This book took me awhile to get to due to work and school, but when I finally got around to it, it was worth it! The book is about a little fox named Argyle who really wants to play in the wind, but the wind destroys almost everything he tries to do until he eventually learns that there is one thing he can play in with the wind, and has a great time making it for all of his friends. The art style is absolutely adorable, and the story is very cute and teaches kids to think of a solution to a problem all on their own.

The age-old 'Try, try, and try again, and you will succeed' moral is told in this story using charming illustrations full of color, and a really chweet fox! After trying out a multitude of things (that feel too many for him) to play outside on a windy day, Argyle Fox has decided he does not want to play outside anyways. But his mom's quiet suggestion to think a little harder prompted him to, well, think; and he came up with the perfect solution to enjoy the windy day outside, and have his friends enjoy with what he played with too!! The pictures play their part in the telling of the story too as the wind plays havoc with each of Argyle's creative ideas to play outside, until his final 'eureka' moment.
This is a great read-aloud book where you could possibly enact the scenes either indoors or outdoors to make it a great fun read for young readers.


Reread factor: 3.5/5 (Might get a little repetitive and hence the lower reread factor!)
Reading level: Ages 4-7
Rating: B+

Additional note about the author: Marie also illustrated a few other books that I have truly enjoyed. They include Is a Worry Worrying You?, The Tiptoe Guide to Tracking Mermaids, and was the author and illustrator for The Mice of Bistrot des Sept Frères.

An excellent story with a cute lead character and a fun and predicable plot.

Argyle Fox

by Marie Letourneau

Argyle Fox is a cute children’s book about a little fox who wants to go outside to play on a windy day. He has fun, creative ideas for things to play, but other animals warn him that each activity can’t be done in the wind. Argyle Fox takes on various roles, such as spider and pirate, in his efforts at make believe, and the dialogue reflects these characters.

This story would make a good early childhood read aloud with lots of discussion opportunities. Argyle Fox has a simple, predictable story line that is reassuring to children, It encourages vocabulary development and creativity. The illustrations are fun and appropriate to the story. This picture book could be enjoyed in the classroom or at home.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Tanglewood Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

Category: Children’s Fiction

Notes: recommended for ages 3-7

Publication: March 14, 2017—Tanglewood Publishing

Suggested Discussion Questions (Things to talk about while reading this book):
1. What fun things did Argyle Fox want to play? Have you ever pretended or played those things?
2. What animal friends gave Argyle Fox advice about the wind? Can you find them in the book?
3. What do these words mean: burrow, castle duel, pirate, plank?
4. Can you act out the story with me?
5. What other things can you play in the wind?
6. What nice thing did Argyle Fox do for his friends?
7. What is argyle? (Search the Internet for “argyle pattern” to share some great examples and for younger children contrast argyle with dots, stripes, plaid, etc.)

4.5 stars.

This is flipping adorable. The illustrations are amazing, and the lesson is one that encourages problem-solving and creativity. Really, you can't go wrong with an adorable fox kit in an argyle sweater.

(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)

RATING: 4.5 STARS

I loved both the story and the illustrations. Argyle is looking for something to do in the outdoors but it is very windy out. His mother and others warn him that each of his activities will be foiled with the wind...and sadly, it does. Argyle doesn't give up and finds the perfect activity for a windy day. I highly recommend this book!!

Delightful illustrations and a lesson for all, gently told.

Adorable picture book about a fox with BIG personality that teaches to think creatively when you come up across an obstacle. Argyle Fox is charming. The artwork is darling. An all around win.

This story charms the reader with beautiful illustrations that lend themselves to a quirky young fox named Argyle. He ventures forth, determined to enjoy his play time in spite of multiple warnings about the wind. Of course, the wind wreaks havoc with all of his plans, but after some time spent in contemplation, Argyle finds a solution that incorporates all his previous ventures in a new way that includes his friends. What a great story to share with young children to model perseverance, creativity, and sharing.

Recommended for classroom libraries! (5 stars)

Problem solving skills are one of the most important things being taught in today's elementary schools. It builds independence and confidence and fosters a growth mindset. Which is why I loved Argyle Fox immensely. It isn't always easy to find a book where a child character with a problem is given such minimal aid from a guardian and allowed to find a solution on their own.

