Pajama Press

Little Fox discovers his own ingenuity and resilience as he safely navigates being lost—and found.

Little Fox’s paw prints make such beautiful pictures in the newly fallen snow. Left here, right there, around that fallen branch—he scatters them throughout the forest until, too late, he finds he can’t retrace his steps back home. Lost and afraid, Little Fox wants to agree when a kind, old owl offers to fly ahead and guide him. But Mama Fox has warned him often: “If ever you are lost, my child, / don’t let a stranger guide you. / Be still and I will search the wild / until I am beside you.”

In gentle, expressive text, Nicole Snitselaar spins a tale that goes far beyond a simple “stranger danger” warning. Her Little Fox, equipped with his own ingenuity as well as his mother’s wisdom, cleverly finds a way for the other animals to attract Mama Fox’s attention while keeping himself safe. Alicia Padrón renders this resilient Little Fox and his forest companions in soft watercolours, their rounded shapes and endearing features easing any anxiety that little listeners might feel about being lost.

Reviews:
“…Padrón’s cute animals and soft scenes of winter woods, done in muted grays, blues, and earth tones, pair well with the gentle words of this story to reach a satisfying conclusion and a gentle lesson for the very young…”—Kirkus Reviews

“Snitselaar has written a pleasant, if not highly original, story that will reassure young listeners about parental love. Soft sepia-toned illustrations show simple animal figures on a white background that imparts a chill winter feeling.”—CM Magazine

“Padrón uses elegant and simple shapes and earth tones. She creates lost scenes that are just scary enough, and as the tale lightens, the addition of other young animals to the backgrounds brightens the mood….A sweet and simple cautionary tale perfect for lapsits and one-on-one sharing.”—School Library Journal

“…[T]his nonthreatening story acts as an important conversation starter for children about strangers and getting lost. Snitselaar’s text explores negative emotions like fear, anxiety and uncertainty that children may associate with being separated from a caregiver….Most significantly, children are reminded that they should not automatically trust strangers, but that seeking help can be a positive thing. The story also champions ingenuity, emphasizing that it is important to be creative when faced with a problem.”—Resource Links

“Told in a non-frightening way, this story addresses the situation of what to do if a child becomes separated from his mother….Without making children anxious about the situation, it teaches them a strategy.”—Youth Services Book Review

“Known for her imaginative use of animals in storytelling, Belgian-born Nicole Snitselaar has created a charming tale…This book is beautifully illustrated by Venezuelan artist Alicia Padrón. There are no scary creatures or dark threatening corners in these woods, just soft fluffy snow and the most adorable animals you can imagine….”—Life in Québec Magazine

“Everything about Little Fox, Lost is sublime, from the lyrical text and its message, to the artwork, the cover, the framing of the words on the page, and the endpapers. Little Fox, Lost is lovely, through and through, and deserving of appreciative readings, over and over.”—CanLit for LittleCanadians

“The translation from the original French version Petit renard se perd was well done. If the reader doesn’t know it’s translated, one can’t tell that it is. The flow is good and the text appropriate for the age range. This book is an excellent addition to both a school and home library…”—Library of Clean Reads

“We loved the snowy winter setting and the cute forest animals…the illustrations by Alicia Padron are calming, they have a huge part in talking about a difficult topic without being frightening. Mother fox’s rhyme ‘If you ever are lost my child’ is easy to remember for children every age. This little ear worm can give them confidence if they should ever get lost for real.”—The Reading Castle

“Little Fox, Lost is not only an endearing bedtime storybook; it’s also a good starting point for a parent-child discussion about safety. Highly recommended.”—Midwest Book Review

“In gentle, expressive text, Nicola Snitselaar spins a tale that goes far beyond a simple stranger danger warning.…Alicia Padron renders this resilient Little Fox and his forest companions in soft watercolors, their rounded shapes and endearing features easing any anxiety that little listeners might feel about being lost.”—Crossroad Reviews

“[A] resourceful little fox, gets lost, but remembers his mother’s words about stranger danger and finds a safe place to wait until his mother comes to find him. Cute subtly shaded watercolor pictures of the small fox among the snowy forest trees show other animals watching over the lost kit as he waits.”—Oregon Coast Youth Book Preview Center

Save