The Jamie and Angus Stories

Jamie and Angus #1

by Anne Fine, Penny Dale (Illustrator)

Jamie and Angus - an imaginative little boy and his treasured toy bull - spring to life in six delightful stories from Britain’s Children’s Laureate, Anne Fine - illustrated with warmth and charm by Penny Dale.

The moment Jamie sets eyes on Angus in the toy shop window, with his
silky white coat and forlorn gaze, he just knows they belong together. On Christmas morning the two are united at last, and the coveted Highland
Bull becomes Jamie’s constant companion - through an ill-fated run-in
with the washing machine, Uncle Edward’s nighttime jump-training sessions, a stay at the hospital for a stomachache, and three more thoroughly amusing adventures.

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Childrens, Chapter Books, Animals, Kids

112 pages, Hardcover

First published July 22, 2002

About the author

Though readers often find themselves inadvertently laughing aloud as they read Anne Fine's novels, as she herself admits, "a lot of my work, even for fairly young readers, raises serious social issues. Growing up is a long and confusing business. I try to show that the battle through the chaos is worthwhile and can, at times, be seen as very funny." In 1994, this unique combination of humour and realism inspired the hit movie MRS. DOUBTFIRE, based on Anne's novel MADAME DOUBTFIRE and starring the late comedic genius Robin Williams.

Anne is best known in her home country, England, as a writer principally for children, but over the years she has also written eight novels for adult readers. Seven of these she describes as black - or sour - comedies, and the first, THE KILLJOY, simply as "dead black". These novels have proved great favourites with reading groups, causing readers to squirm with mingled horror and delight as she peels away the layers in all too familiar family relationships, exposing the tangled threads and conflicts beneath. (It's perhaps not surprising that Anne has openly expressed astonishment at the fact that murder in the domestic setting is not even more common.)

Anne has written more than sixty books for children and young people. Amongst numerous other awards, she is twice winner of both the Carnegie Medal, Britain's most prestigious children's book award, and the Whitbread Award. Twice chosen as Children's Author of the Year in the British Book Awards, Anne Fine was also the first novelist to be honoured as Children's Laureate in the United Kingdom. In 2003, Anne became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and was awarded an OBE. Her work has been translated into forty five languages.

Anne Fine lives in the north of England and has two grown up daughters.

Reviews

[Guilherme Semionato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection exists. It is found here. Word after word just the most beautiful, textured, layered stories for very small children. Its tenderness is one of a kind.

[Jane]

This was interesting to me, because it stands outside the usual children's publishing genres. It looks like an early chapter book, but in content and tone is closer to a picture book and more suitable for a pre-reading pre-school audience. A good possibility for a child who likes longer picture books and is ready to listen for longer than an average picture book takes to read. I wonder if this book has found its ideal audience?

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just omg so sweet. A little bit like the youngest Ramona Quimby stories, but with more pictures and without the melodrama. I really want a stuffed highland bull of my own, too.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read only chapter one so far, and I'm impressed with the writing and the message. Here is a child who waits patiently for a gift he picked out months before Christmas. In the interim he paints, cuts, and glues paper towel tubes, fabric scraps, and popsicle sticks into a farm for his new toy. Hmm, guess I need to get a sewing basket if I dream of E and W crafting this way instead of buying the Fisher Price farm... ;)

Now that I've finished, I'm not as smitten, but still think it's pretty good. There was a female doctor (hurray!), but there was also a 6-day-long hospital stay for an unexplained stomachache (boo!). The dad is sort of grumpy and actually stomps the old stroller in a rage (boo, but it was funny for adults because the grandma then puts it on her front porch and displays it like a piece of modern art: "'Temper, temper' by Jamie's dad, rusty metal and webbing."

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, I loved this book. It's cozy and sweet and warm, both the stories and illustrations. And it's so British, I can't even. Reading this book is like wrapping yourself in a warm, well-worn blanket. Heaven.

Jamie is a sweet, endearing little boy and Angus is his faithful Highland Bull stuffed friend. Jamie's parents and Uncle Edward are loving, sweet, and fun, perfectly paired with our little hero.

