The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest
Age 8+
Humorous Stories
A delightfully grim tale about an undead fox whose lonely existence is turned upside down when he learns his job as usher of souls is in jeopardy, perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo and Tim Burton.
Clare is the undead fox of Deadwood Forest. Hovering between life and death, he was given the choice to either cross into the Afterlife or become an Usher of wandering souls. And while he loves guiding animal souls into each of the four realms, Clare is lonely. But Clare’s lonely undead existence is met with upheaval when a badger soul named Gingersnipes knocks on his door. Clare seeks the help of Hesterfowl—the visionary grouse who recently foretold of turmoil in Deadwood. But Hesterfowl has a shocking revelation: Clare is dying—this time really dying. Clare is devastated; outraged; and decides he will do anything to change his fate ...
Creators
Aubrey Hartman lives in California with her husband and three young children. Like Poppy, she believes in magic: the kind that’s made up of powerful words, cinematic scenes, and characters who curl up in your heart to stay. Also like Poppy, she’s passionate about inspiring young people to recognize the impact their voices can have in the world. She is the author of The Lion of Lark-Hayes Manor and The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest.
Reviews
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest is a heartwarming story of peace, pleasure, progress and pain. I loved the way the author portrayed such strong elements of grief and loss, life and love in a way that was both understandable and appealing to smaller people.
Jodie, WA, 5 stars
Perfect for reading along with your child as it offers gentle, but subtle provocations to discuss social and friendship issues that may be present in your child’s life. This book will one day be a classic! I hope there will be more to come.
Julie, VIC, 5 stars
In this engrossing, thought provoking book, the author presents us with a series of ideas about death and life. It is not a morbid book, but a triumphal one ultimately. Here,, for example is Clare comforting Gingersnaps at her first attempt at ‘ushering’: You comforted a soul in her darkest moment, you did that with no teaching, no guidance, nothing but the kindness of your own heart. a little further on he realises that it is only a part of the answer. You are better than smart… you are curious… you must be curious about the wandering souls who come to your door. The very last pages of the book are told by Clare’s mother who, though she was quite dead, had not quite entered the realms. she explains, this is a story about death. it is also a tale about love.. and it is your job to open your arm and welcome joy. – Moira Robinson
Magpies Magazine
