Vulpes, the Red Fox

by Jean Craighead George, John George, John George And Jean George

Book Overview

Follows the life of a red fox from his birth in a Maryland den through his growth to maturity to his eventual encounter with a determined hunter This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140376232
• ISBN13: 9780140376234
• Release Date: March 1996
• Publisher: Puffin Books
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

The Cool Red Fox

This book is about a fox that grew up on with a big family. But as time passed the family grew farther and farther apart. Some of them even died. One of the babies got stolen bye the owl. The mother tried her hardest to save him but the owl got to him first. Just imagine if you let some one just take you little brother and never see him again. Well the red fox took it well. He just wanted revenge for his little brother. The fox's name was Vulpes and he was very handsome and charming to the lady fox's. All of the forest animals were scared of Vulpes because he used to chase them around, trying to have some fun. I think he is a fox who goes around and tries to have some fun. But when he meets some other fox that is just like him, he will try to play with him but the other fox will just go away and ignore the red fox. He is also very brave because he would pick on the farmers dogs and out run them. When Vulpes got old he looked around and seen that all the male fox's had mates. But Vulpes didn't so he went out trying to find a mate. He left his home and started to travel around. He found one who was playful and fast, but she didn't want to leave her home. So she was no good. He found another one who he swore was his mate, but she had already been taken. He was not alone for long. Read this book to find out the rest. This is a exciting book. This books mood is exciting and cool.

Vulpes

Like another reader here, I read "Vulpes" as a 10-year-old boy in '62 and loved to race around on my bike pretending to be him being chased everywhere. I grew up in the DC area and I know the general area where the story takes place. I bought this book filled with curiosity and nostalgia for a great kid's read, so 5 stars. Vulpes is the scientific name in Latin for the fox. We meet him at birth and follow him through his life as a young fox (although a rather glorified one, if you ask me). Vulpes is fast, clever, strong and handsome - perfect for hero-worshipping 10-year-olds! The human side is told through the efforts of several hunters and trappers who want to "bag" Vulpes for his pelt. Like "Never Cry Wolf", there are no good guys or bad guys here - only the struggle to survive for human and animal, even while you're rooting for Vulpes. Jean George puts you inside Vulpes' head as he makes decisions, and she articulates his feelings giving Vulpes a more human connection. Vulpes eventually finds his mate, Fulva, sires quite big brood of cubs (Vulpes, you big stud-muffin!) and ultimately meets his destiny and fate. You'll never think of foxes the same way again.

Great Novel

If you love foxes, this is the book for you. This excellent novel is about a young fox who grows up in the wild. The details are great and the story is well written. As a fox lover my self, I couldn't put this book down. This novel is great for young teenagers who want to know more about what it is like for a red fox to grow up in the wild. The great detail makes you think you are there in the story with the fox. I would read it over and over!

This is a great book - very interesting.

I was very interested in what happens to Vulpes the fox. This book is fun to read - not too hard and not too easy. Vulpes is a really cool fox. He's cute.

A beautiful book for young readers

This is a warm and sensitive book that lingers in the reader's mind for years. I read it as a little girl, and now I am reading it to my own children. Jean Craighead does a marvelous job describing the Maryland countryside before it was swallowed by suburban sprawl. No sentimental, not "preachy", this little book shows respect for all living things. I highly recommend it!