The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman illustrated by Marcin Minor

When winds blow

Through Deadwood east

The undead monster waits to feast

On little bones

And braids

And toes

But don't you scream

Or its hunger grows!

While I did read this book fairly quickly over a couple of days it took me a little while to get used to the use of a girls name Clare for a male character - the undead fox.

What does undead mean? Well, when a creature dies it usually just heads off to the afterlife but there are some creatures that need help to find the right door or realm. This guiding or, as it is called here, the Ushering, is the job of the undead - in this case Clare the fox but there have been many others before him - Brickbane a fox; Eddifoot a racoon; Po an elk and Felix a moth. There are four destinations:

"Travel north from here and you'll find the realm of Peace ... for those who found joy in rest. Head east and you encounter the realm of Pleasure ... best suited to those who sought fun about all else. Directly west is Progress ... for those who loved work, service and effort. And finally travel south ... and one enters the realm of Pain."

Clare has been sending the souls who arrive at his cottage in Deadwood Forest to the 'right' door for over four years. He enjoys his work and loves tending to his extensive mushroom garden but deep in his heart he is lonely and also frightened because Brickbane told him on the night of his death that he was destined for Pain. And not only that a prophecy song is circulating:

"On All Hallows Eve, Deadwood will bring mayhem to Fernlight. And before the moon sets, one in Deadwood will vanish forever."

Then there is new arrival. It is a badger named Gingersnipes. Astute readers will realise something is wrong. Gingersnipes does not arrive in the usual way by knocking on Clare's door. When Clare sends Gingersnipes away to his assigned realm "he did not wait for the crackling sound of her departure".  This is a big mistake.

Hopefully now you have lots of unanswered questions. How did Clare die? Why did Gingersnipes arrive at this time? What does do the songs of All Hallows Eve mean? Who is the little girl with the red shoes? Can the message and advice from Hesterfowl be trusted? And most important of all what on earth is a braid?  (Of course, dear reader you know the answer to this final question but it is a mystery to Clare).

There is one very violent scene near the end of this book so I am going to say this is a book for mature readers aged 10+. 

All of this plot sounds every 'heavy' but there are some sweet touches of humour in this story and you are sure to enjoy meeting the rats at the dump named Nine and Two. The names of the mushrooms that Clare collects from the forest are also delightful. And I loved the way Clare always said 'travel true' as he sent lost souls off to their assigned realm. 

Here is a description of Clare's cottage:

"Clare, for example, had strung the ceiling with rows and rows of twine. The walls were lined with shelves crammed with jars of all shapes and colours, gathered from Deadwood Dump and filled with dried fungi. In the firelight the vessels glinted and glowed, splashing the hollow in jewelled hues."

Here is a line that made me smile - it is Gingersnipes speaking:

"I have a moose-sized bone to pick with you. Four times you sent me into that forest. And four times the coloured lights led me back here. Is this some sort of game? A test? Because I'm tired of it, fox!"

And later Gingersnipes says: "You're a tough nut to crack, Clare, and frankly I am not a squirrel!"

There is an interesting theme in this book about thirst - this is something I need to think a little more about. Being undead Clare does not need food or drink, but he makes special tea for all his visitors and so it seems important and very strange that once Gingersnipes arrives, and Clare's world shifts, he seems to be desperately thirsty all the time. 

Here is a description of Hesterfowl the grouse - "She wore a cloak of moss. A collar of bones encircled her short neck, some poor dead animal's rib cage fanning up and around her head. The feathers surrounding her eyes were smeared with berry pulp and groomed into sharp points." (I need to make special mention of the amazing illustrations in this book AND question why his name is not on the cover or title page. You can see his art here on Instagram). Marcin Minor lives in Poland.

Image source Instagram

I think it was the cover that first caught my attention. Checking some details I see the hardcover of this book arrived here in Australia in late February 2025 then, as I already mentioned I was given a generous book voucher for one of book chain stores here in Sydney - so when I saw they had the paperback which was released in April this book was an obvious first purchase.

