In this second book in Nancy Vo’s Crow Stories trilogy, a ranger and a fox form a special and unexpected friendship while navigating an indifferent and dangerous wilderness.
In this memorable and beautifully illustrated story, a ranger comes across a fox caught in a trap. The ranger frees the fox and promises only to tend to its wounds. The fox recovers and remains curiously close to the ranger, and when unexpected twists occur, the fox ends up being the helper. The ranger asks the fox, “Does this make us even?” and almost immediately feels regret—keeping score has no place in friendship. And so the two continue their journey together.
In this second book in the Crow Stories trilogy, Nancy Vo explores themes of friendship and how meaningful bonds form when we can openly give and receive. Vo’s stunning, spare illustrations are a delight, and complement the journey of these two nuanced characters toward understanding and companionship.
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
In this second book in Nancy Vo’s Crow Stories trilogy, a ranger and a fox form a special and unexpected friendship while navigating an indifferent and dangerous wilderness.
In this memorable and beautifully illustrated story, a ranger comes across a fox caught in a trap. The ranger frees the fox and promises only to tend to its wounds. The fox recovers and remains curiously close to the ranger, and when unexpected twists occur, the fox ends up being the helper. The ranger asks the fox, “Does this make us even?” and almost immediately feels regret—keeping score has no place in friendship. And so the two continue their journey together.
In this second book in the Crow Stories trilogy, Nancy Vo explores themes of friendship and how meaningful bonds form when we can openly give and receive. Vo’s stunning, spare illustrations are a delight, and complement the journey of these two nuanced characters toward understanding and companionship.
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
| Published By | Groundwood Books Ltd — Aug 1, 2019 |
| Specifications | 44 pages | 8.25 in x 8.625 in |
| Keywords | friends and friendship issues; nature and the natural world; animals; female protagonist; western; action and adventure stories; survival; independent; inter-dependence; adventurers and outlaws; empathy; nurturing; perseverance; respect for community; caring; inferring; questioning; predicting; Common Core aligned; CC Literature Key Ideas and Details; grade 1; grade 2; Kirkus Best Picture Books; Kirkus starred review; picture book; Crow Stories; mixed-media illustrations; |
| Written By |
NANCY VO was raised where the sun rose in the prairies and set behind the Rockies. By night she makes picture books. She is the author/illustrator of the first two books in the Crow Stories trilogy: The Outlaw, described by the New York Times as “bewitching,” and The Ranger, praised in a Kirkus starred review as “visually arresting and enigmatic.” Nancy is also the author/illustrator of Boobies and the illustrator of As Glenn as Can Be by Sarah Ellis. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. |
| Illustrated by |
NANCY VO was raised where the sun rose in the prairies and set behind the Rockies. By night she makes picture books. She is the author/illustrator of the first two books in the Crow Stories trilogy: The Outlaw, described by the New York Times as “bewitching,” and The Ranger, praised in a Kirkus starred review as “visually arresting and enigmatic.” Nancy is also the author/illustrator of Boobies and the illustrator of As Glenn as Can Be by Sarah Ellis. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. |
| Written By |
|
NANCY VO was raised where the sun rose in the prairies and set behind the Rockies. By night she makes picture books. She is the author/illustrator of the first two books in the Crow Stories trilogy: The Outlaw, described by the New York Times as “bewitching,” and The Ranger, praised in a Kirkus starred review as “visually arresting and enigmatic.” Nancy is also the author/illustrator of Boobies and the illustrator of As Glenn as Can Be by Sarah Ellis. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. |
| Illustrated by |
|
NANCY VO was raised where the sun rose in the prairies and set behind the Rockies. By night she makes picture books. She is the author/illustrator of the first two books in the Crow Stories trilogy: The Outlaw, described by the New York Times as “bewitching,” and The Ranger, praised in a Kirkus starred review as “visually arresting and enigmatic.” Nancy is also the author/illustrator of Boobies and the illustrator of As Glenn as Can Be by Sarah Ellis. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia. |
| Audience | ages 4 to 8 / grades K to 3 |
| Reading Levels |
Lexile 490L
Fountas & Pinnel Text Level N Guided Reading N |
| Common Core | CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2 |
Nominated, Chocolate Lily Book Award — Picture Book, 2020
Commended, Kirkus Best Picture Books, 2019
“A restrained text fuses with visually arresting and enigmatic interactions to open a welcoming space for contemplation.” —Kirkus Reviews
“The Ranger is a memorable and beautifully illustrated picture book story … an especially and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library picture book collections …” —Midwest Book Review