Fox Eyes by Margaret Wise Brown and Garth Williams

"Whiskerchew," is the catchphrase in this retro picture book which made its debut in 1951.  It is also the word uttered by the old fox as he goes about his daily activities and notices the hiding places of other woodland animals and their secret stashes of food. They are unnerved by the red fox and are panicked into departing from their daily routines. Author, Margaret Wise broom  published over a hundred children's books and unfortunately for the literary world only lived to be forty-two. This little gem which introduced many a ninety-year old to reading is now sadly out of publication. The above Collins Picture Lions edition was published in 1980. Below is one of the beautiful illustrations by illustrator  Garth Williams and you can see the fox spying through the rocks.

A House in Town by William Mayne & Sarah Fox-Davies

A fox mother, Vixen, returns one day after stalking prey along the hills to find machines in the process of demolishing the house where she has been rearing her cubs. She must act quickly and get them to a safe haven. En route with the youngest in her jaws she is set upon by a pack of dogs. Workmen in the streets cheer for the foxes. The story follows her as she desperately tries to exit the town. The ending is satisfactory and this book would suit a middle primary to an upper primary student gaining confidence in reading. The gentle illustrations by Sarah Fox-Davies are stunning and mirror the text closely which would help students with the reading of the book.