After his family trades the city for the woods, a boy finds that the nights are dark, the mornings noisy, and the forest unfamiliar, but as a fox carefully watches the proceedings from afar, the boy comes to appreciate the magic of his new world. After the boy spots smoke in the distance, the skies glow red with an approaching wildfire. Animals flee along with worried humans, and when the boy and his mother finally return to the forest, their house is gone. But they are safe e forest will rebound, the house will be rebuilt, and the fox is spotted on a quilt in a nearby tree trunk. Popovici, a former forest firefighter, includes a note explaining that wildfires, though alarming, are important in maintaining natural ecosystems, though he doesn't shy away from the fact that careless human activity coupled with a changing climate can spell trouble. The gouache, watercolor, and colored-pencil illustrations are warm and wonderful, capturing moments of both coziness and concern, making a sweet introduction to a topical and potentially scary subject.

The book's young narrator, sporting a red beanie, has just moved to the country with his mother and is not thrilled about it. "Nights are too quiet," he complains. "Mornings are too loud." Soon, however, he becomes comfortable in the woods, and notices a red fox that lives nearby. When a forest fire erupts, the boy and his mother evacuate; on a dramatic wordless spread, the fox, along with the other animal denizens of the forest, makes its own escape. Time passes before any of them can return. The child's description of his post-fire home accompanies an illustration of blackened tree trunks with small shoots of green emerging from the forest floor: "While things don't look like they did before, the forest knows what to do after a fire." The final page-turn reveals the mother planting a sapling while the child carries wood to frame their new house, noting "and so do we." Despite the serious and timely topic (with wildfires becoming increasingly common and more severe in the American West due to climate change), Popovici's lean text and gentle cartoon-style paintings keep the tone suitable for young readers. The child, fox, and fire are visually connected by the color red (also used very effectively on the textured endpapers) so the fire becomes part of the forest rather than a terrifying interloper. Adults may question why the family rebuilds on the same site, using traditional wood construction, but the child audience will understand that families, both human and fox, can thrive after tragedy. An appended author's note and "More About Wildfires" page provide more detail. Maeve Visser Knoth

A family is displaced by a forest fire.A young child moves far from the city to a house in the woods. It takes time for the child to acclimate to such a home, and when mom leads a hiking trip, the child declares: "I don't like this place!" A bright orange fox is seen nearby, watching everything unfold. In leisurely paced, brightly lit, earth-toned spreads, readers see the child learning to love the new home and witness the adventures that can be had in the forest. Fox and child become accustomed to each other. A forest fire changes everything: Fiery reds and darker shadows take over, and the family must pack what they can and flee. The subsequent wordless spread depicts animals fleeing as well, the fox in the lead. When the child and mother return, much later, their home is gone, and they begin to rebuild. The fox is seen in its den, snuggled in a blanket evidently salvaged from the wreckage. While there may be no mercy for the family's home, the child narrator emphasizes that "our house is gone, but we are safe." A closing note reveals the author was once a firefighter and explains that "naturally occurring" forest fires can benefit a forest-yet also emphasizes the danger of human-caused ones and the need to protect our environment. All characters are White with the exception of one Black firefighter, presenting as female. (This book was reviewed digitally.)A sensitively told story of an all-too-common occurrence. (Picture book. 5-10)

PreS-Gr 2 This thoughtful picture book tackles the challenges humans and animals face when a natural disaster destroys their home. The story opens when a boy moves with his mother from the city to the forest. He's not pleased with the change at first, but comes to embrace their new home as he explores the beauty of his natural surroundings and forms a bond with a wild fox. Rich illustrations, often splashed across two-page spreads, immerse readers in the wonders of nature. Delightful details, such as the child's red beanie matching the fox's fur, invite a closer look. Conflict arises when a forest fire encroaches on the boy's newfound joy. Scenes of the family fleeing are mirrored by the forest animals' escape from danger. The frightening concept of a devastating fire is approached with sensitivity; children will be reassured that although the family loses their home, they are safe, and the boy's fox friend has survived too. The comforting themes of renewal and rebuilding are expanded upon in the author's note, which shares information about how fires are a natural part of a forest's growth cycle. This book will undoubtedly spark conversations about facing adversity, ecological awareness, and disaster preparedness. VERDICT A timely topic is approached effectively for a young audience. A recommended purchase, especially as natural disasters become an increasingly frequent occurrence.Allison Tran, Mission Viejo Lib., CA