Review by Karl Verhoven

Tiny Fox and Great Boar arrive for a third visit with Dawn, which continues from Furthest, but there’s no need to know that, and the adventure here can be read without any reference to previous books.

Once again Berenika Kołomycka has Tiny Fox and Great Boar finding a new environment, this time a marshy area, and once again there’s a hint of positive reinforcement to embed into the very young children to whom this is read. Tiny Fox and Great Boar meet a mayfly before its transformation, and looking forward to the new opportunities it will provide. “I’ll be able to fly places I’ve never been before”, it explains, “I’ll see lovely meadows with colorful flowers”.

Over three volumes Kołomycka has taken greater joy in the scenery, and the wetland location is brought to beautiful life via the contrast of dark and light watercolour applied to the pages. It’s achieved so simply, with all the work carried out during the composition stage.

There’s rather a surprise via the intrusion of death into what so far has been a world of joyful exploration. Mayflies may be able to fly around, but they only live the single day, which is actively brought home to encourage a feeling of sadness that then becomes a central plot point. Kołomycka manifests the sorrow as a shadow chasing Tiny Fox as they consider some existential questions. It’s a puzzling swerve away from the cheer and positivity of the earlier books. Maybe the inclusion is to open discussions with a child about the loss of a loved one, and by the end the value of friendship has been reinforced, but adults should be aware of the content before deciding if it’s suitable for their youngster.

Perhaps the next outing will be slightly happier.