Fox on the Ice

Fox on the Ice follows two Cree boys, Joe and Cody, during a winter ice fishing expedition with their parents in northern Manitoba. When their dog team spots a fox on the frozen lake, an unexpected chase begins. The story is told in both English and Cree languages, accompanied by illustrations depicting life in Canada's north. Through the family's winter activities, the book demonstrates traditional Cree practices and family dynamics. This bilingual children's book explores themes of Indigenous culture, family bonds, and respect for nature. The narrative illustrates how cultural knowledge is passed between generations while highlighting the relationship between humans and the environment in Cree communities.

Readers cite the winter ice-fishing story and depiction of Cree family life as memorable and realistic. Parents and teachers note the book's success in connecting children to Indigenous traditions. The bilingual English/Cree text receives positive mentions for language learning. The watercolor illustrations by Brian Deines earn specific praise for capturing the drama of the ice fishing incident and northern Manitoba landscapes. Multiple reviews highlight how the art complements the storytelling. Some readers found the pacing slow in parts, and a few mentioned the text could be challenging for younger readers to follow independently. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (43 ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (11 ratings) From a teacher on Goodreads: "My students were engaged with both the adventure elements and learning about traditional Cree activities. The dual language format led to great discussions." The book is frequently recommended for classroom use and appears on several Indigenous children's literature reading lists.

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🦊 Tomson Highway wrote this book in both English and Cree (his native language), making it accessible to readers in both languages and helping preserve Indigenous storytelling traditions. 🛷 The story is based on Highway's own childhood experiences growing up in northern Manitoba, where his family lived a traditional nomadic lifestyle following caribou herds. 🌨️ The book is part of a series featuring Joe and Cody, two young Cree brothers, and their adventures in Canada's north - other books in the series include "Caribou Song" and "Dragonfly Kites." 🎵 Highway, besides being an author, is an accomplished classical pianist and has incorporated musical elements into many of his works, including subtle references in "Fox on the Ice." 🖼️ The book's vibrant illustrations by Brian Deines were created using oil paintings, giving the story a dreamlike quality that captures the majestic winter landscape of northern Manitoba.