SPOILER ALERT - Bookseller blurb: Clare is the undead fox of Deadwood Forest. Here, leaves grow in a perpetual state of fall: not quite dead, but not quite alive...just like Clare. Long ago, he was struck by a car, and, hovering between life and death, he was given the choice to either cross into the Afterlife or become an Usher of wandering souls. Clare chose the latter: stepping into a solitary life of helping souls meet their destiny. Clare's quiet and predictable days are met with upheaval when a badger soul named Gingersnipes (arrives). Despite Clare's efforts to usher her into the Afterlife, the badger is unable to find her way out of Deadwood. This is unprecedented. Baffling. A disturbing mystery which threatens the delicate balance of the living and the dead. Clare seeks the help of Hesterfowl--the visionary grouse who recently foretold of turmoil in Deadwood. But Hesterfowl divulges a shocking revelation about the badger that leaves Clare devastated, outraged, and determined to do anything to change their fate.

Read some young reader reviews - very insightful.

Heartbreaking, marvelously funny, and generously redemptive. Kirkus Star review

"I really love Gingersnaps" "A timeless book". Colby Sharp Newbery prediction.

US author Aubrey Hartman has written two books. Check out her webpage.  

Companion books:

Good Dog

Loteria

The Life and Time of Lonny Quicke

Magrit

A Happy Place by Britta Teckentrup

"A little star shines brightly through the bedroom window. It shines down on a sleepless mind, spinning with restless thoughts. Follow me, whispers the star, 
and I will help you to find a happy place."

This book begs to be read aloud with words like tippy-toed squirrel, bushy-tailed fox, long-eared hare and starry-eyed stoats. Perfect for a preschool group or a young reading companion aged 4+.

In a few months I will be talking to a small group of local Teacher-Librarians. One of the things I want to share is the importance of sharing the BEST picture books from around the world both for their stories but even more for the way picture books give children of all ages (from youngest up to young adult) an experience of some of the best art in the world.

Nighttime is one of Teckentrup’s specialties, and this gently soothing tale is no exception; it’s sure to have little ones on their way to the sweetest of dreams in no time. Dreamlike, quiet, delightful. Kirkus

A Happy Place is another triumph by Britta Teckentrup and her artwork provides a perfect backdrop to the text. It is calm and comforting, full of nature and little details that can be pored over and explored. Just Imagine

Hopefully you have one or two books in your school library illustrated by Britta Teckentrup. Her art is simply incredible. A Happy Place has flaps and die-cut pages so I was amazed to discover it is not too expensive in paperback [9781838916596]. Pop the name Britta Teckentrup into my side bar or click the label on this post to see more of her books.

Something's Wrong by Jory John illustrated by Erin Kraan

Subtitle: A Bear, a Hare and Some Underwear

On the title page we see Bear waking up to the sound of his alarm clock. He feels that something is wrong.

"Let's see ... I ate my breakfast. I wrote in my journal. I watered my plant. I took my bath. I tried on the gift from grandma. And I combed my fur. Hmmm. So why do I still feel like I'm forgetting something?"

The delight here is that readers, and the other forest animals, can see the problem even though Bear cannot. Yes, Bear still has on his underpants. But no one seems able to tell Bear the truth. That is until Bear meets Jeff. 

"Oh boy. Should I tell him? Yes? You really think he can handle it? Why am I even asking you? Who are you? All right. Welp. Here we go ... ' Deep Breath."

Jeff is the best of friends. He turns a potentially terrible and utterly embarrassing situation into something affirming and warm-hearted. 

The book is also a clever primer on handling embarrassment and how it can sometimes be dealt with by simply changing the perspective of what’s happening. This underwear affair is wise, witty, and just brief enough. Kirkus Star review

This book is so funny. Your library group or young reading companion will be rolling around on the floor with laughter BUT sadly here in Australia this book is priced way beyond any library or home book shelf at over AUS$45. My hardcover copy was published in 2021 - perhaps a paperback edition will be produced. I do hope so. See inside on the illustrator web page. 

Publisher blurb: Jeff the bear has definitely forgotten something. He ate his breakfast, he watered his plant, he combed his fur . . . what could it be? Why does he feel so oddly off? So he asks his friend Anders the rabbit what could possibly be wrong. It couldn't have anything to do with the fact that he's wearing underwear . . . over his fur . . . could it? Another read-out-loud, laugh-out-loud picture book from bestselling and beloved author Jory John, paired with rising star illustrator Erin Balzer, about that horrible nagging feeling that it just might not be your day—but you know you have a friend to support you no matter what.