With charming illustrations and an adorable hero, Argyle Fox, would make both a fantastic bedtime read or addition to a classroom library. While the message of being resourceful and inventive isn't likely to be noticed by children it's sure to inspire similar creative responses. But if not, it's a fun story with cute animals youngsters will enjoy.

I loved this book, it was excellent, flowed very well and lots of opportunities for children to get involved in the story. Its a positive book aimed to encourage children about what they can do if they put their minds to it. Lovely illustrations too!

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tanglewood Publishing for the opportunity to read and review Argyle Fox by Marie Letourneau. The Argyle Fox picture book is a beautifully illustrated story of a wind ruining a young fox's imaginative play. After the warnings from the friendly animals and the frustration of his play being ruined, clever Argyle comes up with something wonderful that he can play with in the wind. I like the details in the artwork showing Argyle's creativity and his comfortable home. 4 stars for a story that shows how well improvisation works!

Little Argyle Fox (dressed in argyle of course!) wants to play outside. But each time he tries a new game, he is thwarted by the wind. Frustrated, he gives up and goes inside to pout. Mama Fox encourages him to think about the situation and he ultimately comes up with a plan that works despite of the wind, and that includes his friends as well.
Argyle Fox is a sweet story that is sure to be a hit with young audiences. It is a great fit for story time and the pictures are adorable!

The illustrations are precious, and so is the story. I'd be happy to use this book for a storytime soon-I know the kids would love it!

Argyle Fox by Marie Letourneau is a beautiful illustrated and entertaining book for a young child or a beginner reader. It is the story of a young red fox that wants to play outside even though it is very windy. All his plans for a fun day outside are ruined by the wind until his mother tells him to think about what he could play with in the wind. There is a very subtle theme of disappointment and frustration and how to cope with it well.

The beautiful artwork within the book contains many different animal and items that might spur further discussions with a child, or maybe a game of I Spy.

This book would make an excellent gift for bedtime reading or quite time.

I received a ACR of this book from NetGalley and Tanglewood with no obligation to review it. This is my honest review after reading

Such a cute book for a child starting to learn about how the weather affects our lives. Argyle just wants to play but the wind is making it tough. See what he does to figure it out and how much fun he ends up having. LOVE it!

It was time that I read more children’s books from NetGalley and I happened to pick up another children’s book from NetGalley called “Argyle Fox” by Marie Letourneau and I actually found this book to be quite cute!

The story starts off with a young fox named Argyle Fox who wanted to go outside and play, but his mother warns him that it is very windy outside and that he might not be able to play the games that he wanted to play. But, Argyle Fox went outside to play with his cards anyway and while Argyle was playing with his cards, the wind blows his cards away and Argyle had to go back home to find something else to play with. Argyle then finds an old spider costume and decided to play as a spider in the trees outside. But the squirrels warned Argyle that it is too windy outside to play as a spider. But Argyle ignored the squirrels’ warnings and continued playing outside, but then the wind comes up and blows at Argyle, which causes him to get tangled in his homemade webs. Argyle then goes back home and tried to find another game to play outside and every time Argyle tries to find a new game to play on this windy day, the wind just keeps on messing up his games. Just as Argyle was going to give up playing games outside, his mother quietly encourages to think of another game to play on a windy day.

What game can Argyle play on a windy day?

Read this book to find out!

I have been reading many children’s books that deal with the main characters (usually children) trying to find a fun game to play whether they are inside or outside and it has been awhile since I had read such as book as this. Marie Letourneau has done a great job at telling a story about a young fox’s determination to play outside, despite it being a windy day and I enjoyed seeing the various games that Argyle tries out on the windy day such as playing as a spider and playing as a pirate. I also like the fact that Argyle never gave up on trying to find the right game to play on the windy day as it shows that he has a lot of determination in trying out various games, no matter how windy the day got. I really loved the fact that Argyle’s mother was supportive of Argyle’s determination in finding the perfect game to play on a windy day as it was great seeing a parent support their child during their time of need and I liked the fact that Argyle’s mother encouraged Argyle to find a different game that would be more suitable to play in the wind. Marie Letourneau’s artwork is adorable and colorful to look at as I loved the images of Argyle Fox doing different activities such as playing as a spider and playing as a pirate and I also loved the images of the wind coming in with the words “WHOOSH” accompanying it as it gives it a huge presence in the story.

