What do you think?
Rate this book
Outside the Box
This is the story of Fennel, the Fox,
Who liked to think thoughts that were 'outside the box'...
A heart-warming tale of determination and staying true to yourself.
In the tranquil woods where whispers of adventure rustle through fragrant leaves, Fennel the Fox finds himself at a crossroads. Fennel yearns for something more fulfilling-a life rooted in love for nature and authenticity.
When the weight of conformity bears down on him like a heavy cloak, Fennel bravely embraces the unknown and embarks on a journey to the bustling city, determined to discover how to harmonise his unique spirit with the world around him.
But will he find acceptance in a place where foxes are expected to be sly, or will he teach the city to appreciate the beauty of thinking outside the box?
Join Fennel on this heart-warming adventure that weaves themes of determination, self-acceptance, and friendship. Through the challenges he faces and the friends he discovers along the way, readers will be inspired to celebrate their individuality and the courage it takes to follow one's true path. With captivating illustrations and a touching narrative, "Outside the Box" invites you to explore the transformational power of staying true to oneself and the magic that unfolds when we dare to deviate from the norm.
Let Fennel's story remind you that sometimes the most extraordinary journeys begin when you step beyond the familiar!
Sue Lancaster is a children's author living in South-West London with her husband and two children. She has a passion for writing rhyming picture books and has authored several interactive board books, too. Sue enjoys writing children's poetry and has poems published both online and in print. She is also the founder of The Toy Press.
Who liked to think thoughts that were 'outside the box'...
A heart-warming tale of determination and staying true to yourself.
In the tranquil woods where whispers of adventure rustle through fragrant leaves, Fennel the Fox finds himself at a crossroads. Fennel yearns for something more fulfilling-a life rooted in love for nature and authenticity.
When the weight of conformity bears down on him like a heavy cloak, Fennel bravely embraces the unknown and embarks on a journey to the bustling city, determined to discover how to harmonise his unique spirit with the world around him.
But will he find acceptance in a place where foxes are expected to be sly, or will he teach the city to appreciate the beauty of thinking outside the box?
Join Fennel on this heart-warming adventure that weaves themes of determination, self-acceptance, and friendship. Through the challenges he faces and the friends he discovers along the way, readers will be inspired to celebrate their individuality and the courage it takes to follow one's true path. With captivating illustrations and a touching narrative, "Outside the Box" invites you to explore the transformational power of staying true to oneself and the magic that unfolds when we dare to deviate from the norm.
Let Fennel's story remind you that sometimes the most extraordinary journeys begin when you step beyond the familiar!
Sue Lancaster is a children's author living in South-West London with her husband and two children. She has a passion for writing rhyming picture books and has authored several interactive board books, too. Sue enjoys writing children's poetry and has poems published both online and in print. She is also the founder of The Toy Press.
40 pages, Paperback
Published May 21, 2025
3 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 19, 2025
I listened to this audio book with my son, Elliot who is 5 years old - almost 6! When I asked him what he liked about it, he said:
“I liked that so much and I liked the music (we had a little jiggy to the opening and closing music). I liked that his shop was called Outside The Box. Box rhymes with fox! I would go there to eat leaves cause I don’t like meat”
As a parent, I found it very fun and exciting to listen to and loved the rhyming throughout. I love that the book promotes individuality and how sometimes we don’t always have to follow the rules! Fox was a very interesting character and Elliot has asked if he can get the book for his birthday so that he can see the pictures of Fox and his Cafe.
“I liked that so much and I liked the music (we had a little jiggy to the opening and closing music). I liked that his shop was called Outside The Box. Box rhymes with fox! I would go there to eat leaves cause I don’t like meat”
As a parent, I found it very fun and exciting to listen to and loved the rhyming throughout. I love that the book promotes individuality and how sometimes we don’t always have to follow the rules! Fox was a very interesting character and Elliot has asked if he can get the book for his birthday so that he can see the pictures of Fox and his Cafe.
