Fox Won't Be Named Employee of the Month Any Time Soon...

I've been getting a kick lately out of a grand new discovery: the series of Dial Easy-to-Read books about Fox, a mischievous youth who can't seem to avoid trouble even when he isn't looking for it. All the books are illustrated by James Marshall of George and Martha fame; some are written by him as well, while others bear the name of his cousin, Edward Marshall.

James gets the credit all to himself for Fox on the Job, an amusing collection of stories that, like Fox and His Friends, depict Fox in a position of reluctant responsibility. In this book, he shuffles between several jobs, looking for one that will stick long enough for him to pay for a new bike to replace the one he wrecked while showing off for the girls (in one of the book's most entertaining illustrations). In this small bit of set-up, those new to the series get a taste of his mother's no-nonsense parenting style and his somewhat strained relationship with his little sister Louise; the former forces Fox into action, while the latter is responsible for his most riotous occupational mishap.

In New Shoes, Fox tries his luck working as a shoe salesman. He assures the chicken who owns the shop that he is honest, but in this line of work, perhaps there is such a thing as being too honest. I'm fond of the picture showing Fox making a pyramid of shoes while his boss is on break; it's an artful and colorful project, but it's certainly not very utilitarian!

In The Haunted House, Fox doesn't even have to ask for his job as a ticket taker for a haunted house at an amusement park. He readily accepts the offer, but when it looks like Clark, little brother to his friend Carmen, has gotten lost inside, Fox isn't so eager to face those dark corridors, which his mustachioed boss promised were "very scary."

In Pizza Time, Fox takes over a pizza delivery job for his friend Dexter, who was fired for eating his deliveries before they reached their destination. Fox is especially diligent with this new task, but a run-in with Louise and her pet mice creates hilarious complications.

The Bright Idea concludes the book, as Fox, not quite ready to give up on his new bike yet, passes by a furniture store and is inspired to devise a clever plan that just might end his luckless streak. But can it really work?

Fox on the Job is funny, but it also teaches a good lesson about working for the things you want rather than just expecting a hand-out. Fox does seem rather young to be taking on such jobs; he can't be any older than eighth grade, yet he's walking into shops and getting hired immediately. But so much suspension of disbelief is required for a James Marshall book that this detail isn't much of a stretch. Entertaining and character-building, Fox on the Job gets a glowing evaluation from me.