The reason why I gave this story a four-star rating was because even though I found the story to be really cute, I have already read plenty of children’s books where the main character is trying to find a new game to play either outside or inside the house and I just found this story to be a bit repetitive at this point.

Overall, “Argyle Fox” is a truly cute story about encouraging children to find good games to play on a windy day and I would recommend this book to children ages four and up since there is nothing inappropriate in this book.

this is an adorable children’s picture book about a feisty fox, but it’s also one of those children’s entertainments studded with nuggets of life lessons. this one manages to deliver its message without being cloying or off-putting, which is wonderful, because i am allergic to being told how to live, and i suspect foxen are as well.

young argyle fox wants to play outside, but every game he plays ends up ruined by the ‘rotten, wicked, spiteful’ wind. every time he announces his plans, he is warned by some well-meaning creature or other that this particular game might not work well in the wind, but argyle fox is stubborn and determined, although admittedly, those creatures turn out to be correct every time, even when it comes to games that should totally work in the wind, like pirate or spider, or even soccer.

<a href="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/kettincat/media/flat%20stanley/flat%20stanley003/IMG_0702_zpst9k77vyn.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m545/kettincat/flat%20stanley/flat%20stanley003/IMG_0702_zpst9k77vyn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0702_zpst9k77vyn.jpg"/></a>

FWOOOOOSSSHHHH (insert wind-noises here)

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d’oh

after five failed attempts, argyle fox is very fed up indeed, and stomps back home, shouting, <i>“I’m never playing in the wind ever, ever, EVER again!”</i> and having himself a good pout.

<a href="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/kettincat/media/flat%20stanley/flat%20stanley003/IMG_0707_zps6mkvdiad.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m545/kettincat/flat%20stanley/flat%20stanley003/IMG_0707_zps6mkvdiad.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0707_zps6mkvdiad.jpg"/></a>

but mama fox is a wise vixen, and she gently encourages him to think hard and surely he will be able to come up with a game that will be perfect for windy-day play.

and he does, because he is a fox full of cleverness and bags full of tricks, and also because a children’s story that ended in despair would not be very appealing, [book:The Velveteen Rabbit|144974] aside.

there are many lessons and values at play here: persistence, overcoming life’s obstacles, resourcefulness, lateral thinking, and creative problem-solving. but it’s also a subtle reminder about all the fun that can be had in the great outdoors, all active and wild and free, because no wind is <i>really</i> going to stop pirate play.

frankly, i’m not sure that most of these are lessons this particular fox really <i>needed</i> to learn, since he proved he was creative and resourceful enough to come up with five ideas all on his own, many of which involved homemade props, but i’m always on board with books that emphasize low-tech, high-imagination funtimes, so a little preaching to the choir is fine by me.

the only real lesson argyle fox might have learned here is the one about “listening to others who are just trying to save you from wasting your time,” but that is a lesson that is NO FUN AT ALL, and it’s important for foxen to discover things for themselves, not to just blindly obey some groundhog.

i also like how sassy argyle fox is. he is taking advice from NO ONE, and he’s not afraid to tap into his predator-impulses:

<a href="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/kettincat/media/flat%20stanley/flat%20stanley003/IMG_0705_zpsvngj51ef.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m545/kettincat/flat%20stanley/flat%20stanley003/IMG_0705_zpsvngj51ef.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0705_zpsvngj51ef.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1131.photobucket.com/user/kettincat/media/flat%20stanley/flat%20stanley003/IMG_0706_zpsl4cpbofr.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1131.photobucket.com/albums/m545/kettincat/flat%20stanley/flat%20stanley003/IMG_0706_zpsl4cpbofr.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo IMG_0706_zpsl4cpbofr.jpg"/></a>

very cute, very fun, and i’m always here to thumbs-up a good foxen tale.

please excuse the poor quality of the pictures - i got this from netgalley, so they were snapped off of my computer, which, like house of cards on a windy day, is always a bad idea. i will try to remember to re-photograph from the actual book in the future. because obviously i’m going to want to own this one.