Abominables

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

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 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.

Brilliant

Good story for children