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Podkin One-Ear: Longburrow, Book 1
Common Sense says
- Kieran Larwood
- Fantasy
- 2017
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Kieran Larwood's Podkin One-Ear is the exciting first book of a planned two-volume series about the heroic struggles of young rabbits trying to protect themselves and their loved ones against the Gorm: monstrous, zombie-like robot rabbits that have already killed the young ones' father. As such, it may be too intense for some readers, but there's a lot to love about this tale of a spoiled young rabbit changing his ways and becoming a hero, losing an ear in the process -- as told to enthralled rabbit children by a mead-swilling, long-eared bard one winter holiday. Sleeping potions play a role, both for medical purposes and for tricking an enemy; there's a bit of dice-rolling for survival money; young Podkin fights some battles and slays some monsters. Strong messages of family, courage, and looking out for one another, as well as working hard to make things better.
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What's the story?
It's Bramblemas, and clamoring rabbit children pester the newly arrived bard for the tale of PODKIN ONE-EAR, a legendary hero from long ago. Swilling mead as he goes, the old storyteller obliges. It all starts on just such a night when 8-year-old and still two-eared Podkin, spoiled and lazy heir to a rabbit chieftain, his hardworking sister Paz, a year older but unable to be chieftain because she's a girl, and their baby brother Pook are watching the adults party when their world changes forever. Zombie-like robot rabbits invade the celebration, kill the kids' father, and send them running for their lives. Over the course of many dangers and challenges, Podkin develops from brat to hero and enlists new allies as he tries to save his mom and the other rabbits from an awful fate. And maybe save the world.
Is it any good?
Young rabbit heroes shine in this series debut that delivers lots of excitement, humor, and life lessons as it pits them against zombie-like robot rabbits. British author Kieran Larwood's lively storytelling and illustrator David Wyatt's detailed black-and-white drawings build a rich, inviting world where the monsters are scary enough to be exciting -- but manageable, since they're part of a cozy storytelling session many years later. A satisfying conclusion leaves plenty to tell in the second book.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about how the animal characters have lives and struggles that seem a lot like human ones in Podkin One-Ear. Do you like animal fantasies like this, or do you prefer more realistic animal stories?
What do you think about Podkin's sister not being allowed to be chieftain because she's a girl? Is that fair? Do you know anybody who's been prevented from doing something they're good at because of some rule like this? How did they deal with it?
Have any of your family members had adventures in the past that you think would be a good story? What happened?
Book details
- Author: Kieran Larwood
- Illustrator: David Wyatt
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Adventures, Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Clarion
- Publication date: September 5, 2017
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 10 - 12
- Number of pages: 256
- Available on: Nook, Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
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