I probably should have put Gray Fox in the Moonlight with another book I reviewed due to their similarities of spiritualism but decided to pair it with The Garden Next Door as they are complete opposites. One (Gray Fox) is a soft, lullaby about the fox wandering the forest at night. It deals with nature, but at natures level. The other, (Garden) is loud and bold filled with much activity and critters of all shapes, sizes, and leg count.
Isaac Peterson brings Gray Fox in the Moonlight to life by allowing us to wonder with the fox. We see how she stops and looks, sees the things around them, is quiet and reflective. The fox gives us the wonderment of alone. And then they are off to their den before the light comes so she can be with her cubs. The poetic nature of the story allows it to flow along. And the art is simple, complimenting it.
Then we get rambunctious kids in The Garden Next Door. A brother and sister, plus their friend, wonder abut their neighbor and how they have all the flowers and animals in her yard. They learn that it is not magic, but nature at work doing what it does best. And when they (and their parents) learn of this, they decide they want to help the animals like the bees and insects and so much more. Collin Pine’s story is bouncy and jumping, while Tiffany Everett continues this awareness of color and detail with their illustrations.
If you are needing a book for the toddler up, Gray Fox will work best. And The Garden Next Door is best for five and up. But either book works well for a group or one-on-one reading.
I was unable to do a 250 word review for either title, therefore combining them. But both authors and the illusrator was new to me. Yet, I’ll be a good girl and only count this as one CBR15Passport,New to me author.
