Fox schemes his way to winning first place in a jumping contest by building a jetpack, painted red-orange like his fur so no one will notice. Humor abounds as each animal contestant performs; Fox goes all the way to space and back. Digitally composed watercolor, ink, and pencil vignettes depict the animals' escapades, complementing the text and building tension until the story's funny conclusion. (c) Copyright 2017. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

PreS-Gr 1-Fox is single-minded in his determination to win first prize in the upcoming jumping contest. While the other animals practice and drill, Fox is busy coming up with ways to give himself an unfair advantage. He tricks the judges with a homemade jet pack, painted to match his fur, that he straps to his back. The other contestants-Frog, Turtle, Elephant, Bear, and Rabbit-have their turns and demonstrate how to be a good sport and express their talents naturally. Fox jumps so high that he actually goes into orbit. Pair this hilarious picture book, featuring mixed-media illustrations, with other trickster tales, such as "The Fox and the Grapes." Both teach important lessons in captivating ways. VERDICT A new storytime favorite, this is a winner hands down.-Tanya Boudreau, Cold Lake Public Library, Alta., Canada © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A trickster jumps on a sneaky scheme to best all others in a contest.Fox isnt much of a jumperamusingly illustrated in the frontmatterbut this doesnt stop him from aiming to win first prize in competition. Instead of practicing rigorously, he dons a self-built jetpack to give him an extra boost. Other contestants gamely try, some faring better than others, and naturally, Rabbit effortlessly jumps highest. Thanks to his device, Fox leaps to extraordinary heights and is soon way out of bounds and out of sight, soaring into space. Unable to wait for Foxs return, the judges begin the awards ceremony. As Rabbit ascends to first place, who should fall into the trophy cup? Why, Fox, who, astute readers will have noted, has been hurtling back toward Earth all the while and lands just in time to winor does he? The text is drily witty, and the comical illustrations, rendered in pencils, watercolors, and ink and assembled digitally, are energetic and appealing, Children will enjoy seeing Rabbit and Fox tussle over the trophy and should appreciate the storys funny outcome, representing a compromise of sorts. Animal competitors represent various species, and, in a nice touch, all (except Fox and Rabbit) demonstrate good self-esteem, fair play, and sportsmanship. Kids may want to have jumping contests of their own after reading thisjust omit jetpacks. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Rather than train for the upcoming jumping contest, Fox decides to build a jet pack that blends in with his fur, because when you're a fox, every contest is a scheming contest. The day of the competition, Fox joins the other animals hoping to win the jumping trophy. Frog leaps first, impressing the judges with his style. Next comes Turtle, whose minuscule hop exceeds everyone's expectations. Jumping isn't really Elephant's thing, so she strikes a dashing pose instead. Bear jumps with a ferocious roar, and Rabbit's long ears help propel him far afield. Finally, Fox takes his place at the starting line and blasts into the sky, literally smoking the competition. Unfortunately, his jet pack scheme backfires slightly, giving him too much height. Tabor's picture-book debut doesn't carry a lesson as such, but it does have plenty of laughs and utterly sweet illustrations. His gentle colored-pencil-and-watercolor artwork is digitally enhanced, and the animals' faces are wonderfully expressive. While Fox's friends aren't pleased to learn about his scheme, things (mostly) work out in the end.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2016 Booklist

Illustrator Tabor (A Dark, Dark Cave) makes his debut as an author with an energetic story about a jumping contest among a group of animals, a contest that Fox is determined to win. "While the other animals practiced, Fox schemed," Tabor explains, and "When you're a fox, every contest is a scheming contest." Tabor's mixed-media cartoons create friendly and funny animal characters whose personalities come through loud and clear. "Bear jumped loudest," waving his arms in giddy delight and scattering the judges' scorecards. And although Elephant can't get off the ground, "she didn't mind. She was good at other things." When Fox's turn arrives, he leaves the competition in the dust-quite literally-as the camouflaged jet pack he's wearing sends him rocketing into orbit. The pages are full of small details, both visual and verbal, that flesh out the animals' world and will keep readers chuckling (during the award ceremony, Fox can be spotted careening ever closer to the podium). And the witty resolution suggests that cheaters can still do pretty well for themselves now and again. Ages 4-8. Agent: Rebecca Sherman, Writers House. (Oct.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.