The Woods

The woods are home to three foxes: Tiny, Tall and Round, who are all dedicated to catching rabbits. However, when their efforts fail to bear fruit, Round and Tall lose commitment to the rabbit hunt and suggest that doughnuts and acorns might be easier prey.

Yet Tiny Fox is adamant: they will capture every last rabbit in the woods. But who is placing signs through the forest, leading the foxes into peril? Might Tiny, Tall and Round have slightly underestimated their fluffy nemesis?

Hodgson’s second picture book after The Cave, gifted to every Reception-aged child in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2019 for BookTrust’s Time to Read campaign, is an ingenious and hilarious hunter/prey story with a delightful twist. The three foxes with their comically long snouts and staring eyes are the perfect villains of the piece, chasing a prey that is in complete control of the situation.

Hodgson’s style is colourful, clean and graphic with a lovely clear text; it reads excellently and has just the right level of interest to make children laugh without being long or wordy.

Highly recommended for fans of a funny picture book with an extra cheer for a clever underdog.