You can see other terrific books by Jory John on his web page. Here is the stand-alone companion book:

Anders does not seem like himself. He and his friend Jeff are headed out for a picnic, but no matter how much Anders insists that he’s feeling just fine, Jeff gets the sense that his best friend isn’t being totally honest. Should he check in on Anders, or give him space? Should he help him out, or just be by his side? How can he be a good friend if he doesn’t know what his friend might need?

My friend from Kinderbookswitheverything has a blog post about Underwear Day and this one too. And here is her Pinterest - what a fun mini theme for your Preschool or Kindergarten group. Here's a sample of her collection.

Don't feed the Bear by Kathleen Doherty illustrated by Chip Wass

The setting here is a national park. Campers are having issues with the local bears who eat any food that they leave out on picnic tables - silly tourists! 

Time for action by the ranger. He erects a sign - DON'T FEED THE BEAR. I guess he did not realise that 1. Bears can read and 2. Bears can write.

Bear retaliates with his own sign - DON'T FEED THE RANGER.

And so the war of words begins. Bear purchases some new merchandise - a tshirt that reads "I am not a bear" and a matching hat "not a bear". The Ranger is not fooled so he adds a footnote to his sign DON'T FEED THE BEAR (no matter what he says).

There is power in that word don't - what happens if you cross it out? FEED THE RANGER, FEED THE BEAR (no matter what). Bear consults his dictionary and adds to his sign feed the ranger rotten eggs and slimy spinach. Of course the Ranger just makes more signs - hey you! Go ahead feed the bear wormy apples and moldy muffins.

None of this is working. Is there a different way to approach this problem. The solution will surprise and delight you. Oh and then you will want to make some smores - marshmallows and chocolate between graham crackers. Here is a recipe to use in a kitchen if you don't have a handy camp fire.

Image Source: Coles Australia supermarket

Here is the website for Kathleen Doherty. I am happy to see this book from 2018 is still available and the hard cover edition is a really good price. And here is the even cheaper paperback.

Chip Wass is an award-winning artist who designs characters and illustrations for Disney, Cartoon Network, The New York Times, ESPN, and Wendy’s. His previous books include Monster Knows Patterns, and Monster Knows Numbers (Picture Window Books).

Violet and Jobie in the Wild by Lynne Rae Perkins

A marvelous heroic journey in miniature. Kirkus Star review

Violet and Jobie are enjoying a good life as house mice. They are not pets. They live in a human home and enjoy delicious food treats and television viewing from their bookshelf seat. They especially love to watch nature programs. One day they see some delicious cheese and peanut butter, a double treat, has been left in a box. There is something holding the cheese and the peanut butter. Violet and Jobie use this to play a game - the snapping game. Using a pole (you can see in the illustration that this is a pencil) they jump on their pole and snap! Now they can feast on the treats, but little do they know the humans are about to find them. Yes, this is a mouse trap. The humans are surprised to find the mice are alive in the box. Luckily for Violet and Jobie the mother and son decide to take this pair back to the wild. Violet and Jobie know nothing about living in the wild. It is fairly easy to find food but what about all the danger - predators seem to be everywhere. Oh, and they will need somewhere safe to live.

This is a perfect story for readers aged 8+. It contains small black and white illustrations and has 33 short chapters with a large print size. My paperback copy cost AUS$20. One very interesting part of this story comes right at the end. Yes, it is a happy ending, but it is a very different one as Violet and Jobie will now move on and live separate lives.  Here are some brief discussion ideas if you read this book to a class.

The fast-paced plot keeps this gentle survival story moving. Horn Book

Populated with enough mice to give most grownups nightmares, Violet and Jobie in the Wild is a sweet and engaging coming-of-age tale for middle graders. I love how Jobie observes and appreciates the character of Iris, a kind and patient girl mouse he happens to meet, making him want to connect with her. Through Violet, the reader experiences the way that a trusted mentor can open up new joys and share wisdom. A Book and a Hug

When I saw the name Lynne Rae Perkins, I immediately thought of this book which I previously read and loved:

Companion book:

Word of Mouse

Ruby the Christmas Donkey by Mirabel Cecil illustrated by Christina Gascoigne

"The little animals were usually fast asleep now, but they could not rest while their old friend Ruby was so unhappy. They decided that since she could not make a warm winter coat for herself, they would make one for her."

