By David Greaves (author) , Danielle Callaghan (illustrator)
Hardback Not Available
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I absolutely love this book. The illustrations are beautiful with so much colourful detail. The story is very poignant, we've all been stuck in places we don't want to be, trying to find the courage to change our situation. The Fox does just that and the story ends on a positive note, a lesson for us all.
The story is told in verse, but not the simple baby verse of early readers. This is much more subtle rhyming, but it flows easily. My grandchildren ( ages 6-10) all enjoyed reading this book and have asked for it a few times. A book to be enjoyed on many levels and one for the bookshelf.
Chris Woolfenden, A LoveReading4Kids Ambassador
Exquisitely illustrated by Danielle Callaghan, The Homesick Fox is a melancholy tale with an uplifting ending, exploring feelings of isolation and loneliness in an urban fox which has lost its way and yearns for its spiritual home: the countryside. At last the fox can bear his solitude no more, and without knowing where his paws will take him, sets off on a journey into the night.
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David Greaves' poetic, multi-layered children's story evokes ‘the call of the wild’, a mysterious and wondrous thing: but The Homesick Fox will also appeal to adults working in the ‘Big Smoke’ and pining for the quietude and slower rhythms of country life.
"Children will love this and they won't forget it either - the sign of a great story, well told and wonderfully illustrated" - Michael Morpurgo
Born in Yorkshire in 1985, David Greaves' kindness and generosity of spirit, and his love of travel and adventure led him to make friends around the world with people from all walks of life. The stamina and strength of character demonstrated by David's achievements as an ultra-marathon runner and Iron Man triathlete were also shown by his determination to complete The Homesick Fox, and a considerable number of other stories for children while living with the cruel limitations imposed by Motor Neurone Disease (ALS), diagnosed shortly after David's thirtieth birthday in June 2015. In September 2015 David married the love of his life, Philippa, soon after which they climbed Mt Kilimanjaro together, raising over £12,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, then travelled widely in East Africa before settling in Newcastle upon Tyne. As MND progressively deprived David of the use of his hands, and then the power of speech, he finished his collection of children's books using revolutionary computer software which allowed him to communicate by tracking and translating into readable text the movement of his eyes. David Greaves passed away peacefully at home in September 2016. David's wife Philippa and his family intend to honour his outstanding gifts as a children's author by eventually publishing all David's completed works.
Here's the ITV Tyne Tees Interview with David's family about the writing of Mr Snuffles' Birthday and David's Motor Neurone diseasediagnosis:
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This is a beautiful book. The story-line may be simple but the sentiment is one that many will have shared at some stage in their lifetime.
When fox wanders into the unknown territory of the city and remains there, his loneliness and isolation encourage him to escape and rediscover his former life in the countryside. This is a beautiful book. The story-line may be simple but the sentiment is one that many will have shared at some stage in their lifetime. The artwork is simply exquisite; impeccable in colour and detail, it is a book that I would keep on a coffee table and delight in opening. Written in well-constructed rhyming prose, I enjoyed the variety in verb and adjectival use and the lively pace reflects the fox's journey.... Read Full Review
Great story about being homesick and how to get back home. The illustrations are very bright and colourful.
The is a story about a lonely fox who lived in the city and was very homesick. He dreamt about what he used to be like. He used to live in the forest, hunted at night, had alert eyes, keen and bright, barked at the moon and stars in the sky. He had been wild, stealthy and sly. He was wild and free.
He strayed into the city one night and can't remember why he stayed. He didn't like being tame. He didn't have to hunt for food just scavenge every night. He yearned for home. The sounds at night, engines revved, headlights glared, sirens wailed, car horns blared, lorries rumbled into the night with fog lights on. Fumes and smoke made the fox cough, whine and choke. He was so very lonely.
One night he decided he had enough of the loneliness.... Read Full Review
This book will have you completely enamoured with its affable fox, through poetic storytelling that was thoroughly entertaining to read.
The Homesick Fox by David Greaves is a hopeful tale about a lonely city fox who decides to venture off into the enchanting woodlands of the countryside, in search of companionship and a place they can call home. The story together with its expressive artwork, vividly illustrated by Danielle Callaghan is fun for both parent and child alike with its poignant lessons and stirring themes, such as loneliness. The Homesick Fox is the perfect answer to the question; Can adults enjoy children's books? Yes, they most definitely can!... Read Full Review
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Homesick Fox and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-8 years old
The Homesick Fox features in the following genres: Featured Books for 7+ readers, Recommendations, Indie Books We Love, PSHE: Self-Awareness, Self-Esteem and Wellbeing, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Animal Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Indie Author Books
Hardback. Not Available.
The Homesick Fox was written by David Greaves and published by Stanage Press Ltd
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