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Little Fur #1

The Legend Begins

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Who is Little Fur? Why, she's a half elf, half troll, as tall as a three-year-old human child, with slanted green eyes, wild red hair that brambles about her pointed ears, and bare, broad, four-toed feet. Little Fur loves and tends to the Old Ones, the seven ancient trees that protect her home, a small, magical wilderness nestled magically in a park in the midst of a large, bustling human city. When she learns that evil forces are out to destroy her beloved trees, the intrepid halfling must embark on an ambitious and dangerous journey into the human world and down into an ancient cut in the earth, in search of a way to save not only the Old Ones, but the Earth Spirit itself. Geared to young middle-grade readers who are, like our troll heroine, still innocent and natural champions of our earth, Little Fur is an eco-fantasy as wise and fey as it is adventurous and suspenseful.

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

31 people are currently reading
575 people want to read

About the author

Isobelle Carmody

104 books1,738 followers
Isobelle Carmody began the first novel of her highly acclaimed Obernewtyn Chronicles while she was still in high school. The series has established her at the forefront of fantasy writing in Australia.

In addition to her young-adult novels, such as the Obernewtyn Chronicles and Alyzon Whitestarr, Isobelle's published works include several middle-grade fantasies. Her still-unfinished Gateway Trilogy has been favorably compared to The Wizard of Oz and the Chronicles of Narnia. The Little Fur quartet is an eco-fantasy starring a half-elf, half-troll heroine and is fully illustrated by the author herself.

Isobelle's most recent picture book, Magic Night, is a collaboration with illustrator Declan Lee. Originally published in Australia as The Wrong Thing, the book features an ordinary housecat who stumbles upon something otherworldly. Across all her writing, Isobelle shows a talent for balancing the mundane and the fantastic.

Isobelle was the guest of honor at the 2007 Australian National Science Fiction Convention. She has received numerous honors for her writing, including multiple Aurealis Awards and Children's Book Council of Australia Awards.

She currently divides her time between her home on the Great Ocean Road in Australia and her travels abroad with her partner and daughter.

Librarian's note: Penguin Australia is publishing the Obernewtyn Chronicles in six books, and The Stone Key is book five. In the United States and Canada this series is published by Random House in eight books; this Penguin Australia book is split into two parts and published as Wavesong (Book Five) and The Stone Key (Book Six).

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5 stars
266 (27%)
4 stars
284 (29%)
3 stars
296 (31%)
2 stars
76 (7%)
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32 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
Profile Image for Jess.
567 reviews25 followers
June 26, 2015
I picked this book up because it was beautiful, and finally read it after a few years of letting it beautify my shelf. It was a whimsical and sweet book with some sad and depressing elements... Like Wall-E, but with a little half-troll/half-elf creature instead of a robot, and set in modern times when things are being to deteriorate instead of the future when it's all gone to heck.

Likes: Well, it did remind me a bit of the Hobbit/LoTR. Little Fur is even referred to as a Halfling. Plus the very Ent-like being she encounters, that even asks her if she wants help making a ring. It made me wonder if an Elf married a Dwarf and their child survived to modern times, if he or she would be like Little Fur. The talking animals reminded me of Narnia, and the crow reminded me of Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIHM. So there was a lot of things in the book that reminded me of other books I liked, so it had a bit of a nostalgia thing going for it. Plus my copy of the book is a soft microfiber sort of binding, and the illustrations were lovely.

Dislikes: While it reminded me of a lot of other books I liked, it never really made me like IT on its own terms. Little Fur is sweet, and I loved seeing the human world through her and the animal's eyes, but she lacked a certain depth. Plus even in her positive encounters with humans, there was always a very negative aspect which rang all too true, but depressed me nevertheless. Like The Lorax.

So over all a cute and sweet story that helps me feel encouraged to keep getting my coworkers soda cans out of the garbage and putting it in recycling (seriously people it's literally five inches away, just, could you NOT not recycle your recyclables).
Profile Image for Lemurkat.
Author 13 books51 followers
August 12, 2013
A cute and quite charming adventure story about a little elf troll child who travels across a town to help save her trees from the "tree burners", with the help of some animal friends. It is a fairly simple story, without a great deal of tension, but the characterisation is splendid and the writing style eloquent and poetic. I imagine this would be a lovely story to read aloud.

I did wonder somewhat about the illustrations, however, which are done by the author. At the end of many chapters there was a pale little figure with pointed ears, looking somewhat like Little Fur, but distinctly more goblinish. Who was this character? Is this a story hidden within the story? Maybe the sequel will reveal more.
Profile Image for Anika Claire.
Author 3 books46 followers
July 26, 2012
Little Fur lives in a small patch of wilderness, surrounded by places where humans live. She tends to injured animals and helps the Old Ones keep the Earth Magic flowing. One day she hears about a terrible threat from humans to trees near her home, and she leaves on a quest to seek wisdom of how to stop these humans from destroying the trees.

