Гектор Лис: У пошуках велетня

Hector Fox #1

by Astrid Sheckels

Подекують, що на Забороненому болоті північніше Темного лісу живе хтось величезний і таємничий. Може, велетень? Спраглі пригод, Гектор Лис і його чудові лісові друзі відкладають убік книжки й сміливо вирушають у мандрівку, щоб дізнатися, чи справді існують казкові велетні.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Animals, Adventure

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 16, 2014

About the author

Astrid Sheckels cannot remember a time when she was not telling or illustrating stories, especially ones involving imaginary animals. A native of western Massachusetts and growing up in an artistic family, Astrid spent her childhood playing outside, using her imagination, and drawing. She studied Fine Art at Greenfield Community College and now works as a full-time artist.

Astrid is the author/illustrator of the award-winning Hector Fox & Friends picture book series (Islandport Press). The four-book series includes Hector Fox and the Giant Quest, Hector Fox and the Raven’s Revenge, Hector Fox and the Daring Flight and Hector Fox and the Map of Mystery.

Her debut book as an author/illustrator was the award-winning Nic and Nellie (Islandport Press). As an illustrator, her other award-winning titles include The Scallop Christmas (Islandport Press) and The Fish House Door (Islandport Press). She has illustrated the picture book Hope Somewhere in America (Twin Lights Publishers) and the two chapter books, Black Cloud and Tennessee Rose, in the Horse Diaries series (Random House).

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five fairy-tale-loving friends - Hector Fox, Lucy Skunk, Mo Marten, Charlie Chipmunk, Jeremiah Rabbit - set off on a quest to find the fabled giant of the Forbidden Marsh in this picture-book from author/artist Astrid Sheckels. Inspired by the stories read to them by Hector, the companions head north, eventually encountering their friend Rufus Bear, who joins their journey. When a boat-ride through the marsh leads to the friends becoming stranded on an island, they do indeed meet (and befriend) the giant - none other than Ebenezer Moose.

The first in a promised picture-book series featuring Hector Fox, Hector Fox and the Giant Quest is an amiable, if rather simple tale; one in which a variety of woodland creatures are friends, rather than competitors or predator and prey. Truthfully, I found Sheckels' artwork more enjoyable that the story itself. The scenes in Fox's home, in particular, were charming, and the dapper little animals in their clothing and caps reminded me a bit of the characters from books such as Wind in the Willows. Picked up largely because of my interest in the depiction of foxes in children's books, this book strikes me as a fairly standard example of the type of tale in which woodland creatures live an idealized and anthropomorphized life, against the backdrop of a natural world that is depicted as mostly benign. Readers who enjoyed the Brambly Hedge books will likely also take to Sheckels' animal world.

[Sandu Andronic · Rating 5 out of 5]

O serie nouă foarte promițătoare pe care am descoperit-o recent pentru copilul meu. Nu am stat prea mult pe gânduri, așa că am luat-o, fiind eu însumi curios de ea. Firul narativ pe care îl vedem aici este unul clasic, oarecum prevăzător, nu dintre cele mai originale, dar cel mai de seamă detaliu este că la final cititorul descoperă o morală care este bine plantată printre rânduri, pe care copiii cei mai ageri o vor înțelege - și anume că - poveștile nu sunt întotdeauna povești. Poveștile au putere de a inspira, de a motiva. Poveștile, mai interesant, pot fi parte a realității noastre. Poveștile ne ajută să înțelegem, într-o oarecare măsură, realitatea care ne înconjoară. Sau că, realitatea nu este altceva decât o altă poveste minunată și fiecare dintre noi ne jucăm rolul. Cât despre ilustrații, sunt absolut geniale. Foarte bine lucrate și amplasate într-un mod cât mai diversificat pe parcursul paginilor. Cred că acesta este și punctul forte al cărții.

[Samantha Pinazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amo questi libri: mi fanno tornare bambina con le loro avventure semplici, i personaggi teneri e le illustrazioni stupende. Mi sono persa nella contemplazione delle tavole, dei dettagli meravigliosi… ovviamente andrò avanti con la serie!

[R. C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable story is illustrated in Tasha Tudor's style- neat and detailed, but still dreamy.

