Mungo on His Own

Burgess (Fireworks) and Benbassat (Tove Under the Tree) spotlight the mix of experiences and feelings that accompany early forays into independence throughout this empathic story about a fox kit’s inaugural solo outing. On a late-autumn night, bushy-tailed fox Mungo gets a hunger for red berries, and, “though the forest was dark/ and the berry bush far away,” his mother agrees he can forage alone. At first, the outing brings various frights, but Mungo strengthens his resolve by recalling lessons (“how to cross the creek,/ how to blend in with the underbrush”) imparted by his mother over the summer. Soon, the creature’s mouth is stained red with berry juice, and he’s frolicking in the season’s first snow before a return home yields maternal pride and cuddles. Alternating immersive full-bleed spreads with vignettes framed by berry-laden branches, soft, digitally colored pencil-and-charcoal renderings build out the work’s changing mood. Occasional onomatopoeia additionally enhances the story’s emotional aspects (swooping owls’ “Hoo! Hoo! Hoo!” prove frightening; a snowy “swoosh” accompanies a frolic through pillowy hillsides of downy snow) throughout this warmly triumphant journey. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Erica Rand Silverman, Stimola Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Jan.)