Little Foxes facts for kids

Little Foxes is an exciting book written by Michael Morpurgo in 1984. It tells the story of a young boy and his special friendship with animals.

What is Little Foxes About?

This book follows the journey of a boy named Billy Bunch. Billy is an orphan, which means he doesn't have parents. He has lived with many different foster families, but none of them have worked out well.

Billy's Life in the Suburbs

Currently, Billy lives with a foster mother in the suburbs of a big city. They are not very happy together. At school, Billy finds many subjects difficult. He especially struggles with English because he stutters when he tries to read aloud.

Discovering the Wilderness

One night, Billy decides to run away. He finds himself in an abandoned area nearby. This place has the ruins of an old monastery and is full of wildlife. People call it "The Waste Ground," but Billy calls it his "Wilderness."

Billy quickly falls in love with the nature and animals in this special place. He feels much more comfortable here than at home. He even rescues an injured swan and helps care for some baby fox cubs.

How Animals Help Billy

The comfort Billy finds with his new animal friends helps him a lot. He starts to overcome his stutter. He stays with his foster family but continues to visit his animal friends in the Wilderness.

However, this peaceful time doesn't last. People in his neighborhood start to see the Wilderness as a dangerous place. They also think the wild animals are a threat.

Billy's Big Adventure

Eventually, Billy runs away again, this time with one of the young foxes. They go on many adventures together and become the best of friends.

During their travels, Billy meets a kind man who lives on a boat. This man takes care of all the birds along the river. He invites Billy to stay with him on his boat, as they are heading in the same direction. This is the first time Billy feels truly accepted for who he is. The man also helps Billy understand some important life lessons. Their journey down the river marks the beginning of Billy and his beloved fox growing into young adulthood.

Images for kids

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  The first edition of Little Foxes, published by Kaye & Ward. It was illustrated by Gareth Floyd.