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The Tale Of The Animals' Christmas In Crouch End/a fable for children and their parents

By Lance Lee

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Destined to be a Christmas classic, readers of all ages can experience Christmas magic through the eyes of a special group of animals.

Synopsis

A year of unusually heavy rains 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 collaborate on putting together their own Christmas and Christmas Feast in order to understand Christmas.
Rufus is helped by the Fairy, Tinya, who first explains Christmas, helps make Rufus' home Marvin Mole & Sons repair large enough for everyone—even though it isn't—and 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.

Destined to be a Christmas classic, The Tale of the Animals' Christmas in Crouch End will charm the socks off readers young and old--preferably enjoyed jointly as a holiday read-aloud. This book combined so many of my favorite things: talking animals (reminiscent of Wind in the Willows), a British setting, a home project, and a bit of magic sprinkled throughout.


A wetter season than normal has forced Marvin's mole family to reroute their front door. Imagine the mole family's surprise when their new door is adjacent to the home of Rufus, the resident fox of the neighborhood and known hunter of small animals. Marvin is wielding tools (handy defense should the fox become unfriendly), and explains that he does home repairs. Very serendipitous because Rufus' home has been utterly ruined with standing water everywhere. 


Rufus hires Marvin to do repairs and so begins the start of a tentative truce among the animals. Rufus' nephew, Rupert, will be visiting over Christmas and Rufus wants to make the best impression possible.


As the home repairs continue, Rufus finds that his hunting has been curtailed which gives him more time to explore the curious traditions that humans follow at this time of year. Lights and decorated trees appear and a festive spirit permeates the neighborhood that seems to cast a spell over even the animals. A feast is proposed and the animals agree to a period of harmony to share the holiday. When problems arise, Rufus calls upon his gift of second sight and seeks the help of Tinya the fairy. 


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. 


I appreciated that while Santa was an obvious part of the story, the Christ child was also mentioned. And while the story is not particularly religious, it does offer a touching lesson on what makes Christmas special that anyone can appreciate. Pick up your copy today and be enchanted by not only the story but the delightful illustrations drawn by the talented Meilo So.


Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of The Tale of the Animals' Chrismas in Crouch End from Reedsy Discovery for the purpose of review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Reviewed by
Jill Stanish

As an avid reader & homeschool mom to 6 kids, I started posting book reviews to help other parents find books worth reading with their children. My primary interest has been children's literature but I have reviewed other genres for various publishers.

The Tale Of The Animals' Christmas In Crouch End/a fable for children and their parents

Written by Lance Lee

Buy it nowBuy nowBuy
Read preview
Synopsis

A year of unusually heavy rains 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 collaborate on putting together their own Christmas and Christmas Feast in order to understand Christmas.
Rufus is helped by the Fairy, Tinya, who first explains Christmas, helps make Rufus' home Marvin Mole & Sons repair large enough for everyone—even though it isn't—and 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.

NONE UPLOADED: TEXT AND IMAGES INTEGRATED INTO PDF THAT IS UPLOADED—VIEW CHAPTER ONE, THERE.

The Tale Of The Animals' Christmas In Crouch End/a fable for children and their parents