This is a deeply poignant story about an old donkey who spends her summers giving rides to children at the beach but now it is winter. It is bitterly cold and usually Ruby and the other donkey named Scarlett are able to grow a warmer coat as they spend winter in a farm paddock but this year Ruby just feels too old to grow her coat. The wild animals are deeply concerned and so they weave Ruby a beautiful coat from various forest materials.

When the neighborhood children come to select donkey for their Nativity play they see Ruby in her magical coat. She looks perfect for the play and so she is led away to be the star of the show with the promise of a happy but not specified happy ending. 

Ruby's friends think her as precious as the gem she's named after in this deft tale of generosity, compassion and love. An aging donkey no longer able to grow a warm winter coat, Ruby faces her last days in icy misery. But the donkey's woodland pals literally give of themselves to weave Ruby a warm, colorful coat. To boot, her newly stylish appearance earns her a starring role in the Christmas pageant. Chipper animals rendered in soft, earth-toned watercolors, brighten the stark snowy landscape. Publisher's Weekly

Here is the hardcover edition:

This book is from 1980 and so it is long out of print. I picked up a copy at a charity book sale in 2019 for just AUS$1. I have seen a new first edition copy of Ruby the Christmas Donkey is for sale for US$65. I haven't been able to find out very much about the illustrator Christina Gascoigne except that she and Mirabel Cecil were neighbors in Norfolk UK. Mirabel Cecil died aged 80 in 2024.  Here is another of their books: 

Here in Australia it is the end of the school year and many school libraries take the opportunity to 'weed' or cull their book collections. Of course, this is necessary, but I would hope that the staff especially the teacher-librarians involved in this process might take the time to read the picture books they think need culling. A tiny insignificant book like this could easily be culled but that should not happen. This is a sweetly emotional story about kindness, empathy and Christmas with soft colour pencil illustrations. I do hope you can find a copy in your local or school library and while it might be too late this year perhaps you can share it next Christmas.

Bear Came Along by Richard T Morris illustrated by LeUyen Pham

This story says: Take a chance. Hop on board. Work together. Trust each other. 

Share the adventure! Author note from Richard T Morris

Illustrator note: "While painting this book I spent a lot of time thinking about why people become divided from one another and forget that they all live on the same earth. It takes a small thing, like animals in a forest falling into a river, to realise this. We sink or swim together. And sometime we take a tumble and things turn out all right."

Publisher blurb: Once there was a river flowing through a forest. The river didn't know it was capable of adventures until a big bear came along. But adventures aren't any fun by yourself, and so enters Froggy, Turtles, Beaver, Racoons, and Duck.  These very different animals take off downstream, but they didn't know they needed one another until thankfully, the river came along. This hilarious picture book and heartfelt message celebrates the joy and fun that's in store when you embark together on a ride of a lifetime.

This book begs to be read aloud to very young children who I am sure will join in with the repeated buzz word "until". Then you could read this book at a different time to a group of older students who might like to discuss difference and inclusion. Here are some teaching ideas. 

A succession of forest creatures—and even the river itself—learn from one another and validate their relationships with both one another and the wider world. ... There are several hilarious double-page spreads, including one from the animals’ collective perspective, showing solely the various feet on the tree-trunk–cum-raft at the waterfall’s edge, and one requiring a 90-degree turn, showing the plummeting animals as they reach for one another—some looking worried and others, like Duck and Beaver, obviously enjoying the sudden drop. To quote one particularly joyous double-page spread, “Oh, what a ride!” Kirkus Star review

LeUyen Pham is the illustrator of the Princess in Black children's book series. she was awarded a Caldecott Honor for her illustrations in the book Bear Came Along. Here is a video of LeUyen Pham reading Bear Came Along. AND she begins by sharing her wonderful end papers! 

I previously talked about this book:

The Bear who wasn't there

One Snowy Night by Nick Butterworth

"One winter's night it was so cold it began to snow. ... He made himself some hot cocoa and got ready for bed. Suddenly, Percy heard a tapping sound. There was somebody at the door."

