Esquire Fox isn’t like any other fox. She’s a snazzy dresser for one with her tweed coat and immaculate grooming. She also runs a very important organisation called The Animal Rescue Agency, along with her Rooster friend Mr Pepper. They are an organisation of only two but are very serious about their missions.

Esquire Fox is all about the excitement and action of the mission, the ideas and the courage, where Mr Pepper is much more sensible, cranky and precise. He makes sure that Esquire packs the right clothes and doesn’t do everything for free.

When they hear of a young animal lost in the Arctic, they spring into action – and their warm clothing. They can’t quite figure what type of animal is in trouble as animal telegraph is famously unreliable the further the message needs to travel.

They set off for Utqiagvik, Alaska to investigate, and are met by a husky and a milk crate. This mode of travel is tricky when not hanging on for dear life, but gets them where they need to be.

Upon arrival they check out the locals. Esquire stands out in her cream scarf and matching waist coat, and Mr Pepper looks quite delicious to others. They learn what they need to know, but are soon in trouble themselves. Scolding herself, Esquire steps up her investigation to learn something truly horrible is at foot. A human!

The first in this series, this story has it all. Animals, fun, friendship, mystery, danger, adventure and action. Esquire Fox and Mr Pepper’s banter is funny, the setting in Alaska is exotic, and the story races along.

Illustrations throughout, some full page, add so much to the story showing Esquire’s world and adventure. Underlying the tale is the menace of a particular human with a terrible plan in mind. This leads to an environmental theme of loss of habitat as the animals struggle to avoid humankind.

When you’ve finished reading, there is more information about the melting of the ice, and websites to visit to learn more. A recipe for Esquire’s favourite treat is also included, along with a chapter of the next book in the series.

Loved it!

Author – Eliot Schrefer

Illustrator – Daniel Duncan

Age – 7+

(2022, Harper Collins, Adventure, Action, Animals, Arctic Circle, Alaska, Snow, Danger, Capture, Hunting, Habitat Loss, Ice Melting, Environmental, Series, Humour, Funny, Talking Animals, Rooster, Fox, Polar Bear, Mystery, Missing Animals, Detective, Investigations, Trapped)