REVIEW: The Fox with Cold Feet

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by IceAgeChippies

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Boy, it's been a while since I've taken an analytical look at some beloved bit of media, something familiar that warms our hearts with nostalgia...

...I'm sure I'll get back to doing that some day. For now, we're going to have a look at Bill Singer's 'The Fox with Cold Feet'. ^^

TFwCF is a book, not an animation. The story was written by Bill Singer and illustrated by Dennis Kendrick. My copy was copywritten in 1980, and published by Parents Magazine.

...and it's supposedly valuable (from Amazon, 11/29/2018):

"The Fox With Cold Feet Hardcover – October 1, 1980
by Bill Singer (Author), Dennis Kendrick (Author, Illustrator)

Price + Shipping: $500.00+ $3.99 shipping"

...Tempting, but the shipping's too high---ever heard of Media Mail!? *fumes*

Luckily, my copy came from a yard sale. Unluckily, it has no real value: I tried flipping mine on eBay for a few dollars (inc. S&H) with no success.

Maybe this had something to do with that,

"47 Used from $0.85; 5 Collectible from $4.95"

...Research is good! ...even if the results are at times depressing! XD

Ah, but Marten knows how to turn a lemon into lemonade: if my Foxy won't sell, he'll become a One-Cent ACEO subject (that might earn me a watcher or a page view ...maybe) ^^;

So, is 'The Fox with Cold Feet' about a fox who stands his bride-to-be up at the alter? ...Unfortunately, no: the story is safe and cute for children ...which means it's imploring for a grown man on the internet to review it. ^^
In short, the book is about a fox who wants some boots to save his paws from the snow.

Hm... Let's get started!. ^^

Again, this is a book, not an animation, so there's no cartoon for me to link the reader to. However, there is a darling little homespun production of the story here (link tested 11/29/2018): www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4qHRf…

A micro-budget work to be sure, but... I sincerely hope my watchers will give the video a like (or at least leave a comment on it). I think the puppets are charming, and I want (ever so) to encourage those working behind them. :3

Anyway...

The first thing I notice about the book is its art. ...I'm sure I've seen Kendrick's work before---the man has been illustrating childrens' books for many years, but I cannot name any of their titles.

TFwCF is done in what appears to be a combination of ink and watercolor.
The stylization of the characters is akin to that which one might see in a single-panel cartoon in a magazine: squiggly; unrefined; suitable for caricatures.

Opening the book...

NARRATIVE: "One crisp morning, young Fox leaped out of his den. A thick blanket of snow covered the ground."

FOX: "Oooo! Oooo! My feet are cold."

Fox has, seemingly, not experienced snow hitherto ...that or he's just a lily. The narrative says Fox is 'young', so perhaps this is his first winter on his lonesome---no more Mom to bring him food while he lazes about at home. Welcome to the real world, Master Fox!

Poor Fox is without solution. Fortunately, Fox's friend Sparrow suggests Fox find some boots.
Of course, Fox doesn't know how or where to find boots.

The all-knowing Sparrow instructs Fox to follow her.

Sparrow leads Fox to a tree, instructing him to dig 'round its roots. Believing some boots are buried there under the tree, Fox tears into the hard, frozen ground. Alas, Fox unearths nothing but seeds (no acorns or nuts, just 'seeds').
Sparrow is quick to claim the seeds, but Fox is dismayed: he was hoping for boots,

FOX: "What about my boot?"

...or a single boot, I guess.

SPARROW: "Yes, Yes"

NARRATIVE: "(Sparrow) tugged at an empty nest, and it fell to the ground."

SPARROW: "Old nest---new boot."

Fox is expected to wear the nest as a boot. True to the axiom that beggars can't be choosers, Fox dons the 'boot' without argument.
The nest is far from comfortable, but it does the job ...at least for one foot. Fox ventures forth to find three more boots.

...And that's the gist. Along the way, Fox meets other animals who get him to do work for them in exchange for junk Fox can wear.
Among said animals is a raccoon, whom I swear looks like a cat: sta.sh/031qv6w9o88

...Then again, what do I know about cats---some watchers still think my Gene is a dog! XD :P

WATCHER (RE: 'Early Gene Sketches', IB): " Awwww, little nakie pup."

Maybe Gene is a puppy Purr-tender or something, and I'm the only one who can't see though his Clark Kent disguise ...but can we at least respect that Gene chooses to identify as a cat? *shot*

WATCHER: "My bad. I see the whiskers now."

Thx! :3

Anyway...

Shod in his new 'boots', Fox has difficulty getting about. Sure, Fox's feet are at last warm, but he soon becomes exasperated with all the slipping, sliding and falling over.
One by one, the 'boots' come off---Fox recovering both his dexterity and dignity with each removal.

...But the snow is as cold as ever ...isn't it?

FOX: "Oh! My feet aren't cold anymore. I guess I don't need boots after all."

Well, then...

My guess is Fox never needed boots to begin with. Rather, he was merely disenchanted with his new adult life---seeking thence to fill its voids with material which, in the end, proved useless.
Additionally, the pursuit of these things came also without satisfaction. Natheless, the experience taught Fox the lesson that there are many who will exploit the foolishness or desperation of others to suit their own wants.
For all his shortcomings, Fox was perceptive enough to realize this, without the assistance of medication or intervention.

...or Foxy's just a silly boy! ^^

Overall, the story is harmless, but its lessons about racketeering and choosing between evils, are unusual for the book's demographic.

Either way, it's cute (and that's what matters! :3

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