Written by Lance Lee

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Lance Lee
Lance Lee shared an update on The Tale Of The Animals' Christmas In Crouch End/a fable for children and their parents over 1 year ago
over 1 year ago
EXCERPT Note: w/o illustrations. Review Pending THE TALE OF THE ANIMALS’ CHRISTMAS IN CROUCH END a fable for children and their parents ((Synopsis: 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.)) 3. Rufus Finds Tinya Rufus began to look for a Fairy the next day, Rupert at his heels. Usually a Fairy finds you—if you stumble on one by chance it is likely to vanish as soon as seen, as if able to feel even a look. Still, if you go about very carefully and pay attention to what you see out of the corner of an eye, you might find one, if gifted with second sight like Rufus. First Rufus drilled into Rupert how much he needed Marvin Mole & Sons to repair his ruined, dank and dark, and smelly home. Turning Hilda into a meal would make them abandon him. Rupert was not quite sure about his Uncle. Too citified, he thought, but kept that to himself. But his respect grew as the day passed. His Uncle knew how to move through one impenetrable wall or hedge after another. He knew how to cross busy city streets safely. Rupert was horrified by the number of People, the number and 27 size of their houses, and the crowds of metal things rushing about. His head swiveled in fear. He was used to so much less in the country. It was twilight before Rufus abruptly stood still at the end of a line of homes that had once been stables. He stared straight ahead but obviously, to a fellow Fox, paid attention to someone at his side. “Hello Tinya,” Rufus said, “I want to talk to you.” 28 Rupert saw a blurred form by Rufus on the edge of sight. When he looked directly he saw nothing, but when he turned away he saw Tinya. She was tanned, hair a deeper gold, eyes the colour of pale violets, with fine features. Her green dress moved around her with a loose elegance as though in a breeze, not like the heavy, dark clothes of People. Rufus told Tinya all the events that had led a Fox, Mole, Hedgehog, and Wood Pigeon to discuss the strange doings of People at Christmas time. Tinya liked Rufus’ behavior with Marvin Mole & Sons. She looked at him closer when he described saving Hilda. Sometimes an Animal, Fairy, or Person reached out to one another, something much to be admired. Tinya was like that among the Fairies. She wondered if Rufus might be like that among the Foxes. She was curious about Rupert, too. She saw he had a touch Rufus’ gift. She looked directly at him. Rupert’s spine tingled as the busy shops and crowds of People and machines in Crouch End Broadway were replaced by a meadow with a stream running down its middle with blue trees marching into the distance. A low sun hovered above the horizon in a cloudless blue sky. Some Fairies kicked a ball back and forth, others sat in idle groups chatting, and some practiced music to which others danced. 29 Rupert was amazed, but Rufus knew Tinya’s world was just as real as Crouch End Broadway. Sometimes his second sight let him see both worlds at the same time in the same place. He found that very upsetting. He wanted just one thing to be true, not many, not even two. Tinya and her world faded from Rupert’s sight when she turned back to Rufus. She explained the meaning of all the decorations and lights. Or almost all. Tinya smiled. “There’s something more you must find out yourself,” she added as she faded from sight. Rufus was so amazed by her words that he stared at nothing, frozen in place, his thoughts in a whirl. “Uncle?” Rupert asked, breaking the spell. “Come,” was all Rufus said, and hurried home to summon 30 Marvin, Hilda, and Belinda. They were amazed too by Tinya’s explanation of Christmas. “Father Christmas?” Hilda repeated for the tenth time: “in a flying sled?” “No,” Rufus said, “it’s pulled by flying Reindeer.” “Never heard of flying Reindeer!” said Marvin for the tenth time, too. Rupert nodded in agreement. “She said Santa lives in the north?” Belinda asked, as puzzled. “With gifts for all the children in the world?” added Rupert. There might be something in this Christmas after all, he thought. Marvin was exasperated. “How can any sled carry so much!” he said. “It’s magic,” Rufus said. “Ahhh....” breathed Belinda and Hilda. “Stuff and nonsense,” said Marvin. “How can he go into houses without chimneys?” asked Mary. She had joined them after checking on the younger children. “What does it matter?” insisted Marvin. “He’s too fat to get down even the biggest, if what the Fairy says is true.” “And what about the crosses, the Child in Bethlehem, the Animals in the manger, the Wise Men, and the Star they followed?” added Mary. 31 They were very puzzled. “Well,” said Hilda, after no one answered Mary, “I like the idea of celebrating together.” “Of a fine feast,” added Mary. “Of decorations,” added a new voice. Phil and Polly Magpie were half visible above Belinda because of their white feathers, half invisible because of their black. Everyone thought they were thieves, but they just loved to decorate their home with bright things. “Would there be nuts?” Silas Squirrel was a faint red on another branch. “Who said there would be anything?” asked Rufus. “Or do you think we should put aside our differences and have our own Christmas?” He meant that as a joke, but no one laughed. “Maybe” whispered Hilda, “it is the kind of idea that only makes sense if we do it.” “Doing is always better than thinking,” chimed Marvin. “Right!” croaked Franklin Frog as he jumped into their midst. Rufus looked at his country bumpkin nephew he had pulled off Hilda only yesterday. How strange it would be to have dinner 32 33 with her as his guest! Then he remembered how Tinya made him understand there was something, something more...to find out.... That decided him. “We’ll do it,” he said firmly. “Do what!” came a hiss. They jumped. Goya the tiger-striped Tabby stepped into their presence. He was so big he could even hunt a small Fox like Rupert. Only Rufus gave him pause. Rufus faced him now, guarding the others who huddled together. His explanation of Christmas and their plan to celebrate their own gave Goya an even greater pause. Rufus waited, then added: “So, there will be no hunting this Christmas season until the lights and decorations come down,” he said, breaking their silence. “And—we will hold our own Christmas with a great feast for all on Christmas Day.” No one objected to Rufus’ generous version of their agreement. All eyes turned to Goya. “Very well,” agreed Goya after another long pause, his curiosity about all of this as great as Rufus’: “I agree.” They exchanged glances with a collective sigh of relief. “Right,” Marvin nodded with his great, gleaming smile.

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About the author

Recent Work: Elemental Natures (2020), a selection covering his career. Orpheus Rising (2021), a Best Book of 2021, Indie (Kirkus Reviews). The Tale Of Brian And The House Painter Mervyn (2022) a fable for children. A past NEA Creative Writing Fellow; lanceleeauthor.com for all details. view profile

Published on November 15, 2023

Published by

9000 words

Genre:Middle Grade Fantasy

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