As much as I may identify as an Isobelle Carmody fan, I’ll admit I had never heard of the Little Fur series until fairly recently, when I found them by accident while browsing the junior fiction shelves at the library. I was reminded again when I met Isobelle recently at a different library, when she talked about the creation of Little Fur with her daughter and the play with animal puppets. As I was reading the story, the character of Crow had Isobelle’s Crow-puppet voice for me after that!

This story is delightfully told, creating a sense of wonder about our everyday human world. It encourages us to care for our green spaces and respect the animals who live there. The style is simple enough for older children to read to themselves, and there are cute little illustrations by Isobelle herself throughout the book.

Even so, there are some fairly dark themes within the story and some scary moments. I’d suggest this book to be read aloud to children or at least encourage them to talk about what they’ve read.
This is the kind of book I would have loved to have read as a kid, but then, I loved FernGully and all the other eco-aware TV and film of the 90s. I disagree with some reviewers on Goodreads who say this book has too much of a “green” message – I think the story itself stands as brilliant fantasy for young readers, if a little dark for the very young.

If you and your children love stories with magic, talking creatures and important quests with non-stop adventure, make sure to read about Little Fur and her friends.
Profile Image for biblioceraptor.
245 reviews53 followers
June 2, 2013
I wanted so much to enjoy this because the cover was fury and it looked so pretty in hardback and because little elf trolls in the forest.

However, this novel was nothing like I expected. It tried too hard to teach children about protecting the environment, and sacrificed a plot for the sake of being the equivalent of an Environmentalist Bible-Thumper.

Like, it annoyed me so much that it made me want to set a forest on fire just to dance on the embers and laugh at the irony that trees were butchered to create the paper for this very book.
Profile Image for Cruth.
1,656 reviews146 followers
August 26, 2015
Author/Illustrator: Isobelle Carmody
First Published: 2005
Length: 195 pages

Some years ago at Adelaide Writer's Week the author gave a talk on writing and storytelling to some very young children and their parents. She spoke of the joys of wandering a city as large as New York and spinning fantastic tales to entertain herself and her little girl (also called Adelaide). Stories of dreams and fantasy, hope and love. Faith. Belief.

The stories of Little Fur.

A story of finding the wonder within a city.

Soft and gently pleasant. Little puzzles and a meandering narrative. Engaging and sweet. Momentarily gripping and suspenseful before easing back to little fantasies.

An uplifting tale with an HFN, a light conservation moral and an easy narrative.

It's A Good Book.

The Legend of Little Fur:
Book 1 Little Fur
Book 2 A Fox Called Sorrow
Book 3 A Mystery of Wolves
Book 4 Riddle of Green

Age:
Read aloud - 4+
Read yourself - 8+

References:
Author's website: http://www.isobellecarmody.net/little...
Author on w'pedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isobell...

(ISBN 9780143300724)

-CR-
Profile Image for Brian James.
Author 111 books226 followers
May 3, 2012
This is one of those books that I was really torn about. On one hand, as an adult, I found it fascinating. I really enjoyed seeing our world through the eyes of Little Fur and her friends. To make the everyday world feel new and strange is a difficult task that Carmody was able to pull off. I also thought the mythical elements of the story were intriguing. I loved 'The Old Ones' and the idea of this innocent creature being their protector. Little Fur as a character is well-formed and the bravery she discovers within herself along her journey is wonderful to see.

Then there's the other half of me that kept shaking my head as I read the book. The environmental message in the book comes off incredibly heavy-handed. That in itself didn't bother me because it played into the character's view of the world. The part that left me shaking my head was the complete disgust presented in the book toward humans in general. Granted, by the end, there was a very slight concession that perhaps not every human in the world was terrible and evil, yet it still left the impression that most were, or at least our lifestyle is. Again, as an adult, I'm not sure I would object too much to that point of view, but as a book for children, it struck as incredibly odd. I really wonder what kind of message it would send to an impressionable child, especially given that most readers are going to be suburban children living in the very kind of place described in the book...not to mention what a dog owner would think (given the way dogs are depicted as willing slaves of human evil).

An odd story with charm whose message goes a little over the top.
Profile Image for Jill Smith.
Author 6 books61 followers
June 26, 2023
Little Fur is a halfling - half Elf and half Troll. She lives in the last forest of seven ancient trees protected by the magic of the Old Ones.

Her friends are a Brownie, a little horse that visits her, and Crow. Little Fur heals sick animals and loves to sing to them to cure them. She feels the power of the Earth's magic in the trees and it flows through her from the soil.

