Red Fox

Red Fox goes on the prowl for food for himself and Rose, his mate back in the den. This highly stylized creature tries the barnyard and the pond, but one is too fiercely guarded and the other full of unappetizing tadpoles and an eel. After losing track of a tasty-looking rabbit when a train appears, Red Fox heads for the city, where he spots a woman throwing a bag into the trash. ``Racing off with the bag in his mouth,'' Red Fox hurries home, where a double surprise awaits him--five new cubs are cuddled up next to Rose, and the bag contains a hearty dinner of burgers and fries. In Giffard's first picture book, her fox is a spunky character, and her energetic, batik-like illustrations possess diversity and engaging details. The writing, however, is somewhat flat--it lacks suspense, and the reader feels little sympathy for the new papa. Ages 4-8. (May)