A FOX FOUND A BOX by Ged Adamson – a story about music and nature

Don’t be fooled by the rhyming title—this isn’t a rhyming story, but instead a celebration of music and nature. For me, it also had a deeper message about the benefits of turning off noisy media and taking time to listen and appreciate the world outside.

Summary from the publisher:

A little fox is digging for food when–OUCH! What is that?–the fox finds a box! When the fox brings the box home to his animal friends–and turns a funny-looking knob–the box starts to sing, and music fills the forest. Everyone agrees that it feels nice. Day and night, they listen to the box’s songs, until, one day, it goes quiet. No matter what they try, they just can’t get the box to sing again. The animals stop swishing their tails and flapping their wings…. But, in the silence, the fox hears the drip-drop rhythm of melting icicles and the thump thump of a beaver’s tail and comes to realize music is everywhere. The noises of the forest and the animals build into a symphony, until, eventually, everyone joins together in a joyous dance party.

A Fox Found a Box was written and illustrated by Ged Adamson. It was published in 2019 by Schwartz & Wade Books.

Opening:    

Fox was searching.

Somewhere, under the snow, there was food.

And to find it, he had to dive in.

My Thoughts as a Writer:

This is truly a story where every word counts. This would be a great text to study to see how the author uses onomatopoeia in a quiet story.

I really enjoyed the gentle, playful illustrations. It was interesting to think about how a few lines could create such expression in the animals’ faces.

My Thoughts as an Educator:

This is a lovely story for introducing music activities as well as for discussing sounds and things we hear. It also would be interesting to talk about the “box” and think about why it doesn’t work. This story shows problem-solving, persistence and appreciation for nature. A great book for the classroom – it could be used in many different ways, even as a model for drawing and creating animals through art.

Ages: 3-7

Grades: PreK – 2

Themes: music, nature, appreciating the world

Activities:

Interactive Reading: Have children try to create some of the sounds as you read the story. What items would create a “swish-swish” or a “drip-drop beat”?

Explore & Listen: Go on a walk outside. What sounds do you hear in your neighborhood? Which are quiet? Which are louder?

Listen & Paint: Provide paints and play music while children are painting. Do different kinds of music lead to different colour choices?

Movement & Music: Play different kinds of music and have children make up their own movements. After each selection, give children a chance to share their feelings. How did the music make you feel?   

STEAM Challenge: Can you build something that makes noise? Decorate your construction! Find a friend and use your noise-makers to make your own music together.