Crow tells her that there are tree burners that are being hunted but not caught. Little Fur has never been out of the woodland away from her friends, but she must ask Sett Owl what she can do to help save the trees from being burned.

The journey is terrifying and Little Fur doesn't know if she can complete the task, but not only are the seven ancient trees in danger but all the trees of the world.

Will Little Fur go beyond the city? Travel past the place where humans bury their dead. Crossing long black roads, and facing road monsters. To find the valley where she must wake a slumbering ancient one who can save the world? She must try.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
9 reviews2 followers
March 10, 2011
Overall a cute book I think would be a fun bedtime read to kids. Where this book struggles, though, is in defining an appropriate age group. The story contains a very youthful narrative but an overly advanced vocabulary. Words like tisanes (p. 5), languidly (p. 38), indignation (p. 64), and implacably (p. 70) are out of place in this elementary-aged fairy tale. Unless your 7-year-old often comments about the surreptitiousness of the cat, get ready to do a lot of defining while reading this aloud.
Profile Image for Vojtěch.
866 reviews140 followers
December 24, 2017
Četlo se to dobře, bylo to milé, ilustrace byly boží. A přesto mi na tom nejvíc vadilo to, že se to (alespoň pro mě) tváří jako dost silná ekologická agitka. Chápu, že plno lidí to v tom neuvidí, ale úplně jsem viděl, jak z knihy čiší to přání, abych se zamyslel nad tím, jak žiju a co dělám spolu s dalšími přírodě.
Profile Image for Melanie Hetrick.
4,657 reviews51 followers
December 16, 2008
An awful attempt to write an environmental awareness book for children. The main character, Little Fur, is a tiny elf. Her purpose in the story is to try to save the trees in an ancient forest. However, the author's personal and political agenda overshadows the story.
Profile Image for Daniel.
225 reviews3 followers
October 11, 2019
Listened to the audiobook version of this, and it was read by Isobelle Carmody herself! She did a great job, and I really enjoyed listening to the story read by her. Was a nice story, despite it being targeted at a younger audience.
Profile Image for Jemma.
644 reviews21 followers
April 1, 2016
Egh. I read the first chapter and have no inclination to read any more.
It's one of those 'think with your heart and believe in faries' type of books.
I normaly like reading about faries, but not overly new-age sparkly ones.
Profile Image for Sorcha.
3 reviews1 follower
July 10, 2015
The little fur books are beautiful and full of heart.
Profile Image for Hanna Gray.
61 reviews1 follower
December 24, 2015
This book is nothing short of enchanting. It's a quick read and it's whimsical and happy.
Profile Image for Nicola.
581 reviews4 followers
October 25, 2015
What a wonderful story! Little Fur is delightful. Looking forward to reading the rest....
Profile Image for Bonnie Lambourn.
203 reviews38 followers
August 20, 2021
This is one of those rare books where I felt drawn in by the strong and sensitive main character and carried along with her on her quest, because of the personal internal and physical reactions expressed when she smelled certain creatures and things, or the dangers of not staying fully in touch with plants and earth.

There may be some flaws in the story for some readers in this age range, but I'd rather they learn new vocabulary by being swept into her personal tension and travails. I recall reading books beyond my age listing and doing this. Even if a mistake was made in pronunciation of a word I had not yet heard - I will always recall that momentary inner embarrassment upon realizing I not only read it a little wrong, but had inferred the wrong meaning for while. But that's what learning is - embedding new meanings. For me that word was melancholy and I had given it some connection to melodious - and forever onward there is a musical quality to the word for me, that this sad state of being is like hearing a beautiful yet sad cello piece.

Both my children learned to read beyond their offerings in school - on their own timelines - one early, one late, and that last thing I want to do is limit a child's words simply so they don't learn to ask questions or research or use a dictionary.

Okay, enough of that. I am probably responding more to a review I read of someone else.
For me this book is special, and has a magical quality to it.

However, if one is seeking a lighter book for slightly younger children, I'd advise = Teaflet and Roog Make a Messby Jeanne Birdsall.
One of the two main characters of similar character traits to Little Fur - it has easier vocabulary, still in a chapter book format with just a few picture. The problem is much simpler - though difficult for the little people in the book. More humor and not trying to do anything as big as saving the earth.

