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Formats
Paperback Details
  • 04/2021
  • 978-1776302291 177630229X
  • 31 pages
  • $9.99
Hardcover Details
  • 04/2021
  • 978-1776302307 1776302303
  • 32 pages
  • $24.99
Ebook Details
  • 04/2021
  • 978-1-77630-231-4 B093DDPHML
  • 17 pages
  • $5.74
Arthur Strangekin
Author, Illustrator
Not a Fox

Fox is planning the chicken heist of the century! 

But will the farmer see through Fox’s clever disguises & hilariously "spot-on" impressions before it's too late?

Will Fox go undercover as an alien, magician or scientist in his latest caper? 

Find out! And maybe stay for dinner...

Reviews
Creating a “delicious master plan,” Strangekin’s crafty fox protagonist, a self-identified “master of disguise,” has a single-minded bent—chicken stew—in this dialogue-driven treatment of a well-worn premise. Determined to fill an enormous black cauldron, the fox alternates costumes befitting a chicken scientist, a police officer, and other plausibly legitimizing personae. In each subsequent scene, the costumed fox approaches the same farmer, portrayed with pale skin and a beard, and makes a play for the fowl: as a police officer, “We’ve received reports of a fox pretending to be a chicken scientist. I’m afraid I’ll need to question your chickens.” The farmer has suspicions (“Say, are you that chicken scientist in disguise?”), but the fox successfully alleviates them (“Look at my badge. Look at my sunglasses!”), until the farmer’s realization necessitates adjustments to the plan. Though the plotting becomes repetitive, and the appearance of a turban-clad magician strikes an unfortunate note, vividly hued illustrations, punny strategies (“Plan D: Sleight of Hen”), and deadpan deliveries give this costumed caper a lift. Ages 3–8. (Self-published)
Reviewed By Bruce Arrington for Readers’ Favorite

Not a Fox by Arthur Strangekin is an illustrated children’s book about a very clever fox who is rather greedy. He is smart enough to outwit a farmer by convincing him to start handing over his chickens, but as we learn, one just isn’t enough. Will the fox be able to fill his pot, or is something else brewing that the fox isn’t aware of?

I absolutely love this book. It is filled to the brim with so much fun, detail, humor, and character that I know kids will also love it. It’s the kind of book that I want to read over again, just for the laughs. The artwork is obviously done by a pro who knows how to create perfect pages for a story such as this.

The creative twist that the fox uses to get what he desires makes him especially likable. There is no limit to his intelligence, though he also learns that he’s not the only smart one around. And the positives for kids reading this is that it will help them to think outside the box, using their imaginations to solve problems, instead of reacting to situations with the same old tired results. And if plan A doesn’t work, they can remember how the fox’s ideas went to plan F before all was said and done!

Not a Fox by Arthur Strangekin is a clear winner and is sure to be a favorite among many young readers, not to mention many more adults who share this hilarious tale with them. Highly recommended for readers of all ages. Outstanding work! Very well done!

Reviewed By Jennifer Ibiam for Readers’ Favorite

Not a Fox by Arthur Strangekin is an interesting children’s book that will appeal to both the old and young. A fox longing for a sumptuous dinner of chickens mapped out a plan to get them for free. Its idea was to create disguises to rip off the farmer. First, it disguised itself as a scientist who needed a chicken for an experiment, which the farmer believed. He gave the fox a chicken that went into the cooking pot. Unsatisfied, he went for another chicken, this time disguised as a police officer who wanted to interview the chickens. On and on, the fox was disguised as a business owner, con artist, magician, and the list goes on. He was a master of disguise, but will he get off scot-free? Will the farmer ever follow his instincts?

Chickens always come home to roost; a hard truth that Not a Fox by Arthur Strangekin brought to light! This novel was fun to read and laced with humor, but it contained great lessons that everyone should heed. Most times, we are carried away by appearances, taking people at face value while failing to look for substance. We end up duped and ask where we went wrong. This was the case of the farmer because to him appearances were enough, even though his gut said otherwise. However, no misdeed goes unpunished, and evil-doers end up a victim of their games–-another lesson to learn.

Arthur wrote a clear and concise book with eye-friendly pictures and an educative yet fun storyline. I loved the concept of a villain fox. Overall, it’s a beautiful book and I loved it!

Reviewed By Michelle Stanley for Readers’ Favorite

“The fox changes his fur but not his habits.” Not a Fox is a fun children’s picture book by Arthur Strangekin. Fox is hungry and wants something to eat. He devises a chicken-flavored master plan called The Eggs-periment, Plan A, and goes to a farm dressed as a scientist. Fox politely asks the farmer to lend him a chicken to conduct an experiment. The farmer doubts he’s a scientist but after some convincing, Fox gets a chicken named Minnie to put in his pot. But one chicken won’t do so Fox devises Plan B: Fowl Play. This time, he dresses as a police officer and tells the farmer that he’s received a report of a fox pretending to be a scientist and needs to question the chickens. The farmer still suspects something is afoul with Fox’s disguise. Clever, quick thinking Fox gives the farmer an excuse and gets to take home Maggie. He begins to wonder if two chickens will be enough and creates another plan!

“There’s more to Fox than meets the eye.” Fox is clever at devising plans in his attempts to get a chicken or two for his meal. I admire his determination to never give up. His disguises and antics are hilarious and I got a few good laughs from every page I turned. The colorful illustrations showing Fox up to his tricks are amazing.

Arthur Strangekin’s writing style is lively and humorous. Not a Fox is an educational, entertaining children’s picture book that will bring a lot of laughter to anyone reading it.

Formats
Paperback Details
  • 04/2021
  • 978-1776302291 177630229X
  • 31 pages
  • $9.99
Hardcover Details
  • 04/2021
  • 978-1776302307 1776302303
  • 32 pages
  • $24.99
Ebook Details
  • 04/2021
  • 978-1-77630-231-4 B093DDPHML
  • 17 pages
  • $5.74
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