Ted and his big sister Nancy live in the city. They are a pair of young foxes who have adapted to urban life. They know how to scavenge in the garbage bins scattered around the neighbourhood especially bins outside restaurants which are often filled with tasty treats. In particular they enjoy the delicious offerings found in the bins behind Speedy Chicken. Other city animals find food here too but an understanding has developed between them.
"There are three bins.The foxes eat out of the blue one, the cats have the green one and the rats, pigeons, mice and everyone else have the red one."
BUT on the day we join the story so does Princess Buttons. She has lived a life of luxury but now her owner is dead and she has joined the street cats. Princess Buttons is a force of nature. She does not share - she does not share with anyone. She gathers a gang and declares they will take over all of the bins.
Ted is a young fox. He looks to his big sister for care and advise because, for reasons that are never explained, their parents have disappeared. Nancy tells Ted to stay away from Princess Buttons but one day Nancy goes off to meet some of her friends. Ted feels lonely and hungry. He checks carefully before jumping onto a bin at the Speedy Chicken. He sees a great big juicy hot dog dripping with ketchup and mustard inside a yummy soft bun. He sinks his teeth into the deliciousness only to discover he has bitten off Princess Button's tail.
Now the chase is on. Ted and Nancy are forced to run. To leave the city. To find a new place to live. They race off into the forest - to Grimwood. The good news is this place is far from Grim although there are dangers and of course Princess Button wants her revenge!
There are lots of funny little 'human' touches in this story. Nancy cannot get any reception on her mobile phone. Nancy has a coffee addiction but luckily Titus, mayor of Grimwood, has a supply in his campervan. I should mention Titus is a stag. Other characters include a wise owl, a millionaire duck, an utterly crazy eagle, a young rabbit called Willow (good friend to Ted) and other assorted forest animals including hundreds of squirrels who like to play a wild game called treebonk. I should also mention Eric Dynamite. He is an opinionated, brash and very funny woodlouse who jumps into the story at regular intervals with his own astute comments and wise cracking commentary.
Here is a page from the book to give you an idea of the print size, format, and cartoon style illustrations.
This is one of those clever, funny books that is sure to appeal to young readers (aged 8+). I highly recommend you add it to your shopping list. One reviewer used the words subversive humour to describe this book and I totally agree. This book is brand new. It was published just five days ago! Huge thanks to Beachside Bookshop for my advance copy. The tone reminded me of The Clumsies make a Mess, Timmy Failure, Olive of Groves, Appleblossom the Possum, the Pip Street series and Diva and Flea. For slightly older readers I also recommend Mr and Mrs Bunny: Detectives extraordinaire.
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