Back to Little Fur - the bit of artwork is endearing and initially is what drew me to see the book.
I'm wishing to read on, but so far none of the other books are in my library system - which surprised me.
Profile Image for Ruth Garlick.
179 reviews7 followers
November 23, 2019

Little Fur, the first book in the Legend of Little Fur series, by Isobelle Carmody, is a lovely and quaint story about an elf troll who lives in the wilderness surrounded by earth magic.
One day, she hears that there are humans who take pleasure in burning trees, and she fears for the safety of the natural world.
She goes on a journey, with Crow and two cats called Ginger and Sly, to seek advice from the Sett Owl, to stop the tree burners.
This book is such a soul-healer, and it’s so beautiful and full of Isobelle’s drawings. Another favourite from a wonderful author.
Profile Image for Brittany.
498 reviews
December 13, 2023
My Oma gave me this book when I was younger and it’s been sitting on my shelf since then waiting for me to pick it up. I liked Little Fur for the most part. The story had some whimsical, magical elements. I wished it had leaned more into that and less into an environmentalist journey through the city. I think I would have preferred reading about Little Fur in her magical forest. I’m wondering who the little goblin looking thing in the illustrations were that followed Little Fur throughout the story was. It was never revealed.
Profile Image for Laurie.
542 reviews16 followers
July 8, 2018
Oddly, this book wasn't as enchanting as the second one, A Fox Called Sorrow, was. I found it was less interesting and a lot more of a set-up for the rest of the series. It's probably because it is targeted at a younger audience. I feel like I'm clicking less and less with Middle-Grade books.

The images were stunning though. They were in the same vein as the illustrations in How To Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell, except they were a bit more refined.
Profile Image for Puffdepuff.
27 reviews
December 28, 2020
Little Fur is a book about a half troll half pixie girl who has to go on a journey to save
the trees from "the tree burners"(humans) as well as saving the wise ones who tell little fur to go on this journey. Little Fur meets a "tree guardian" that sends out a dream that might save the trees.
I loved how descriptive Isobelle Carmody was when she wrote the little fur books. She used exciting words for exciting parts and calm words in calm parts. She really makes you feel in on the action.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Miss Nessa.
171 reviews19 followers
April 14, 2021
I have the Ford Street furry covered edition of the series and it feels lovely to handle whilst losing yourself in the tale of Little Fur. A beautiful all sensory read that captures your imagination and rekindles hopes in your soul. Reconnecting with nature, taking care of the environment, respecting our world around us, being kind and so much more.
Wonderful books and stories for kids and adults alike.
Profile Image for Aisha (never learnt how to read).
136 reviews2 followers
May 10, 2025
a joy!

i'm really enjoying this series so far! the soft velvety covers drew me in (+ the sweet sweet price of cheap for a hardcover :^) ) but it's turning out to be a sweet little easy read for when you need a bit of a pick me up. i read most of this in the park today, listening to the tree above me squeak in an odd way and it felt like the appropriate environment. i hope i find the rest of the series in makeens, randomly and on an odd day when i need it
Profile Image for Hannah.
124 reviews
September 26, 2019
It's heartbreakingly disappointing. The writing is robotic. Every single piece of information is just blatingly told to the reader. The characters don't seem to really have any personality. The saddest part is that this book had so much potential. I get that it's supposed to be a children's novel, but so was The Hobbit.
Profile Image for Brittany.
1,196 reviews4 followers
August 30, 2022
A charming little story of an elf/Troll girl who goes into the city to save her trees. I loved the simplicity of her nature, and I was only confused once or twice about what was happening around her, since she described things that I was familiar with as though seen through the eyes of someone who wasn't.
Profile Image for Jeannie.
318 reviews15 followers
November 25, 2021
A really sweet, well-written book for young readers with great values. Of Isabelle carmody’s books that I’ve read, some I adored and some dragged horribly, but this was really very sweet, even for an adult to read. If I ever have kids, I’ll happily read this to them.
Profile Image for mybooks.myshelf.and.I.
92 reviews
December 13, 2021
i can't belive i read a children's book and liked it, but it's true! This is truly one of the best books i ever read, Little Fur is such a cute main character and I like the message that's in the story.
Profile Image for Ann Myers.
7 reviews
December 29, 2022
A very accessible fantasy story for young readers with drawn illustrations throughout. Little Fur is a relatable protagonist and connects to a modern world we know in a very different way than we do.

Great for fans of smaller j fic chapter books, and those who love forests and fantasy novels.
Profile Image for Chloe.
84 reviews
Read
October 7, 2025
very cute, and very much the type of story I might like to write. it is reminiscent of the sorts of short stories I used to write (but is obviously a million times better).
cute, cute, cute. no criticisms beyond its simplicity, but the simplicity is important as it is a book for children.
34 reviews
January 3, 2026
An enjoyable read

I enjoyed reading this book. I didn't enjoy the way the crow and some of the other animals talked. I understand why they didn't speak clearly, but that made it hard for me to understand at times.
372 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2017
A lovely, gentle story with enough action to hold a child's attention. I shall be trying this out on my kids.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews

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