Description
'As unforgettable as Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen" . . . a whirlingly imaginative storyline full of wonder and hope as well as warning.' - The Times
M. G. Leonard's story of a brave girl and her reindeer friend, who try to save her brother, is the perfect winter treat. The Ice Children is an exciting, modern, magical mystery adventure by the author of Beetle Boy, Adventures on Trains and the Twitchers series.
Gorgeous coloured endpapers, and black-and-white illustrations throughout by Penny Neville-Lee make this hardback a perfect read for the whole family.
At the stroke of midnight on the dawn of December, five-year-old Finn Albedo is found frozen on a pedestal of ice. His heart is beating, he is smiling, but no one can wake him.
Finn's big sister, Bianca, suspects that the tall mysterious stranger who first discovered Finn knows more than they will admit? Bianca's quest to discover the truth and rescue her little brother hurls her into a fantastical winter wonderland, full of beauty, danger and irresistible spirit animals, where all is not as it seems . . .
A modern fairytale adventure celebrating the magic and wonder of winter in all its forms.
About the Author
M.G. Leonard has made up stories since she was a girl, but back then adults called them lies or tall tales and she didn't write them down. As a grown up, her favourite things to create stories about are beetles, birds, and trains. Her books have been translated into over forty languages and won many awards. She is the vice president of the insect charity Buglife, and a founding author of Authors4Oceans. She lives in Brighton with her husband, two sons, a dog called Nell, and a variety of exotic beetles.
Penny Neville-Lee was raised on a healthy diet of Saturday cartoons and MGM musicals. Never happier than when creating, she spent her early years drawing and making and was rarely found without a doodle somewhere in the margins. Penny studied MA Painting at the Royal College of Art. After several years making large oil paintings of gloomy woods in the company of Radio 4 and some studio mice, she had her small son, shifted to the kitchen table and realised there might be something in those doodles after all. Penny is inspired by small people, bright colours, a blank page and newly sharpened pencils. She lives in Manchester with her two children, husband and very adventurous cat.
Reviews
This gripping adventure for 8+ is a sparkling, elegant homage to Andersen's 'The Snow Queen', with a powerful conservationist slant. * The Guardian *
Page-turning storytelling . . . I would have adored this as a child. I still do! * Hannah Gold *
Leonard is at her best in this this chilly adventure . . . Drawing on traditional tales such as The Snow Queen, this thrilling drama with a powerful environmental message is so shiveringly atmospheric that it will make you wish for snow * Daily Mail *
The Ice Children is written in her familiar quick-fire prose, and contains all the suspense that her readers have come to expect . . . Leonard's skill is to capture some of the enchantment of Andersen's fairy-tale, while creating a modern story that's thoroughly her own. * The Daily Telegraph *
Glittering adventure * The Independent *
The Ice Children bursts with winter magic. It is vivid and glorious - a classic filled with heart. -- Jasbinder Bilan
As intricate and beautiful as a snowflake. M. G. Leonard has spun a magical masterpiece that children will love. -- Maz Evans
Leonard's talent for writing exciting mystery stories, combing with the mesmerising danger of Hans Christian Andersen's original fairy tale, make this a compelling winter treat, full of jeopardy and excitement. There is a strong ecological message, too. -- Charlotte Eyre * The Bookseller *
Utterly Spellbinding -- Phil Earle
As unforgettable as Hans Christian Andersen's 'The Snow Queen' . . . a whirlingly imaginative storyline full of wonder and hope as well as warning. * The Times *
Leonard's quickfire prose creates a fairytale with a refreshingly modern feel * The Oldie *
A chip of the Andersen ice block . . . Revelling in the pleasures of snow and ice, and passionate about creatures associated with winter, this teaches us that love, nature and stories are powerful - and not to burn fossil fuels. -- Nicolette Jones * The Sunday Times Book of the Week *
As unique and precious as a snowflake, The Ice Children feels fresh and exciting, yet as timeless and magical as a classic. I have no doubt this book will be read and enjoyed for many generations to come - and may even help to change the world. -- Jess French
Ideal for curling up with on a frosty day * Woman's Weekly *
M. G. Leonard's dazzling adventure story upends the snowglobe of familiar fairytales into a blizzard of delights: courageous children, adorable animals, a chilling threat and a passionate plea for the environment. A spectacular frostbitten fantasy destined to emerge as a future classic. -- Sam Sedgman
The wintry setting, fairy tale inspiration and dynamic mystery story mean [The Ice Children] will make a wonderful gift. * The Bookseller *
I loved this! Weird and wonderful, packed full of peril and adventure, this wildly imaginative book is an absolute page-turner for both children and parents alike. A cracking and inspiring read written with real heart and passion. -- Liz Hyder
This book literally sparkles with winter magic. Like a snowflake, it is really one of a kind. * Mini Traveller blog *
The Ice Children by M.G. Leonard takes The Snow Queen . . . readers will mainly relish the sense of magic, the magical world and the talking animals that protect the children there. * Books for Keeps *
A perfect Christmas gift * Piers Torday *
The heart tugs echo those which give the Hans Christian Andersen classic its emotional helft - the fragility of childhood, the lurking danger of the dark adult world and the enormous power of love and faith. * The Big Issue *
The importance of protecting the planet is driven home in this reimagining of The Snow Queen . . . Revelling in the pleasures of snow and ice, and passionate about creatures associated with
winter, this teaches us that love, nature and stories are powerful - and not to burn fossil fuels.
Book Information
ISBN 9781035014217
Author M. G. Leonard
Format Hardback
Page Count 288
Imprint Macmillan Children's Books
Publisher Pan Macmillan
Weight(grams) 402g
Dimensions(mm) 224mm * 143mm * 31mm
