Lives of the Fur Folk

"Lives of the Fur Folk" by Maud D. Haviland is a set of stories that tells about the experiences of animals living in the wild, mainly focusing on a fox nicknamed Redpad and his life in Knockdane Woods. These stories use human-like qualities to explore subjects about following instincts, staying alive, and teaching moral lessons through how animals connect with each other and their surroundings. Early in the book, readers meet Vix, a mother fox, who looks after her young cubs in a hidden drain, as spring rains start to flood her home. The beginning shares strong images of settings in nature and describes how these animals face difficulties as they use their instincts in the wild. As Vix tries to protect her cubs from dangers, we watch Redpad grow up, later facing hunters and other dangers. The starting chapters strongly set the mood for the stories to come, blending natural history with enjoyable fantasy, while creating a feeling of empathy for the animals.