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