Fox at Night by Corey R. Tabor

This week we're thrilled to have another post from Jackie Partch, assessing a new entry by 2019 Geisel winning creator Corey Tabor. Jackie Partch is a School Corps Librarian at Multnomah County Library, where she does outreach to K-12 students. She was a member of the 2012 Geisel committee.

The main character of the 2019 Geisel winner, Fox the Tiger, returns in this title. The story begins with Fox in a tent at nighttime, looking frightened. The simple text accompanying the illustration reads, “It is night, and Fox is scared.” Readers are immediately drawn in--why is Fox afraid? The next page lets us know: “The night is full of monsters,” says Fox. Already, this book has met one of the Geisel criteria: subject matter intriguing enough to motivate a child reader. 

 As Fox peers through his binoculars, he spies stars and planets as well as something suspicious: two big wings and two pointy ears! Is it a monster? The illustrations on this spread serve as keys or clues to the text (another Geisel criteria). Each time a new word is introduced, it appears in a separate illustration to help new readers figure it out. In addition, words are frequently repeated: Fox regularly comments that “the night is full of monsters,” and the non-monstrous animals he meets respond in a patterned format: “I am not a monster. I am a ___.” Sentences are simple and straightforward with an average of 5-8 words each.

Another Geisel criteria is that the plot should advance and create a “page-turning dynamic.” Fox’s humorous misidentification of animals definitely keeps readers engaged (they’ll enjoy being able to identify some “monsters” before Fox does). And they may be wondering: Is Fox always wrong? Or are there monsters out at night? The book design of Fox at Night is also spot-on for a beginning reader. The large type size has plenty of spacing between lines, and the line length is usually quite short. The text always appears on an uncluttered background, even when the illustration covers the whole page. So, is this book distinguished enough to win the Geisel? Is it a “stimulating and successful reading experience”? I think so! Please share your thoughts in the comments.