IF A CHICKEN STAYED FOR SUPPER

Like the six foolish fishermen, five naïve fox cubs find themselves confused and distraught when they miscount and think one of their siblings is lost. Mommy Fox has left the den in search of a chicken supper warning her cubs to stay put. But Rag, the rabble rouser, convinces Tufty, the oldest, then Mufty, Misty and Rusty to venture out into the night for a playful round of jumping, romping, rolling, tumbling and leaping. Their gleeful jaunt comes to a tearful halt when they count each other and continually come up with four, the counting cubs forgetting themselves. What to do? Mother Hen comes to the rescue, counting all five, guiding them home where five little foxes, one grateful Mommy Fox and an obliging Mother Hen share a hot vegetable soup. Little ones will ruefully predict a proper chicken dinner right to the last page and be grateful for the welcome change in menu. Fatus’s mixed-media full-page and smaller depictions of foxy caricatures against a nighttime meadowy backdrop reflect the youngsters’ predicament with amusement and charm. A satisfying rendition of a classic premise. (Picture book. 2-5)