On the doorstep Percy, the Park Keeper, finds a very cold and miserable squirrel. Naturally Percy invites him to come inside. Just as they settle down, though, there is another knock at the door. 

Very young children respond well to patterns in stories. I am sure you have anticipated both the pattern here and the dilemma as more and more of the park animals arrive to shelter with Percy. 

"The animals pushed and shoved and rolled around the bed, but there was just not enough room for all of them."

Luckily there is one more visitor - the mole emerges from under the floor - but I bet you can't guess how he 'solves' the problem.

One Snowy Night was first published in 1989. My copy from a recent charity book sale is a 2019 reprint. Here are some other books by Nick Butterworth about Percy. I think there are more than 30 altogether including board books, activity books, individual picture books and bind-up versions. In this video Nick Butterworth reads After the Storm:

The Snow Knows by Jennifer McGrath illustrated by Josée Bisaillon

The snow knows

Where the rabbit goes

The snow knows

Where the pheasant sleeps ...

The snow knows where the porcupine ponders

and where the weasel bounds up and down.

Australian children who read this book will encounter lots of unfamiliar animals - and that is one of the joys of this simple tale. Each page also works like a game of hide and seek where your young reading companion can see a small visual hint of the creature on the next page. Lynx, otter, fox, partridge and coyote. I especially love the trees in the illustrations which I think might be larch. This is a perfect book to share on a cold winter day (even though here in Sydney we do not have snow!)

See more illustrations here

Here is the website for the illustrator Josée Bisaillon.  The Snow Knows is the winner of the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. I was excited to see many previous winners have been featured here on my blog. I have put a few at the bottom of this post. 

This is a Canadian picture book published in 2016. It is a title from our Premier's Reading Challenge K-2 list [603347]. This book also contains examples of alliteration and onomatopoeia.

A beautiful book, destined to be a perennial winter favourite, and read aloud by a crackling fire. CBC

Previous winners of the Marilyn Baillie Picture book award from this blog. Pop any title into my search bar for more details. 

Somewhere for Little Bear by Britta Teckentrup

Publisher blurb: Little Bear lives happily in his cozy cave deep in the woods. He loves picking berries in the day, listening to the birds sing under his favourite tree in the evenings, and curling up comfily on his soft leaves to sleep each night. But when Bear wakes up one morning to find his beloved forest ablaze, he must make a quick escape, away from his cozy cave, friendly faces and the comforts he knows. He walks and walks in search of somewhere new to call home but finds he's not welcome in the places that look most familiar to him. Feeling hopeless and alone, Little Bear must journey even further into the unknown. And only in the most unfamiliar of places, does the kindness of new animal friends lead Little Bear to discover the true meaning of home . . .

"I must be brave ... I must find somewhere new to call home."

But there are rabbits in the burrow, a family of foxes under the leaves behind the log; and some delicious berries but oh no a wild boar has claimed them. Little Bear walks and walks and eventually he reaches a different forest - a place where he is made welcome - a new home at last. 

This is a book you could share with a preschool group or sitting beside your own young reading companion. The illustrations are so special, and the story demonstrates the power of kindness. 

If your library budget allows, I highly recommend adding books illustrated and by Britta Teckentrup to your collection. Her name is a label on this post - if you click that link you will see lots of her other books that I have featured here on this blog. 

Here in Australia our Grade 4 students have a unit of work about bushfires as part of their Geography studies. I have a Pinterest with other books that explore this natural disaster and its impact on our Australian bush and animals.

Here is another book about little bear:

It’s cold in the woods, and it’s time for Little Bear to start his winter sleep. But not before he says good night to all of his special forest friends—badger, deer, rabbit, mouse, fox, owl, squirrel, and wolf. Now Little Bear can happily fall asleep in his warm and cozy den all snuggled up to his mother . . . knowing that his friends will watch out for him during his long winter’s sleep.

Fox series by Corey R Tabor

 

More than three years ago I talked about Fox the Tiger. A few weeks ago, I borrowed three more books from this series - Fox is Late, Fox has a Problem, and Fox at Night from the library I visit each week.

