WHITE FOX IN THE FOREST

Animal friends face their greatest challenge in this adventure translated from Chinese.

Continuing their journey begun in White Fox: Dilah and the Moon Stone (2020), the events of which are briefly recapped at the beginning, orphaned arctic fox Dilah and his furry companions renew their pursuit of the treasured moonstone belonging to Ulla, the patron saint of arctic foxes. Alsace, Dilah’s treacherous brother, stole the moonstone, which has the power to transform animals into humans. Dilah and his weasel and rabbit companions receive unexpected help from red fox Emily—who surprises them by revealing she took the moonstone back from Alsace. Emily joins them in following the moonstone’s light toward their destination along with Tyrone, a fighting panda bear, and old friend Egg the seal. Throughout the straightforward quest narrative, the group interacts with many animals who question whether the treasure is in fact a blessing or a curse. Dilah’s faith in the goal of being transformed into a human remains steadfast, however, and he argues that despite humans’ destructive reputation, by joining their number he can influence them in favor of kindness toward animals and the Earth. The puzzle-solving action in the second half is particularly compelling. The true nature of the moonstone remains a mystery readers will ponder long after the bittersweet end. Whimsical illustrations with an artful use of light and shadow are interspersed throughout.

An action-packed venture with an ending that will linger in readers’ minds.