Pax

By Sara Pennypacker, Jon Klassen (illustrator),

Book cover of Pax

Book description

The moving story of the extraordinary friendship between a boy and his fox and their epic journey to be reunited. Beautifully illustrated by multi-award winner, Jon Klassen. Now available in Paperback!

Pax was only a kit when his family was killed and he was rescued by 'his boy', Peter. Now…

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Why read it?

4 authors picked Pax as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

I loved this one because I’m a sucker for a beautiful animal friendship story and pretty writing. Pax has both and then some. Plus, it’s told from alternating points of views between that of Peter, an adolescent boy coming of age during war time, and his beloved fox, Pax, who Peter rescued as a kit.

Like the other books on this list, Pax is packed with emotion and will probably require a tissue or two. But it’s well worth the read because of that, and because of the roller coaster of other emotions, readers will feel as well.

Another fox book! Such a wonderful story of love between a boy and a wild creature. Pax’s relationship with the rest of the foxes is so brilliantly told – he longs to belong with them, but he’s still so closely woven with Peter, his boy. The strange, jarring background of war adds so much tension to this story too – no one can be safe. Utterly gripping.

Peter’s dad has to go off to war, so he sends Peter to live with his grandpa. But first, he makes him return his pet fox to the forest. I love dual-perspective stories. Pax alternates between the boy and his fox as both struggle to adapt to life without the other—and to find each other again in an unsafe world. I also love stories about unlikely friendships. Halfway through, Peter meets Vola, a former soldier who carries the burden of war in her heart. Vola is tough, hard, broken, and wise. She helps Peter heal physically, and he helps her…

From Steven's list on unexpected friends.

Funny Folk Tales for Children

By Allison Galbraith,

Book cover of Funny Folk Tales for Children

Allison Galbraith Author Of Funny Folk Tales for Children

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I'm a storyteller and folktale collector. All my jobs have involved telling stories – as a community librarian, in theatre, in education, and since 2006 as a professional storyteller and writer. I work in schools, festivals, and outdoor education with all sorts of people and their animals. I have honed my skills to find the most enjoyable traditional tales that can be shared widely. I live in Scotland, where I encourage families to read and tell their favourite stories together. Storytelling is a living art form that belongs to everyone. More than anything, I love the natural world, and I bring the magnificence of nature into all my work.

Allison's book list on world folktales for reading to everyone over six

What is my book about?

These are the funniest folktales in the world. You will be amazed at the intelligent animals and LOL at the ridiculous scrapes the humans get themselves into in these short stories. Discover why dogs are our best friends, learn how to change a cow into a zombie, and meet a shape-shifting, cartwheeling raccoon dog.

Suitable for reading age 7+. This book is perfect for storytime & reading together at bedtime and holidays. These stories will cheer even the grumpiest grandparent up :).

Funny Folk Tales for Children

By Allison Galbraith,

What is this book about?

'It's the best present you can give. It never breaks and doesn't need batteries. What is it?'

The answer is inside THIS BOOK!

Eleven of the funniest traditional tales from around the world. Laugh your socks off as you discover why dogs are our best friends, learn how to flummox fairies, and meet a shape-shifting, cartwheeling badger.


Pax is a story that abounds with loyalty between the various human and animal characters in the book. The instance of loyalty that most impacted me was that of Peter, the boy, toward Pax, the fox, at the very end of the book. After releasing Pax into the wild at his father’s insistence, Peter recognizes his mistake and goes on a perilous adventure to reunite with the fox. Despite a broken foot and treks through treacherous terrain, Peter makes the hardest decision of all at the end. Understanding that, despite his personal longing for the bond he so dearly misses,…

From Will's list on animal loyalty.

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