Young children who are just starting to gain reading confidence NEED books like these. They are fun and funny, visually very appealing, short, and each of them contain a satisfying story. In the classroom children encounter 'readers' but these are often dry, contrived and many contain uninspiring illustrations. Teachers and parents do share wonderful picture books with children, but I hope you can also look for these slim books which are the next step on your child's reading journey. Keep reading picture books of course but grab some of these too so your child can experience the joy of reading independently and hopefully also discover, even very simple books like these, can contain delightful stories. Here in Australia you need to hunt out the paperback editions of these books which cost around AUS$12+. The hardcovers are far too expensive for school or local libraries to consider. 

Here are the web pages for Corey R Tabor.  Here is an interview with Corey R Tabor. Take a look at another book by Corey R Tabor - Mel Fell. A new book from the Fox series will be released in 2024.

Fox is late (2018) - themes - surprises, skateboarding, rushing, sharing. Why is Fox in such a rush? He seems to be so unkind to his forest friends. Is there a way all of this crazy behaviour can end happily?

Fox at Night (2021) Winner 2022 Theodore Seuss Geisel award. Themes - night, fear, and perception. Fox can hear monsters in the night but his forest friends take his hand and show him things are not as scary as he imagines until the last page when he does meet a very surprising 'monster'. I would pair this book with:

Fox has a Problem (2023) - themes - problem solving, actions and consequences, and team work. How can Fox get all of his kites out of the tree?

This comical early reader, expressed in understated sentences and simple vocabulary on nearly every page, will charm youngsters; they’ll giggle at Fox’s outlandish “big ideas” and the havoc they wreak. Onomatopoeic sound words heighten the fun. Caldecott Honoree Tabor’s wry illustrations, rendered in pencil, colored pencil, and watercolor and assembled digitally, are muted, set against uncluttered backgrounds, allowing kids to focus on the characters and the humorous proceedings. Kirkus

The Beasts of Grimheart by Kieran Larwood illustrated by David Wyatt

When I saw this book, number 3, from the Five Realms series in a brand new book shop here in Sydney (Three Sparrows) I was excited to buy it. I adored The Legend of Podkin one ear when I read it in 2018 and a short time later I read the second book - The Gift of Dark Hollow.  

All through this third book I kept hoping this would be the final book in the series. Of course it cannot be the final instalment because there are Five Realms and twelve gifts of the Goddess. Today I finished The Beasts of Grimheart which ends with a huge battle and then I dared to look and see if there are more books. Yes there are - here is a list and I just read that there will eventually be nine books in total. Oddly though Kirkus (this review does contain a spoiler) also thought this book was the final one. 

Here's the list so far:

• The Legend of Podkin One-Ear (2016)
• The Gift of Dark Hollow (2017)
• The Beasts of Grimheart (2018)
• Uki and the Outcasts (2019)
• Uki and the Swamp Spirit (2020)
• Uki and the Ghostburrow (2021)
• Podkin and the Singing Spear (2023)

I had not looked at the back of The Beasts of Grimheart prior to reading The Beasts of Grimheart and so I was pleased to discover Kieran Larwood has provided readers with a character list and a list of the twelve gifts.  I do wish I had seen the character list before I read The Beasts of Grimheart because it is now five years since I read the first book and I have really lost track of many of the important but more minor characters.

In this third book, the Grom have made a huge machine and it is destroying the forest which is home to all the different groups of rabbits. 

"At the front of their line, half hidden by the forest itself, were ten contraptions built from the same rusted, jagged iron as the Gorm's armour. Like some kind of hellish insects, they had an array of blades, spinning teeth and crushing jaws at the front. At the back they had a massive wheel, taller than five rabbits, which spun steadily round powering the cutting equipment before them. ... The blades torn through trunks and roots, iron mandibles crushed and chomped branches into pieces, and teeth crunched wood into splinters. ... the devastation was awful."

Podkin along with his sister Paz and little brother Pook have been collecting the gifts of the goddess. Even though they are children it seems that their destiny is to defeat Scramashank the Gorm Lord and thus stop the terrible destruction of their precious forest. Of course this is not going to be easy. There will be battles, the constant threat of danger, betrayal by someone who they thought was a friend, and sadly the death of a loved member of the Dark Hollow Warren. 

As with the first instalment this book has a parallel story where the bard is actually telling the tale. I won't spoil this but the identity of the bard is sure to both surprise and delight you. Meanwhile, though, the bard has to really tell the best story of his life because if he doesn't do this the bonedancers will take his life.

