Children’s Book Review: Mr. Fox’s Game of “NO!” by David LaRochelle

MR. FOX’S GAME OF “NO!”
By: David LaRochelle
Illustrated by: Mike Wohnoutka
Published: September 10, 2024
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Fiction

One of my favorite children’s books from 2024 was GO AND GET WITH REX. David LaRochelle has the unique ability to make a picture book into a fun game. If your child is reluctant to sit down for a story, try reading a David LaRochelle book with them. I’m quite sure your child will want you to keep reading.

In MR. FOX’S GAME OF “NO!”, Mr. Fox challenges the reader to a test of wits. He hopes to outsmart you with his tactics to keep you from reading the book. This book reminds me of one of my favorite childhood books, THE MONSTER AT THE END OF THIS BOOK. Mr. Fox hopes that the reader will respond with “No” because if you respond with “Yes,” you will have to go back to the beginning of the book.

However, Mr. Fox doesn’t make it easy for you to respond with a “No” because, naturally, the questions will make you want to say, “Yes!”. Would you like a taste of a giant strawberry sundae? If you say “Yes”, you have to go back to the beginning of the book. If you say “No”, you can turn the page. Do you want to join Mr. Fox at a beach party in Hawaii? You’ll want to say “Yes”, but that means going back to the beginning of the book. So, you’re forced to say “No”.

Kids will find this book silly and laugh along with Mr. Fox’s antics on the pages. Kids will figure out pretty quickly that they will have to say “No” to things they like and find themselves in traps like not minding a slobbery tongue lick from a stinky water buffalo.

If you make it to the end of the book, Mr. Fox rewards the reader, but remember that sly Mr. Fox still has one last trick up his sleeve. This book turns the silly meter way up, and I’m sure it will become a favorite read-aloud. Fun illustrations combined with silly behavior that elicits interactions with kids make for the perfect children’s book.

Does David LaRochelle ever get tired of making books for young people? No! He can’t think of a better profession in the world! He is the author of Isle of You, illustrated by Jaime Kim, as well as How to Apologize, Go and Get with Rex, and the See the Cat series, all illustrated by his good friend Mike Wohnoutka. Does he live in a houseboat on the Mississippi River? No! A tree house in Australia? No! A tiny space station on Jupiter? No! He lives in a condominium in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. Check out his website, HERE.

Is Mike Wohnoutka an All-Pro linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys? No! He’s an award-winning author and illustrator from Minneapolis. He has illustrated more than thirty books for young readers, including How to Apologize, Go and Get with Rex, and the Geisel Award–winning See the Cat and its sequels, all written by his good friend David LaRochelle. He is also the author and illustrator of Ups and Downs: A Book of Emotions and other picture books. Does he enjoy golfing in the snow? No! Swimming with alligators? No! Wrestling tigers? No! But he does love playing tennis with his family. Check out his website, HERE.

To purchase a copy of MR. FOX’S GAME OF “NO!”, click HERE.

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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.