May 20, 2025
I was lucky to receive the audiobook of this as well as eBook to review so I'm going to split my review like that. Firstly, the actual story itself! I loved it! Fennel was such a cute character and I loved how he stood up for what was right even when his fellow animals weren't very open-minded and were quite set in their ways of how a stereotypical fox should act. He really did have some outside the box thoughts for a fox and I think it will inspire children to not be afraid if they think differently to someone and do what they think is right. I especially loved the ending too, where he tries a few jobs before finding what's right for him, because not everyone is good at everything and that's okay!
In the eBook (and physical copies) I thought the illustrations were beautiful! Nice and colourful but the colours weren't super bright that might be overwhelming, with some full page illustrations and some half-page ones leaving white space for the words so everything's easy to read. And although I do think it's sad with children's books that you miss out on the drawings with an audiobook I thought it was really well read. Nice and slow so it's easy for children (and people like me haha) to follow along, and well enunciated so you can really make out each word. I thought it was really engaging and excellently read. And also read like a poem, how you would emphasise bits with all the rhyming.
I think whichever format you choose you're in for a treat, or try a mix with both at once!
In the eBook (and physical copies) I thought the illustrations were beautiful! Nice and colourful but the colours weren't super bright that might be overwhelming, with some full page illustrations and some half-page ones leaving white space for the words so everything's easy to read. And although I do think it's sad with children's books that you miss out on the drawings with an audiobook I thought it was really well read. Nice and slow so it's easy for children (and people like me haha) to follow along, and well enunciated so you can really make out each word. I thought it was really engaging and excellently read. And also read like a poem, how you would emphasise bits with all the rhyming.
I think whichever format you choose you're in for a treat, or try a mix with both at once!
May 18, 2025
This was a gorgeous little story which will captivate younger readers.
We follow young Fennel the fox who just thinks differently from all the others at home and at school. He hates the school rules and I'm not surprised he's down, when all the other children and even the teacher judge him in just the same way as all the other foxes!
Having an ND child, I absolutely love that this book shows that everyone isn't the same and not only do others think differently sometimes, but also that they are not wrong in being different.
Fennel heads off and tries a few things before finding the right thing for him and I think that lots of us can relate to this ourselves, but is great to teach younger readers to keep trying and eventually the right thing will appear.
I loved the rhyming format which makes it great to read aloud to our pre-readers.
It sounds great for both me to read and for little ones to focus on the sounds even before they understand the words.
The images are gorgeous - nice and bright and with some talking points - but just look how cute Fennel is!!
A great read which I think will become a firm favourite on any shelf and will be read over and over again.
We follow young Fennel the fox who just thinks differently from all the others at home and at school. He hates the school rules and I'm not surprised he's down, when all the other children and even the teacher judge him in just the same way as all the other foxes!
Having an ND child, I absolutely love that this book shows that everyone isn't the same and not only do others think differently sometimes, but also that they are not wrong in being different.
Fennel heads off and tries a few things before finding the right thing for him and I think that lots of us can relate to this ourselves, but is great to teach younger readers to keep trying and eventually the right thing will appear.
I loved the rhyming format which makes it great to read aloud to our pre-readers.
It sounds great for both me to read and for little ones to focus on the sounds even before they understand the words.
The images are gorgeous - nice and bright and with some talking points - but just look how cute Fennel is!!
A great read which I think will become a firm favourite on any shelf and will be read over and over again.
August 2, 2025
Not only is Outside the Box a great rhyming story about charting one's course despite expectations, but it is also a good opportunity to discuss idioms. The idiom "outside the box" is a common phrase, and this short tale serves as a perfect example of how language can sometimes be confusing to children and speakers of other languages. Outside the Box is a children's story that teaches a lesson about individuality and nonconformity, and it could also be used in teacher training, as the teacher in the story relies on commonly held expectations of foxes and is unable to think outside the box. It would also be an excellent icebreaker for team-building meetings in business and community organizations.
May 19, 2025
I'm reviewing this as part of a tour with Hygge Book Tours.
This adorable little story is about a fox named Fennel. Fennel has lots of ideas, and he decides to go out and about, exploring the world for himself. He finds that some of his ideas don't work out as he hoped, but he still doesn't give up.
This fun story is told in rhyming sentences, with bold and colourful illustrations that are delightful to look at, and make it easy to follow the story. This book brought a little smile to my face, and children will love it.
