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What Does the Fox Say?
Common Sense says
- Ylvis
- Picture Book
- 2013
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that What Does the Fox Say? is a graphically stylish picture book that illustrates the lyrics of "The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)" by Norwegian comedy/pop duo Ylivs, which was the top video on YouTube for 2013. Even without the music, kids will have fun making the imagined sounds the fox might make and looking at all the funny animals on the busy pages. The music video is amusing in part because of the contrast between the singers' mock seriousness and the outright silliness of the lyrics. Here the words just seem like totally kid-appropriate text, perfect for reading aloud.
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What's the story?
WHAT DOES THE FOX SAY? is a picture book version of the lyrics to the catchy pop song and music video by Norwegian pop duo Ylvis. YouTube named \"The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)\" its Top Video of 2013, as it received more than 200 million global views. The basic question the song poses is, in fact, intriguing. As all little kids know, cats say \"meow\" and cows say \"moo,\" but what does the fox say?
Is it any good?
Without the catchy melody and pulsing beat of the Ylvis song, you might think the words would fall flat on the page, but the wacky, stylized art keeps things lively and engaging. Antic scenes of different animals busy at play and mischief give kids lots to look at, point out, and talk about. The distinctive palette of burnt orange, gray, cream, and tan makes the book stand out as well.
Kids also will enjoy, with or without the music, trying out the suggested possibilities of what the fox says, such as, "Jacha-chacha-chacha-chow!" and "Wa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pa-pow!" It should make for a rousing read-aloud.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about the sounds animals make. What other sounds can you think of besides the ones mentioned in the book (and the song)?
If you've heard the song or watched the video, how does the book compare? Which do you like better?
What sound do you think the fox makes?
Book details
- Author: Ylvis
- Illustrator: Svein Nyhus
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Horses and Farm Animals, Music and Sing-Along, Wild Animals
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Publication date: December 10, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.