"We wish to hear this story that has earned you a contract on your life. You will tell it to use as exactly as you told it to the Golden Brook rabbits. We will judge whether it is offensive enough for you to die, and it the Goddess Nixha demands it, then die you shall."

And there is an extra threat:

'Bonedancers have to kill something every day ... it's part of their tradition. They carry pouches of bugs around with them, so it doesn't always have to be a rabbit.'

Bookseller blurb: The bard is captured by the bonedancers and taken to their temple where he has to retell the tale that earned him a contract on his life. The story of Podkin continues . . . The Gorm have started to attack the forest, trying to flush out the Darkhollow rabbits. Podkin and the others leave for Sparrowfast warren, on the other side of the forest, to ask his uncle for help and for the use of his magic bow (one of the 12 Gifts). As they make their way through the forest, Vetch turns traitor and tries to seize the Gifts Podkin and Paz own for his masters, the Gorm. The young rabbits flee into the forest depths, where they discover a lost tribe of rabbits and a another of the sacred Gifts - a crown which lets the wearer speak to animals. With their new allies, Podkin, Paz and Pook emerge, meeting up with the others at Silver Rock warren. His uncle and the Sparrowfast rabbits are already there, as the Gorm have marched round the forest edge and taken their warren. When the two sides meet in battle, who will win? And will the bonedancers let the bard live?

Here is the web site of the illustrator David Wyatt.

You do need to read the five Realms books in order so you can follow all the twists and turns of plot and character connections. Fans of the Redwall series by Brian Jacques will adore these books. OR if you and your young reading companion love The Five Realms be sure to hunt out Redwall. There are 22 books in that series.

Yours in Books by Julie Falatko illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo

Owl is not enjoying all the noise near his tree. He wants peace and quiet. A bookshop flyer arrives in his hollow and he decides to contact the book seller and purchase a book. So begins a series of very funny letters between Owl J Fencepost and B. Squirrel of Pine: A Bookshop.

"I received your marvellous catalogue in the mail and spent many long hours reading the descriptions of all the books. Enclosed is my order form for How to soundproof your Forest Dwelling so that I might read in peace, alone."

Unfortunately B. Squirrel replies that this book is out of stock so Owl tries asking for a different one and so the correspondence continues.

Here is a list of the books he requests - these will give you a good insight into his life of noise and disruptions. 

Owl - The-can-do-guide to moving to a Remote Tropical Island

Squirrel sends - Yes you do want to live in the Woods: Why life in the trees is the bees knees

Owl - How to build a very tall fence

Squirrel sends - The big Woods book of Cooking and Baking

Owl - The Busy Owl's guide to food that will not entice neighbour children to stop by Uninvited

Squirrel sends - 50 fanciful Biscuits and Cakes

Owl - Disguises to make owls look boring, invisible or somewhat menacing

Squirrel sends - Crafts children can do while you nap on the couch and later The Art of the Tea Party

Perhaps this final or almost final book will help you anticipate the happy ending. And yes there is a party and the promise a wonderful new friendship.

How exciting to see this book was given a Kirkus Star review:

This very funny sendup of epistolary novels combines understated text with hyperbolic yet charming art. Distinctive voices and a large format make it perfect for reading aloud.

Full of friendship, letters, books and baking. What a treat! Waking Brain Cells

I was walking through a small market this morning when I spied the second hand book seller. He always has a small, but interesting, collection of children's books and heaps of adult novels. I flicked through his picture books and found two great books (plus four by Bob Graham which I already own) so for just $4 each I picked up this book - Yours in Books and a copy of Where's Julius which is in better condition than the one I already own - so it's out with the old and in with the new.

Yours in Books was published in 2021 and I am pleased to see it is still in print and for a good price. It has a dust jacket and a different image is revealed underneath (a book feature I adore). It looks like a brown paper parcel tied with string and with a terrific stamp. The end papers are perfect and your young reading companion will enjoy finding the snail (snail mail) post man on nearly every page.

Here are some other books illustrated by Gabriel Alborozo:

You can see other books by Julie Falatko on her website. Julie lives in Maine which is a place I long to visit some day.