1970
WISE Score
Amazon
A masterclass in being a 'fantastic' dad while technically being a career criminal for chickens.
4.6
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This is Roald Dahl at his most focused. It’s not as dark as The Witches or as long as Matilda, which makes it the perfect gateway drug to 'real' books.
Unlike a lot of stuff from 1970, it doesn't feel dusty or slow. The 'us vs. them' dynamic between the animals and the farmers is timeless. It’s punchy, funny, and just slightly edgy enough to make kids feel like they’re reading something grown-up.
Perfect for 5-year-olds as a read-aloud, or 7-9 year olds reading solo. It’s short enough that it won't intimidate kids transitioning to chapter books.
The story centers on family loyalty and community survival. While Mr. Fox is a thief, his motivations are purely about feeding his family and outsmarting three truly nasty villains.
Dahl’s underground world is classic. The idea of a secret animal civilization tunneling right under the feet of oblivious humans is the kind of stuff that fuels playground games for weeks.
Generally very safe, though parents should know Mr. Fox gets his tail shot off early on. It's treated with typical Dahl-esque unsentimentality, but sensitive kids might find the farmers' obsession with killing the foxes a bit intense.
Excellent vocabulary and a masterclass in pacing. It encourages resourcefulness and shows that brains usually beat brawn (and heavy machinery).
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