Frost

Wintry Tales #7

by Holly Webb

The neighbours all complain about the foxes hanging around the flat where Cassie lives, close to the river Thames, but Cassie thinks they’re beautiful. Her favourite is a small fox with a white tail-tip, who she names Frost. One night she catches sight of him out in the snow, looking cold and thin, and decides to sneak him some food. But Frost seems to want her to follow him. As he leads Cassie towards the river she feels the world change around her and finds herself in the back in the 17th century – at the time of the Frost Fair on the frozen Thames. At first she is thrilled by the sights and sounds of the famous fair, then she glimpses a fox with a white tail-tip. It appears that Frost wants her to follow him again. Can she find a way to return the fox to his countryside home?

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Christmas, Childrens, Animals, Time Travel, Magical Realism

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Holly Webb is one of Britain's best-loved children's writers. She has written over a hundred books for children, and her work has been translated into over thirty languages. Holly lives in Tilehurst, just outside of Reading, Berkshire, with her husband, three children and several cats.

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of a winter animals series by a prolific children’s author, this combines historical fiction and fantasy in an utterly charming way. Cassie is a middle child who always feels left out of her big brother’s games, but befriending a fox who lives on some scrubby ground near her London flat gives her a chance for adventures of her own. She names the fox cub Frost and regularly feeds her. One winter night, Frost leads Cassie down the road – and back in time to the Frost Fair of 1683 on the frozen Thames. I rarely read middle-grade fiction, but this was well worth making an exception for. It’s probably intended for ages eight to 12, yet I enjoyed it as a 36-year-old childless woman. My library copy smelled like strawberry lip gloss, which was somehow just right.

[Johnny Macpherson Laidlaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good story about a girl and her unlikely friendship with a fox cub, stunning storyline and a fantastic read

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a truly lovely and adorable book. I'll definitely be picking up other books by this author and re-reading this around christmas!

[Jess Frost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuinely just an adorable book to read

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is set around a little girl called Cassie who finds some foxes near her block of flats. She thinks they are beautiful especially one who she named Frost because of it striking white tipped tail. She keeps her friendship with Frost a secret knowing her mum and dad wouldn’t approve. One snowy night however Frost leads her into the streets of London but into another time where the Thames has frozen in 1683. What follows is a magical story following Cassie and Frost through a magical historical journey. Will Cassie make it back to her own time …..

This book was a free book after I won it in a Toppsta competition.

I loved the story and the magic of it all set in two time zones present time and 1683.

Cassies love for the fox Frost is lovely and the fact she keeps it a secret is lovely too. Any child who loves an animal story will love this, any parent who reads this to their child will love it too.

Holly Webb gets across the message of friendship really well and the research of London in the past is fabulous.

The story makes a wonderful winter/ Christmas read too.

My daughter used to read Holly Webb stories when she was younger so it was a pleasure to revisit a story of hers in my fifties.

The illustrations were very complimentary to the story and added atmosphere.

All in all a simply wonderful children’s story highly recommend reading this a class story in school too.

[Caithlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book with my five year old, who absolutely loved it. It’s a very gentle introduction to time travel.

The little girl in the story, Cassie, befriends a fox on her London estate and is compelled to follow her, against her parents wishes and in the snow when not dressed for the weather. This bit did bemuse my pragmatic daughter, but the time travel aspect itself is well done. The little girl meets her own family when they go back in time and her memories fade so that she feels part of the time period and is not traumatised for the duration of the story! When her time travel antics are over she simply feels compelled to follow the fox once more.

Also a very honest look at how recent circumstance affect mood and behaviour. An older character in the story is introduced as a grouch who dislikes Cassie befriending and feeding the foxes on the estate. Her character arc very quickly becomes that of ally.

Finished within a week with my five year old.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really sweet short story about Cassie who discovers a family of foxes next to her flats she is mesmerized by them and how majestic they are - especially one with a silver tipped tale she names Frost. This is a heartfelt story that travels through time and explores their friendship. Frost shows her the past and their friendship is beautiful. I think any child who loves animals would love this and it would be a perfect book for this winter time of year. The illustrations were fantastic too.


Thankyou Barrington Stoke for the review copy.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delightful read. My class were torn between this book and and one other when deciding on a class story. We were so pleased that this one became the winner. The relationship between Frost and Cassie, that Holly Webb builds and describes had a profound impact on a lot of the children. They were absolutely enthralled about Frost and were desperate to know more about her and the breathtaking world of the First Fair which Holly Webb describes so beautifully. Without a doubt, this is the favourite out of all class reads we have had so far this year.

[Victoria Marks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with Ophelia- quite wordy for a kids book but we loved the story of Cassie who has a time slip adventure with Frost the Fox and with a nice little twist at the end. Beautifully illustrated too. Thumbs up from us.

[Amy Heap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cassie feeds some fox cubs behind her flats in London, though the adults tell her not to. One night, she follows her favourite fox, and finds herself at the Frost Fair on the Thames, in the 17th century. Its a sweet, very simple tale about kindness and a little magic.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmm I’m not sure what to make of this book. It could be a 2*, could be a 3*, I’m really not sure. Articulating any thoughts on Frost is going to be a challenge.

It was a sweet book and I think child me would have loved it. I just found it didn’t have much of a plot really and came to a very sudden stop. I don’t often say this but a couple more pages at the end may have been beneficial.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided to pick this book up as it had been on our bookshelf for a while untouched by my kids. A great and magical story for young readers. Holly Webb shines a light on connections humans and animals can make. I hope my kids will read this one!

[Anne-Lise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coup de cœur!

[Vicky young · Rating 1 out of 5]

Never read this book but what age would u recommend it?

[Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful story, wonderfully written.

[Heath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book that I picked up for the cover but it was a great read, especially with the glimpse into another world.

Plus foxes 🦊 Nuff said!

[Hortensja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Szczerze była po prostu Ok, nic szczególnego czy polecam? Tak ale dla dzieci w wieku 6+ dość nudna i właściwie mi się ciągnęła 👎

[Violet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing really happens

[Rebecca Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

7 year old daughter liked it.

[Toby Chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slightly weird book, but liked the fox in it

[Yoanna Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Изключително трогарелна и мила история! Това е първата книга на авторката ,която чета и съм приятно изненадана!

[Chantelle Jane Fillier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing but a bit sad and confusing 😕

[Елена Балканджийска · Rating 5 out of 5]

Вълшебна

[Aidan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good story!