stop and think for an hour
or more, you didn't read it right". Don't let anyone reveal
too much of the plot to you. Then the twists should hit you
harder. :)
[Adam Moss: adam@foxbox.org]
BLURB: "In a small Italian village, William Wiley captivates his
children with stories of Franky Furbo, a super-intelligent
magical fox who saved his life during the Second World War.
When the family doubt Franky's authenticity William sets out
to convince them and, in the process, draw an astonishing
perspective on the human race - past, present and long into
the future."
NOTES: Dan Lorey (d124@cornell.edu) has acquired a number of copies
of the US paperback which he's willing to send to interested
parties at $1 per copy, plus postage. Cheers, Dan!
--------------------
TITLE: "The Running Foxes"
AUTHOR: STRANGER, Joyce
ISBN:
FIRST: 1965, UK: Hammond, Hammond & Co.
RECENT: 1967, UK: Corgi, illustrated
SUMMARY: A tale of two foxes, brothers, 'running wild over the
Cumberland hills.' Standard fox-survival story which is enjoyable
enough while it lasts, but is nothing overly special. Not enough
focus on the foxes, but generally well-told.
[Adam Moss: adam@foxbox.org]
NOTES: Still in print, in the UK as hardback at least. This hardback
edition is missing the charming illustrations of the 1967 paperback
edition.
--------------------
TITLE: "Red Fox"
AUTHOR: ROBERTS, Sir Charles G. D.
ISBN: 0-582-15286-0 (UK Hardback, illustrated, pub: Longman Young Books)
FIRST: 1905 (Canada?)
RECENT: 1974
SUMMARY: Interesting survival story of a red fox in Canada.
[Adam Moss: adam@foxbox.org]
BLURB: ... "Well-known naturalist and nature writer Charles G.D. Roberts
wrote the story of Red Fox near the turn of the century. A
true-to-life story of the life cycle of a fox in the eastern Canadian
wilds, it was then and remains today a dramatic adventure of survival,
all the more fascinating for the nature and talents of this
particular fox." ...
-------------------- 94.9.6 :
TITLE: "Cinnabar, The One O'Clock Fox"
AUTHOR: HENRY, Marguerite
ISBN:
FIRST: 1956, US: Rand McNally & Co
RECENT: 1980, paperback
SUMMARY: Written for kids, this juvenile novel is about a fox in
Colonial America who lives for the chase, deliberatly seeking
out and tormenting riders and hounds. When he shows up on
schedule for a hunt led by George Washington himself,
Cinnabar finds out he may have finally met his
match.
[Margaret D. Carspecken: mcarspec@ozfoxes.com]
--------------------
TITLE: "Biography of a Silver Fox"
AUTHOR: SETON, Ernest Thompson
ISBN: 0-8032-4200-X
ISBN: 0-8032-9191-4 (paperback)
FIRST: 1909, US: New York, Century Co.
RECENT: 1988, US: Bison Books
SUMMARY: The adventures of the silver-furred Domino as he
outsmarts hunters and hounds alike. (Non-anthro)
[Margaret D. Carspecken: mcarspec@ozfoxes.com]
--------------------
TITLE: "The Fox Family"
AUTHOR: TAKETAZU, Minoru
ISBN: 0-8348-1039-5
FIRST: 1979, US: New York, John Weatherhill
SUMMARY: Translated and adapted by Richard L. Gage. The
Japanese version of "Running with the Fox". A Japanese
veterinarian, armed with camera, dialogues this photostudy
of the foxes that inhabit Hokkaido island in Japan.
[Margaret D. Carspecken: mcarspec@ozfoxes.com]
--------------------
TITLE: "Jack Fox, Licensed Detective"
AUTHOR: FJELL, Ingemar
ISBN:
SUMMARY: This juvenile novel is a
funny spoof of the Sherlock Holmes genre, as Jack Fox,
Licensed Detective, and his brave sidekick, Edward the
Ermine, try to track down the most deadly villian known,
the sinister Lisping X. (I read this book some 18 years
ago and someday hope to find a copy for my own library!)
[Margaret D. Carspecken: mcarspec@ozfoxes.com]
NOTES: Translated from Swedish.
--------------------
TITLE: "The White Fox" (US Title)
AKA: "The Singing Tree" (UK Title)
AUTHOR:
ISBN:
NOTES: Don't know anything about the author, story, or publication
of this book, but I know some folks, including myself, who
hope to find a copy someday!
[Margaret D. Carspecken: mcarspec@ozfoxes.com]
-------------------- 94.12.20 :
TITLE: "Fantastic Mr. Fox"
AUTHOR: DAHL, Roald
ISBN: 0-14-032872-6 (soft edition)
FIRST: 1970 (reissue 1988)
SUMMARY: Ages 8-12yrs
Three mean farmers-Bunce,Boggis and Bean try to exterminate Mr.Fox
and they will do anything but Mr.Fox and his family have different
plans. They get the aid of other wild animals and outwit the three
farmers. An entertaining story with plenty of action. Black and
white cartoon like illustrations.A well written tale by the author
that penned "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory".
