Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. ( )

Rob Hodgson is quickly becoming a new favorite picture book creator for this reviewer. His illustrations are amazing, and he has a tongue in cheek humor that adults see coming a mile away, but the journey is so much fun. This time there are three foxes on the hunt for rabbits. But those sneaky little rabbits are hard to find. This is really fun book to add to any children’s collection. ( )

British author/illustrator Rob Hodgson, who made his debut with The Cave returns to the form with this tale of three foxes on the hunt for rabbits. Following the conveniently (one might almost say suspiciously) places signs, they trek through the forest, but despite their thorough search, they have no luck. Unbeknownst to them, there are three rabbits who are also on the hunt... for them!

Although I did find The Woods rather entertaining, and appreciated the little visual clues throughout that indicate more is going on in the sylvan world than the foxes at first realize, I also found myself thinking that Hodgson seemed to be rehashing, or perhaps elaborating upon the story in his earlier book, The Cave. Perhaps because I read that one first, and knew what to expect, this one felt a little anticlimactic to me. I enjoy fox stories (foxes in children's literature is a research interest of mine), and I think young people will appreciate the role reversal here, but in the end I wasn't terribly impressed. Tastes vary of course, so readers who enjoy Jon Klassen-style tales might want to give this one a look. ( )