Fox in the Bookstore

The physical copy of Fox in the Bookstore, with a saddle-stitch binding.

A 36-page silent comic book about a cold fox trying to get into a cozy bookstore, and the bookstore owner who keeps kicking him out.

SKILLS: Bookbinding, Book Design, Cartooning, Children's Illustration, Comic Book Illustration, Storytelling

SOFTWARE: Adobe InDesign, Paint Tool SAI

DIMENSIONS: 5.5" x 8.5"

YEAR: 2023

Full Graphic Novel

Front Cover for Fox in the Bookstore, by Vibhu Venkatesh. A little fox hides on a bookshelf, while the bookstore owner searches for him. Page 1: A cold little fox wanders through a snowy city, shivering, until he sees a warm light. Page 2: The fox lights up with joy at the sight of a warm bookstore. Page 3: The fox figures that if he goes inside, he can get warmed up and escape the cold winter.
Page 4: The fox presses his face to the door, trying to get the attention of the people sitting and reading inside. The bookstore owner looks up from the register toward the door. Page 5: The bookstore owner walks to the door and opens it, looking at the fox. The fox makes a pleading face, hoping to be let inside, but is gently shooed away. Page 6: The bookstore owner points to a sign, which states that non-service animals are not allowed inside. The fox is dejected, but starts hatching up a plan to get inside. Page 7: The fox hides out of view as two women walk into the store. As the door opens, the fox darts inside as the shocked people watch.
Page 8: The fox keeps running, until he feels the bookstore owner's hand on his scruff. He gets kicked out, bitterly lamenting the failed attempt. Page 9: The fox sees a man with a moustache and glasses walk inside the store, and has an idea. Page 10: The bookstore owner hears a knock at the door, and opens it to find the fox in a poorly made glass and moustache disguise. He shuts the door on him, and the fox angrily kicks the moustache and glasses away. Page 11: A hiker with a backpack walks into the bookstore, warmly greeting the bookstore owner. A tall man in a sweater walks in, also greeting the bookstore owner, with the fox on his shoulders pretending to be a backpack.
Page 12: The fox thinks he's fooled the bookstore owner, but the owner yanks him off the man's back while greeting another customer. The fox is kicked out again, while the man wonders where his real backpack went. Page 13: The fox sees a woman pushing her baby in a stroller, and climbs in with the baby while the woman is distracted in conversation. Page 14: The woman goes inside the bookstore, still pushing the stroller. She greets the bookstore owner, who looks down to see the fox pretending to be the baby's stuffed animal. He takes the fox out of the stroller, leaving the woman surprised and the baby crying. Page 15: A man in a long coat walks into the bookstore, warmly greeting the bookstore owner.
Page 16: As the man walks further inside, the bookstore owner notices the fox hiding under the other man's coat. He quickly drags him back outside. Page 17: The fox sees two children holding hands about to walk inside, and joins hands with them, pretending to also be a child. Page 18: The bookstore owner greets the two children, but catches the fox and sends him back outside. The fox sits sadly as the two children look at him through the window. Page 19: A pile of snow drops on the little fox's head, and he looks up to see the window frame it fell down from.
Page 20: A warm ray of light beams down from an apartment window high above the bookstore, and the fox becomes determined to reach that window. Page 21: The fox jumps on the bookstore's uneven bricks and pipes and climbs up high, until he nearly reaches the window. The two children watch in wonder. Page 22: The fox suddenly slips on the snow and loses his balance, almost falling off the ledge. He dangles high above the ground, with a shaky grip on the ledge. Page 23: The fox cries for help, and the two children hear the fox's pleas. They tell the people inside the bookstore that the fox is in trouble, and everyone rushes outside. The bookstore owner's eyes widen in shock.
Page 24: The store's bell rings frantically as people rush outside, gathering around where the fox is dangling. Page 25: The fox loses his grip on the ledge. Page 26: The fox falls, and the people gathered outside watch in horror. Page 27: The fox's fall suddenly breaks, and it is revealed that the bookstore owner caught him.
Page 28: The people cheer, overjoyed that the fox is safe. The fox looks up gratefully at the bookstore owner, and he smiles at the fox with a relieved sigh. Page 29: The bookstore owner reassures the storegoers that all is well, sending them back inside. Then, to the fox's disappointment, he sets the fox down and walks inside without him. Page 30: As the fox gives the bookstore owner one last pleading look, the bookstore owner glances back with a regretful expression, but turns away again as the door shuts. Page 31: The fox stands alone in the snow, once again looking at the closed door and shivering. But after some time, the door opens once more.
Page 32: The bookstore owner extends an inviting hand to the fox, finally allowing him to come inside. The fox takes his hand, and walks inside with him while the people inside greet them both. Page 33: As the fox rounds the corner, he realizes the bookstore owner has given him his very own bookshelf with a pillow and blanket to stay warm. Touched by the gesture, he plops down on the pillow. Page 34: The bookstore owner looks at the fox warmly, and tucks him into bed. Back Cover. It is a continuation of the front cover, in which the bookstore owner now glances around the other side of the bookshelf to see the fox's tail peeking out.