Humorous and full of heart, these stories Jamie and his constant companion Angus will please both young, newly independent transitional readers and the adults who'd read this aloud to their children. Don't miss Jamie and Angus Together, either.

[Kit · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's rare to find such an utterly sweet book that at the same time gets totally into the head of a preschooler. This is actually a chapter book with black and white illustrations wonderfully conveying the personality of Jamie and (even more amazingly) his plushie Highland bull and best friend, Angus. Jamie's mom, dad, grandma and uncle come across as well-rounded characters, and Fine is expert at making Jamie and Angus' adventures compelling while still being realistic.

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This set of stories about the life and times of a boy and his toy highland cow are really rather splendid. Rather than just relying on story lines that would not occur in most households Angus (the cow!) is woven into the everyday life of Jamie's family. There are weddings, illness, a less than grown up uncle and disasters with the washing machine. What makes these stories seem so authentic is the dialogue. When Jamie's father says "how did you end up here Angus?" I can hear myself talking to the bears, fish and hippos that share our house! These are stories that are both believable and beautifully told.

These tales are drawn from real life, are exactly the right length for a bed time story and lack the overt commercialism that dominates so many children's books. They will delight most younger children who are starting to enjoy "chapter books". Highly Recommended.

[Sudaporn Obom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved Anne Fine's books, like "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Flour Babies" – they're some of my top picks. So when I came across "The Jamie and Angus Stories," I wasn't sure it could live up to her other books, but man, it totally did! I even told my partner this is the book I wanna read to our little ones when they're about 3 or 4, or starting to figure out the world. Jamie, the kid in the story, is everything I'd want in my kid: he's smart, super kind, has this wild imagination, and is just the right amount of cheeky. I absolutely adore him. And by the end, I kinda started to wonder... maybe Angus is actually real?

[Huyền · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's quite fun to read and relax. The book reminds me of my childhood, though I had no Angus. :D

[Ciara]

Low-level book. Great into to chapter books for younger students!

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

These are stories about a boy and his stuffed Highland Bull. The stories would be good for children 3-8 years old.

[neoji · Rating 5 out of 5]

it took me years to find this book again but just know this was the most memorable and impactful book i read as a child and that’s saying more than something.

[erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

cute stories about Jamie & Angus and their adventures.

[Hannah Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isaac and I both adored the sweet stories about a normal, little boy.

[Stephanie Godley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An all time favorite with my first son, now enjoying it again with my second. There is something so compelling about these stories. Magical writing.

[Micayla Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. I especially loved it as a kid. I love the descriptions and I must've read this book a hundred times. I used to try to copy the things Jamie does. Like building a farm out of cardboard and toilet paper rolls. I like how it describes Angus as if he's really alive. The part where Angus gets washed is relatable. I think I'd like the story at the hospital more if there were more consequences. I also learned some new words. Corrugated, tenterhooked, flumes. Also, the phrase black over Bill's mother's.

[Charlee Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a boy with a stuffed animal named Angus. I liked it because the boy made a house for the stuffed animal. I thought it was funny because his uncle sat in the doorway to put Jaime to bed. It was also funny because Jaime had to climb over Uncle Edward. I hope there is another story.

[Connie Gunderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly really super sweet and cute.

[Jana at ThatArtsyReaderGirl.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutest book ever! And SO British! I adored every word.

[Angelika]

Good bedtime read aloud for preschool age. Sweet stories about little boy and his stuffed animal.

[Maria Wyles · Rating 5 out of 5]

love it really sad to finish it and take it back to the library

[Manel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cool pour s'entraîner en anglais :)

[Betsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely sweet series. Great for 3-4 year olds.

[Phương Thanh · Rating 4 out of 5]

một trong những cuốn sách đáng yêu nhất của tuổi thơ tôi. ở đó, thế giới đồ chơi và tuổi thơ được mở ra đúng như những gì tôi hằng mong tưởng. giọng văn nhẹ nhàng có chút thơ ngây nhưng cũng rất nghịch ngợm, rất phù hợp với các bạn nhỏ. đồng thời, những mẩu chuyện nho nhỏ cũng giống như những viên sô cô la kem dâu xinh xinh mà bạn không thể cưỡng lại hết thòm thèm được.