The Abominables: 1 Paperback – 7 Jan. 2021

This story aimed at little people tells of a very proper English lady who goes to live with a family of Yetis high in the Himalayas. These apparently fierce animals turn out to have all the real human virtues, kindness, a love of nature and the environment added to which are the very proper English virtues involving handkerchiefs, teacups, grooming and manners. When the explotation of Everest threatens the Yetis home the now elderly lady decides to send them to her estate in England for their protection. After an interesting trek the abominables arrive at their new home only to find it has been rented to a club trophy hunters. They are shipped off to the Antarctic where the hunters intend to stalk and kill them. Thanks to the good work of the children of England. They are saved.It is a wonderful tale with just the right amount of instruction about environmental issues and lessons about making assumptions about the animals you might meet.

Like many other readers, my 9 year old son and I were DELIGHTED to learn that one last manuscript had been found in the late Eva Ibbotson's papers. As always, this book is a sheer delight. She manages (managed) to be exciting, funny, and moving, and all with an abundance of good heart. Her books have a strong moral message but are never 'preachy'. My son (who bought it instantly with his own money) devoured it straightaway, and passed it on to me for an equally enthusiastic read. Anyone out there who hasn't tried her, do! She is an amazing writer and we are more than sad that this really will be the last book by her. (Incidentally, her older children's books, e.g. "Star of Kazan", are also brilliant, and so are our adult novels.)

This is a beautiful story, following a cleverly designed arc taking us on, what turns out to be, quite a traditional fairy tale journey there and back again. Immediately two of the great Thou Shall Nots of fiction for children are totally ignored and we don't mind at all. Firstly, this is very much tell not show, second, we've got talking mystical creatures, both definite no-no's if you read advice about writing for children. But Ibbotsen is a master and this rule-breaking works very well when you're as good as she is.The Abominables of the title are Yetis, undiscovered in the Himalayas for centuries. A British adventurer, Lord Farlingham, rather worryingly takes his young daughter Agatha, on an expedition to Tibet towards the end of the 19th century. In the opening chapter she's kidnapped from her tent and whilst the abominable snowmen that have taken her do not force her to stay, she elects to stay and care for them. She is wonderfully English and eccentric, teaching them manners and to say grace. The Yetis are gentle creatures, green to the core, apologising to any food they end up eating. Perfect read out loud material for parents, after decades of living happily ever after Agatha dies and the Yetis have to be moved from their idyllic home-land because humans are encroaching on their land. Two brave children hatch a plot to move the Abominables across Europe to the Farlingham family Mansion back in good old blighty.On the way the Yetis see the horror of the human world, particularly how we treat other animals and they do a fair bit of rescuing, saving animals from an evil Sultan, rescuing a majestic bull from a bull-ring as well as restoring the reputation of a pack of down-at-heel St Bernard dogs. The story resonates with warmth, humour and fun, but like all good fairy stories there's a deeper, darker message. In a beautiful, but never over-stated volte face it's clear by the end of the tale that it is the humans who are the Abominables, the Yetis, along with theWonderful illustrations by Sharon Renttahero children, avatars of our better selves.I really wish I'd discovered this before my children were too old to read it to, gorgeous fun story with a great moral sting in its tale.**** Four stars

Amazing story. Kids and myself are truly enjoying it

I bought this as my two children aged 10 (girl) and 8 (boy) were growing out of bedtime stories (Harry Potter, not picture books). I read it out loud to them, and they were absolutely gripped. There were many cries of "just another chapter" and I wholeheartedly enjoyed reading it. Like many great books, it's a bit of a rollercoaster emotionally - sad, tense, funny - but the reader is left with a warm feeling at the end. Highly recommended.

Recommended for upper key stage 2 as a good reading text for guided reading lessons. Lots of work for vocabulary and inference

Wonderful story, very well written and engaging. I enjoyed it and couldn't wsit to read it to my children at bedtime. I've bought it as a birthday present for other six year olds.

Wow! What a story. You think that you've had enough excitement and then there's another adventure. Covers so many contentious issues. A really great story, fab humour and lovely illustrations.

I’m quite a bit older than a child, but this was a wonderful book for all ages ! Highly recommend

Tolles Kinderbuch. Sehr liebevoll geschrieben. Wundervolle Zeichnungen. Aber auch ich als Erwachsene habe das Buch sehr genossen. Etwas wehmütig zwar, weil es eines der letzten Bücher von Eva Ibbotson ist, aber um so schöner das Ergebnis.Das Buch lohnt sich zum Vorlesen oder selber lesen. Für alle die gerne Kinderbücher lesen nur zu empfehlen.

How I love Eva Ibbotson's books! All the characters come to life as you turn the pages. I couldn't put this book down.

Too many christian references.