LoveReading4Kids Says
LoveReading4Kids Says
Available from Amazon.
Available from Waterstones
The wildlife of Crouch End in North London have their own busy lives. When heavy rain one winter leads Marvin Mole and his family to dig new accommodation next door to Rufus the dapper, waistcoat wearing Fox, they strike up an unlikely alliance as Marvin Mole & Sons helps Rufus to fix his waterlogged home. While the building work is underway Rufus shares his fascination with the human’s Christmas celebrations and the local animals all call a truce so that they can come together and experience the holiday for themselves. With teamwork and a little bit of Fairy magic all the different animals, from frogs to magpies, come together to enjoy Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Then the true magic of Christmas is revealed and changes Rufus forever.
The Tale Of The Animals' Christmas In Crouch End by Lance Lee is a sweet illustrated Christmas story. The focus on urban wildlife gives the book both a natural wind in the willows feel while also being something that all children would be able to picture happening at the bottom of their garden. The illustrations by Meilo So are lovely, colourful and a variety of sizes, interspersed within the text and on their own pages to help with telling the story. I think that this would be a great festive read for young readers who love animals, it’s filled with the joys of Christmas as well as key messages about teamwork, community and friendship. Perfect for the festive season.
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The Tale Of The Animals' Christmas In Crouch End Synopsis
Available from Amazon.
Available from Waterstones
A year of unusually heavy rains spark a series of events that lead the Animals of Crouch End in North London to decide to celebrate Christmas for the first time. These begin when Rufus Fox hires Marvin Mole & Sons to repair his flooded home. As he wanders Crouch End and sees Christmas decorations appear soon Belinda, a wood pigeon, Hilda Hedgehog, The Magpies, Silas Squirrel and family, Franklin Frog and his family, and the large, fierce, tiger-striped tabby, Goya, who overhear Rufus' bewilderment over Christmas, decide to suspend their usual activities and, led by Rufus, to collaborate on putting together their own Christmas and Christmas Feast in order to understand Christmas. Magic is involved, too, as Rufus has second sight, and is helped by the Fairy, Tinya, who first explains what Christmas is about, and then helps make Rufus' home Marvin Mole & Sons repair large enough for everyone to fit in—even though it isn't. But Tinya challenges Rufus to discover on his own the real secret of Christmas. Rufus is still puzzled even after all goes off splendidly Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but at the very end with Tinya he realizes the secret is not getting, but giving; not having a truce among unlikely animals, but a family relationship, all motivated by love for one another. He decides to become a vegetarian to keep his new 'family' together.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9798218181659 |
| Publication date: |
15th November 2023 |
| Author: |
Lance Lee |
| Illustrator: |
Meilo So |
| Publisher: |
Lance Lee |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Suitable For: |
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| Primary Genre |
Indie Author Books
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| Other Genres: |
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| Recommendations: |
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Press Reviews
Lance Lee Press Reviews
'Destined to be a Christmas classic, readers of all ages can experience Christmas magic through the eyes of a special group of animals. So many fun details and heartwarming aspects of this story. It will make a wonderful book to read as a family year after year. With 9 chapters, it makes the perfect run-up to the holiday--creating anticipation to know what will happen next while slowly ushering in the most magical time of year. Pick up your copy today and be enchanted by not only the story but the delightful illustrations drawn by the talented Meilo So.' —Jill Stanish ***** Must read, Reedsy
'Enchantingly told and marvelously illustrated, Lance Lee's holiday- themed chapter book offers bountiful delights for readers of every age. A modern-day urban Wind in the Willows set in London, this story, subtitled "a fable for children and their parents," is populated with mannered Beatrix Potter-like animals on a quest to discover the meaning and magic of Christmas...a timeless tale of caring, sharing and community, with a glorious dollop of magic. Effortlessly charmingly, this instant holiday classic deserves a spot among the best of Christmas tales for children. Highly recommended for fans of Kenneth Grahame and Beatrix Potter.' - Blueink Starred Review (US)
'A charmingly eccentric fox and his cadre of animal neighbors learn the true meaning of Christmas in this fanciful children's tale. Lee (author of Orpheus Rising) endows his animal characters with plenty of human—and Yuletide—spirit, and their holiday cheer serves as the catalyst for Christmas magic to transform them and their surroundings. Meilo So's dreamy illustrations bring to mind vintage Christmas scenes, a perfect match for the age-old lesson Rufus eventually learns: love is the true reason for the season. Comparable Titles: Robert Barry's Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree, Jan Brett's The Animals' Santa.' - Booklife (Publishers Weekly) Review (US)
'An unusual take on the Christmas book for kids, adopting a lively focus that embraces fairy tale magic and Christmas insights as a disparate group of animals wild and domestic move from incomprehension at human behavior to realizing They have tapped into an important secret. Meilo So's colorful illustrations pepper the story. An attraction to any library catering to young readers, especially recommended for family viewing. A fine London-steeped tale that explores the deeper points of Christmas.' - Diane Donovan, Sr. Reviewer Midwest Book Review Editor, Donovan's Literary Services (US, and Internet)
Readers' Favorite Five Star Reviews (Internet)
'A magical story. The illustrations by Meilo So are captivating. Parents will enjoy reading this story to their young ones. Older children will also enjoy reading the book in anticipation of finding out how the pictures relate to the story. Intriguing from start to end.' - Bryone Peters
'Here is a Christmas story that will keep you engaged. The author writes in a manner that draws you into the story to see how well the various creatures put aside their differences, learn they can celebrate together in harmony. I recommend parents use this book as a foundation to discuss how to accept people who are different from them, how to celebrate together, and the joy of giving, sharing, and togetherness.' - Phillip van Heusen
'An enchanting tale of wonder, friendship, and the true meaning of Christmas filled with lovable animals and gorgeous illustrations. . This uplifting and enjoyable fable will soon become a family favorite...each year. - Melinda Facal
Author
About Lance Lee
Lance Lee is a Manhattan-born author, poet and playwrite whose poems, stories and articles for adults and children, have appeared widely in both American and English journals. A number of his plays have been produced and published.
His works also include a children's novel, Orpheus Rising, 2021, "A Best Book of 2021, Indie" Kirkus Reviews, and a children's novella, The Tale Of Brian And The House Painter Mervyn, 2022, in addition to The Tale Of The Animals' Christmas In Crouch End, 2023.
Lance can be found on LinkedIn here
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