When Little Fox gets lost, he knows exactly what to do.

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 watercolors, their rounded shapes and endearing features easing any anxiety that little listeners might feel about being lost.

"...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

A mother of 5, Nicole Snitselaar spent the last 20 years writing and singing songs and nursery rhymes—both for her own children and on recorded albums. Seven years ago she branched out to writing books for children and has since published more than 39 in both French and English.

 

Nicole Snitselaar's profile page

Alicia Padrón is a full-time children's illustrator who loves creating adorable characters in watercolor and digital art. Her books include ABC, Baby Me!, I Love You All Year Round, and The Wish Trees. Alicia lives in Venezuela with her husband, their two children, and two dogs.

 

Alicia Padrón's profile page

Erin Woods has been translating children's books since 2015, and has loved them all her life. She would like to thank her parents for forcing her into French Immersion, even though at five years old she was sure it was the end of the world—or at least her social life. Erin lives in Toronto, Ontario.

 

Erin Woods' profile page

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

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

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

"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'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

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

...[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

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

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

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