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
--------------------
TITLE: "The Midnight Fox"
AUTHOR: BYARS, Betsy
ISBN: 0-14-031450-4 (soft)Puffin Books(a div.of Penguin Publ.)
SUMMARY: Ages 8-12 yrs
Tom is a city kid and must spend two months in the country with his
Aunt and Uncle. While there he discovers a vixen and her young cub.
When her life and that of her cub is threatened, Tom knows exactly
what must be done. This book is a little slow to start but gets much
better and I don't think anyone will be disappointed in the ending.
A wonderful tale about growing up and foxes.
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
--------------------
TITLE: "Haunt Fox"
AUTHOR: KJELGAARD, Jim
FIRST: 1954
SUMMARY: Ages 11-14yrs
This is a great story about a red fox, and a boy and his dog and
the wilderness that they hunt in. The characters are well thought
out for this level of reading and believable. The action moves along
well the climax chase has a truly surprise ending.
NOTES: My edition is very old but I have seen it in soft cover
recently.
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
--------------------
TITLE: "The Cunning Little Vixen"
AUTHOR: TESNOHLIDEK, Rudolf
Translated by Tatiana Firkusny, Maritz Morgan and Robert T. Jones.
FIRST: 1920
SUMMARY: Ages Adult
If you search for only one book on foxes, make it this one. The story
is very old written and published in cartoon form in Brno newspaper
in 1920. Leos Janacek based his opera of the same name on this
wonderful story. Vixen Sharp-Ears is the main character and through
her we see the wonderful world of not so innocent animals living out
their lives in a brutal harmony with the not much happier human
counterparts. The illustrations are done by Maurice Sendak and they
are just fabulous. His pictures were used to pattern the costumes
for the 1981 production by The New York City Opera.This book is out
of print now but pretty easy to find in the U.S.A. and maybe just as
available in the U.K. Good luck!
It is well worth the search. Check out the opera too, it is a great
piece of music and is available in both English and Czech.
NOTES: Publ.by Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Hard Bound only 1st edition 1985 Library of Congress #85-13195
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
-------------------- 95.2.11 :
TITLE: "Rufus"
AUTHOR: DUDLEY, Ernest
RECENT: Published in 1971 U.K., 1972 U.S.A. Hart Publishing Company
SUMMARY: A true story of a wild born fox that was captured as avery
young kit and raised by Don MacCaskill a forest ranger in Scotland.
Rufus becomes beloved by everyone who meets him and is very endearing
himself although local farmers and ranchers are at odds with the idea
of a "tame fox". This a warm and well written factual account of
Rufus. The photos are great. There is a sequel called "FOR THE LOVE OF
A WILD THING" by the same author which continues Rufus's adventures
and life with his mate Frieda. It is very sad and for those of you who
really get involved with these things I don't recommend it. I cried
for at least a week and even as I write this.
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
--------------------
TITLE: "The Foxes of Beachy Cove"
AUTHOR: HORWOOD, Harold
RECENT: Published in 1967 U.S.A. and Canada by Doubleday
SUMMARY: Mr. Horwood a naturalist who lives along the eastern banks of
Newfoundland has written a wonderful narrative of the
wildlife he sees, but above all the foxes and their
family. Whether climbing a tree to break a trail or teaching
their cubs to stalk they never cease to amuse and amaze. They
dominate this book and it has wonderful insights in to their secret
lives.
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
--------------------
TITLE: "Rinkin of Dragon's Wood"
AUTHOR: COLSON, Thora
RECENT: Published in 1965 U.S.A. by E.P.Dutton Inc.
SUMMARY: This is the story of the first year in the life of Rinkin, a
fox. With his brothers and sisters he is initiated by his mother into
all the mysteries of the place in which they live-including the
greatest mystery of all,the Dragon, whose track lies at the edge of
the wood. This book, which moves on the borderland of poetry, never
loses touch with the life of the wildwood. The author has a true gift
for conveying its wonder, its magic and its earthiness all at
the same time. If you see this one Grab It!
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
--------------------
TITLE: "How to Spot a Fox"
AUTHOR: HENRY, J. David
ISBN: 1-88157-18-2(hard edition)
FIRST: 1993
RECENT: available hard and soft cover published by Chapters
SUMMARY: Ages 12-Adult
A very good guide on fox finding and watching. Covers topics like:
Prime places to watch for foxes, Fox tracks and signs, how foxes
organize their world, why foxes look they way they do, fox as a hunter
fox conservation. A beautifully written book with excellent photos
of foxes.
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
--------------------
TITLE: "Foxes"
AUTHOR: GRAHAM, Keith
ISBN: 0-948661-20-8(soft cover)
FIRST: 1991 by Colin Baxter Photography Ltd.
RECENT: available in soft cover, maybe hard cover for sp.order
SUMMARY: Ages 12-Adult
A british guide devoted to the life style of foxes. Includes their
biology and dangers they face in the world of man. Conservation etc.
The photography again in this book is excellent. I always want to
cut out some of the pics for framing. They are that beautiful.
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
--------------------
TITLE: "VULPES The Red Fox"
AUTHOR: GEORGE, John and Jane
FIRST: 1948 First Edition by E.P.Dutton & Co.