Thank you to Hygge Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
This adorable little story is about a fox named Fennel. Fennel has lots of ideas, and he decides to go out and about, exploring the world for himself. He finds that some of his ideas don't work out as he hoped, but he still doesn't give up.
This fun story is told in rhyming sentences, with bold and colourful illustrations that are delightful to look at, and make it easy to follow the story. This book brought a little smile to my face, and children will love it.
Thank you to Hygge Book Tours, and to the author and publisher, for the opportunity to read and review this.
May 23, 2025
Outside the Box is such a cute little read! It’s the story of young Fennel the fox who wants to think for himself and not follow the norm. In other words, he wants to think outside the box. He doesn’t want to do typical fox things. He moves to the city, trying lots of different jobs to no avail. Just as he is about to give up, his outside the box thinking saves the day. I loved this book! I thought Fennel’s career choice and café name was fantastic. The illustrations were just adorable and were perfect for the story audience. This is a great read for young audiences that shares the important message of thinking for yourself.
May 25, 2025
As a parent, daughter duo reading this book, we absolutely loved it, the shop is actually called outside the box which we found very interesting and appealing.
The book is based on individuals and sometimes not following rules isn't a bad thing (in moderation of course)
Fennel is such a lovely character that will stand up for things even if his fellow friends don't agree or follow, which I think is very brave and shows courage.
Overall a beautiful story for children, and we really liked!
Thank you for letting me read your book, I really liked Fennel and the shop (Noorulain age 5)
The book is based on individuals and sometimes not following rules isn't a bad thing (in moderation of course)
Fennel is such a lovely character that will stand up for things even if his fellow friends don't agree or follow, which I think is very brave and shows courage.
Overall a beautiful story for children, and we really liked!
Thank you for letting me read your book, I really liked Fennel and the shop (Noorulain age 5)
April 17, 2025
Outside the Box is a cute story of a fox called Fennel. His story is designed to teach your child to think 'outside the box' when it comes to making decisions and whether they are the right ones.
Throughout the book is beautifully illustrated. All illustrations done by the talented Anyu Desyana.
Littles will absolutely love it. It's fun, features some great characters and is an enjoyable story.
🌟🌟🌟.5/5
Throughout the book is beautifully illustrated. All illustrations done by the talented Anyu Desyana.
Littles will absolutely love it. It's fun, features some great characters and is an enjoyable story.
🌟🌟🌟.5/5
May 20, 2025
Outside the box by Sue Lancaster.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. The illustrations are amazing. I also listened to the audiobook. I loved the narrator. I would definitely recommend this book.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the cover and blurb of this book. The illustrations are amazing. I also listened to the audiobook. I loved the narrator. I would definitely recommend this book.
May 19, 2025
Poor Fennel! He’s not like the other foxes. He wants to be friends with everyone and take things ‘at a leisurely pace.’ But the teacher tells him that he’ll ‘be destined to lose.’ He needs to be sneaky and sly.
He even loves the chickens and doesn’t want to harm them because ‘Chickens have feelings too…’
Eventually, he decides the countryside isn’t for him, so off he goes to the city. But every job he tries is a disaster. How can you cut hair when you can’t hold the scissors or drive a bus when you don’t know your right from your left.
Until…it was a revelation! He learnt how to cook vegetarian food and set up a cafe…
… called Outside the Box.
What a lovely book this is (not just because I’m also vegetarian) with Fennel as such a sweet character. The book is written in rhyme and the illustrations by Anyu Desyana are great fun. It’s perfect for children aged 3 to 9 to read by themselves, or be read to.
He even loves the chickens and doesn’t want to harm them because ‘Chickens have feelings too…’
Eventually, he decides the countryside isn’t for him, so off he goes to the city. But every job he tries is a disaster. How can you cut hair when you can’t hold the scissors or drive a bus when you don’t know your right from your left.
Until…it was a revelation! He learnt how to cook vegetarian food and set up a cafe…
… called Outside the Box.
What a lovely book this is (not just because I’m also vegetarian) with Fennel as such a sweet character. The book is written in rhyme and the illustrations by Anyu Desyana are great fun. It’s perfect for children aged 3 to 9 to read by themselves, or be read to.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews