Leila and the Blue Fox: Winner of the Wainwright Children’s Prize 2023

Kiran is fast becoming one of my favourite authors. Julia and the Shark left both my son and I longing for more and we have consumed Leila and The Blue Fox with just as much page turning wonder and awe thanks to the beautiful text and stunning illustrations.This beautiful and moving story is based on the true story of Anna the fox who travelled2,743, miles over sea ice and glaciers l during a 76-day polar marathon. from Spitsbergen, the largest island of the Svalbard Archipelago of Norway, to Ellesmere Island in Nunavut, Canada.Climate change is manipulating their behaviour and dwindling sea ice will limit the range of these beautiful creature, risking populations becoming geographically and genetically isolated.Kiran cleverly takes the journey of a fox, Miso in this story and tells it parallel to the healing journey of a mother and daughter as they track the fox.Leila and her Mum fled fighting in Damascus . Upon arriving in the UK, Leila was left in the care of her Aunt and Cousin while her Mum took employment in Norway conducting scientific research.When Leila leaves the UK to see her Mum for the first time in six years, she never imagined they would be tracking a blue fox together, or that the journey would help her discover her Mum’s story and reasoning as they both heal from their own migration.Just like Misso the Blue Fox, Leila and Mum are often propelled by fear and longing. As Miso crosses territories and borders, Leila realises that everyone should have equal rights, irrespective of where they were born or fled from.This book is so compelling and powerful, it raises awareness about the harrowing journeys both people and animals make in order to survive. It also portrays the fragility of our planet and it’s inhabitants in a moving and awe inspiring manor. Leaving the reader able to feel the icy purity of the artic as they breathe deep into the wonderful book.I really hope that there’s a sequel to this book, where Mum and Leila discuss their own journey from Damascus and grow back into their familiar closeness.

Another fabulous book from the mind of Kiran Millwood Hargrave. I loved Julia and the Shark and was, therefore, very excited to learn of Leila and the Blue Fox. It didn't disappoint!Leila's journey helps the reader understand both the climate issues facing our world currently and the plight of refugees displaced around the worldHer writing allows the imagination to see the story, with the settings being described beautifully and the characters written so well they become likeable and real.I preordered the hard copy of this title after reading just the first chapter.

Bought this for my niece. She adores anything fox related! Someone will have to read it to her as she is 6 years old. She is very excited to start it.

A very thoughtful and heart warming story. Leila and ther relationship with her mother is portrayed with both tension and growing understanding. The fox is always a wild animal but we closely follow the journey over the ice. When all the humans are following on the ice it is a bit worrying. There is also the message of a warming climate and the danger of melting sea ice.

My granddaughter loves this books

Great book and beautiful illustrations.

Leila And The Blue Fox is a truly beautiful book, one to treasure. The incredible journey of the Arctic fox is based on a true event, and Kiran Millwood Hargrave cleverly weaves this into a tale of human migration. Tom de Freston's wonderful illustrations perfectly compliment the moving story. Highly recommended.

This is a beautiful book. The story by Kiran Millwood Hargrove and illustrations by Tom de Freston complement each other perfectly and it is appealing to both adults and children (9+).This is a tale of finding your place in a fragile world where war and climate change are destroying some vulnerable parts of the world. It focuses on the journeys we take to survive and hopefully find safety. It also explores the particular challenges a mother sometimes needs to overcome in order to keep their family safe- and how that can disrupt family relationships.I loved all of the characters, animal and human, central or peripheral. It was packed with the best of humanity and I hope this book is used in classrooms across the world to help younger generations understand the need for sharing of safe spaces and resources when things fall apart for others.Simply stunning.

The book arrived quickly in great condition and exactly as ordered.