SUMMARY: A well written and realistic account of the life of a fox. It is
wildlife without sentiment and makes an accurate and exciting story.
In fact it may be a little to harsh and realistic for some.
The illustrations are black and white watercolour, and very beautiful.
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
--------------------
TITLE: "The Knowing One"
AUTHOR: SMITH, Eunice Young (SMITH-YOUNG, Eunice?)
FIRST: 1967 First Edition by Meredith Press
SUMMARY: In this account of a brave little fox, Smith does not attempt
to hide the truth, but her picture of the cruel uncompromising
exsistence of the wild ones evokes as well the lyric beauty of the
woodland year, its voluptuosness its teeming life. You will be
engrossed with this one completely. The illustrations are charcoal and
done by the author.
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
--------------------
TITLE: "The Forest in the Wind"
AUTHOR: JAYNE, Mitchell F.
FIRST: 1966 First Edition by The Bobbs and Merrill Co.
SUMMARY: This is a beautiful and unusual book in which the author
brings to the reader new insights into the eternal struggle
between man and nature.It is life through the eyes of the
fox, his understanding of the pleasures and dangers of nature
how he attempts to rationalize the exsistence of irrational
man and his attack against nature. This is a very simple but
powerful book.
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
--------------------
TITLE: "The Fox at the Manger"
AUTHOR: TRAVERS, P.L.
FIRST: 1962 First Edition by John Lydon Limited
A wonderful story in a story. A young mother recounts for her children
the legend of the animals talking at the manger to the baby Jesus and
of their gifts. The fox's gift is the truest of them all
because he gives the one thing that allows him survival, his
cunning. She is telling this story on Christmas eve of the
first Christmas after WWII and the bombing of London has
ended. The illustrations are wood engravings by Thomas Bewick.
This is both a great fox tale and Christmas tale all in one.
NOTE: P.L. Travers wrote Mary Poppins.
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
--------------------
TITLE: "Vixie, the Story of a Little Fox"
AUTHOR: FOX, Dr. Michael
RECENT: Published 1973 by Longman of Canada Limited.
ISBN: GB-698-30527-2 or TR-698-20275-9
SUMMARY: A perfectly charming little story of a fox cub growing up and
finding a mate, her first winter and spring on her own. This
is well written but as you read more of these fox books it is a little
predictable. The black and white illustrations are well done
by Jennifer Perott. The text is based on the authors
observations and Dr. Fox has written many books on canids and
more recently conservation and the environment.
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
--------------------
TITLE: "The Huntsman at the Gate"
AUTHOR: JENKS, Almet
FIRST: published by J.B. Lippencott Co. copyright 1952 first edition
SUMMARY: This is a wonderfully strange tale of a huntsman who never
returns home from a fox hunt. Anybody who loves foxes will
like this twist and the ultimate judgement by a group of the
huntsmans peers so to speak. I can't say more without giving
it away, but it too will leave you pondering for a little while
after you read it. Lightly illustrated in black and white.
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
--------------------
TITLE: "Letters From Foxy"
AUTHOR: ROSS, David
FIRST: Pantheon books 1966 First edition
SUMMERY: I always smile from start to finish on this book. Through
Foxy's letters to his uncle the account of how Foxy moves his
family from Hertfordshire to Renard Castle are told. It is an
enchanting little piece of fiction and the illustrations are
very good. I would love to know if there was ever a second
book of Letters from Foxy.
[Theresa Stefancik: wilddogs@licaone.iii.net]
--------------------
TITLE: Fox In A Trap
AUTHOR: THOMAS, Jane Resh
RECENT: 1987
SUMMARY: A boy learns trapping from his uncle. he starts out thinking
he'll like it, but after they catch and kill their first fox,
he reconsiders. Very good!
['Emilie': murals@mail.sover.net]
--------------------
TITLE: The Fox Busters
AUTHOR: KING-SMITH, Dick
FIRST: 1978
RECENT: 1990
SUMMARY: This book will give you nightmares if you hate to see foxes
die. A flock of chickens in England get it into there heads
to train 3 unusual pullets whom are born to dive bomb foxes
with altered eggs. Author hints at making it like the battle
of Britain (the foxes being the Nazis, unfortunately).
['Emilie': murals@mail.sover.net]
--------------------
[NON-FICTION]
TITLE: The World of the Fox
AUTHOR: GRAMBO, Rebecca L.
ISBN: 9-780871-563774
RECENT: 1995
SUMMARY: A book wich covers so much of foxes life, and history, by a
fox observer. It has such things as: foxes around the world,
seasons of the fox (based on real life sightings) humans and
foxes, (foxes in myth, foxes as quarry, foxes as fur bearers,
foxes as vermin, foxes and rabies, and a look at the future)
and more.
['Emilie': murals@mail.sover.net]
--------------------
29 titles, contributions from:
Margaret D. Carspecken, Adam D. Moss, Theresa Stefancik, 'Kris', 'Emilie'.
--------------------
adam@foxbox.org
And if that wasn't enough, there's a lot more in John Cawley's
book list. Have fun!
