Foxy and Cinders

The unlikely friendship between a small Fox and a baby Dragon who go on adventures together and save the natural world. A read aloud story for 7 - 9 year olds. Foxy, a lonely young fox and Cinders, a 'fruitarian' baby dragon meet in a patch of purple Scotc thistles and become best friends. Foxy sets up his den in a cemetery where they meet a recently bereaved human boy, called Rob. As the dragon translates they all become firm friends and go on adventures of discovery together. Due to their natural kindness and love of life they unintentionally become a team of heroes and rescue those in trouble. There is a sense of peace and wellbeing in the stories and each closes with a satisfactory and happy ending. The love of nature is evident with a subtle thread of magic intertwining the adventures. This is a part of the world where magic creatures are assumed to have existed once and perhaps not all are gone entirely. Ancient traditions are still maintained, for example, berries are put out for the dragons from the caves in the distant hills. And a forest conservationist when meeting the dragon face to face, is surprised, thrilled even, but not at all confounded. The tone is respectful of animals, magical creatures and humans alike - as equals in the world. Set in Scotland.

Table of Contents:
Foxy and Cinders Foxy in Snow Cinders meets Boy Rob and Foxy Take Flight Foxy and Cinders - The Pirates Foxy and Cinders help Snowdrop Foxy and Cinders - Follow the River The Stray Dog Foxy and Cinders, Moving Home Foxy and Cinders, Goats as Neighbours Cinders needs the vet Gardeners in the Grounds Cinders is growing up! The Lost Girl The Girl on Wheels Message from the Bats The Caravan Holiday The golden Shell

About the Author :
Siusaidh Ceanadach is a Wiccan High Priestess who has previously run a coven, now a Development Circle. She is co-ordinator for "The Tuatha De Bridget", an open Druidcraft Group in Glasgow, Scotland, UK. She has been a recognized Legal Celebrant with The Pagan Federation in Scotland for many years and carries out hand-fastenings, rite of passage celebrations and is also presenter and host with East Dunbartonshire Radio, Scotland.

Review :
As a child, I was a voracious reader: I literally never had my nose out of a book and I read to my children from the earliest age. With my children being young adults now, I have friends' children to read to and it was to a 2 and 5-year old I read Foxy and Cinders. I never speak to children in the 'baby' tone that is so common and have often felt that children's books limit their vocabulary, or limit adventures to a moral high ground: not Foxy and Cinders. The language is clear and mature. There is plenty of scope to mimic the characters' voices theatrically, or for able children to read and enjoy it by themselves. There is a path - an arc in the book and yet each segment is a story within its own right - so you can return and continue from there, or come back another day to ask where Foxy will be going that day. It was also good to see themes that are not ordinarily represented in children's books, such as the graveyard scene. Dark touches like that have a hint of the Grimm Brothers - and yet Siusaidh softens this so that visiting Grandma at the graveyard, for instance, becomes natural instead of scary or bereft or life. There is a depth to her writing that touches on the spiritual and I appreciate that as it is so often overlooked. However, it is purity and innocence that our children teach us, so we need it included in their books. I love the mix of animals and people and it could be a metaphor for so many things, such as equality yet I never felt 'preached at'. Being born in the Year of the Dragon, I love dragons, so my only criticism would be that I thought the illustration of Cinders looked rather more like a cow. However, I will happily add this delight to the books I read to children. Glynis Wozniak Actor and Performer--Glynis Wozniak, Actor & Performer