I particularly enjoy that the group of friends are spending time reading together. My friends and I do that, but when do you ever see that activity in any media presented to children?! Especially wonderfully, this is a male character who is presented as a reader. These buddies then go on an adventure inspired by their reading. This is the kind of social life I want for my little dude, the kind of family culture I aspire to.

Spoilers ahead-- aside from the cast of talking, well-dressed animals, there are no magical creatures here. The giant they find is a moose, who saves them after their boat sinks.

My three-year old asks for this story every day. Highly recommend seeking out a copy.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely precious! The illustrations are fabulous, and it’s a cute story.

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations!

[Cheryl]

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Olya Nelepova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Дуже гарна книжка-картинка для дітей. Особливого шарму їй надають неймовірно затишні зображення. Хочеться роздивлятися іх знову і знову.
І сама історія, хоч і не дуже вигадлива та загадкова, але всеодно цікава і, знову таки, затишна. Мені сподобалось, що навіть в такій невеликій історії авторка змогла змалювати різні характери героїв.
На форзаці книги міститься мапа за якою можна відслідкувати шлях героїв історії і це додатковий величезний плюс книзі. Ми з синами дуже любимо такі мапи.

[Adele Lostinaclassicworld · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un giorno, un bel gruppo di amici decide di andare in esplorazione oltre il Bosco Verde per incontrare un vero gigante. Quella che doveva essere una semplice esplorazione si trasforma presto in un’avventura ricca di imprevisti, ma anche di meravigliose sorprese.

Questo storia potrebbe sembrare adatta solo ai bambini, eppure, a volte, anche noi adulti abbiamo bisogno semplicemente di qualcosa che sappia farci vivere dei momenti di serenità, con quel giusto pizzico di avventura.

Mi è piaciuto visitare il Bosco Verde, un luogo bellissimo, dove poter camminare tra alberi rigogliosi, ma anche la Foresta oscura, il luogo dove inizia la vera avventura.
I protagonisti di questa storia sono degli animali intelligenti e curiosi, uniti da una profonda amicizia e da una grande passione per l’esplorazione e le fiabe. Ci sono Arturo la Volpe, Lucia la Puzzola e altri che scoprirete solo leggendo il volume. È facile affezionarsi a loro, grazie anche alla loro buona caratterizzazione.

Credo che il vero punto di forza di questo albo siano i disegni: sembrano dei quadri, riempiono completamente le pagine, e il testo ne diventa parte integrante. Ogni dettaglio è curatissimo, dai rami degli alberi, ai vestiti dei protagonisti.
Le mie scene preferite, però, sono quelle che si ambientate nella casa di Arturo, mentre lui sta leggendo una fiaba ai suoi amici. Mi sembrava di essere davvero lì con loro con una tazza di tè in mano, mi hanno trasmesso un grande senso di serenità e amicizia.

[V · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to live in Hector Fox's world. What do they do for fun, you ask? Why, they read fairy tales together in a cozy forest home before exploring nature and indulging their curiosity!

After finishing a fairy tale, the group you see on the cover decides to explore an uncharted marsh to find a giant. The smooth narration and rich illustrations make for a cozy story time, while the underlying messaging emphasizes the value of reading, friendship, curiosity, and exploration. The level of detail in the illustrations draws the reader in, fully enveloping her in the setting. ILLUSTRATOR's work reminds me of both Arthur Rackham, with the forest imagery, and Beatrix Potter, with the quaintly dressed animals. The characters themselves are a varied group of friends with whom children can identify - there is the leader, the one who is *NOT* scared, the one who is curious, the one who is along for fun. They are expressive and you can see how they support each other as their adventure does not unfold as they hoped. I really like how kind they are to one another. The story exudes warmth and consideration. The Hector Fox books are bound to be a hit.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as a Christmas gift from my older daughter. I absolutely loved the story, as well, as the characters!! The illustrations are lovely! You can be sure this book will be appearing at Storytime soon!!

[Jill Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picturebook. Hector Fox enjoys reading to his woodland friends. After reading a fairy tale about giants they decide to go look for one. Who do they discover along the way? Wonderful illustrations and map. Ages 3 to 7.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Sophia Filipchuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Дуже мило і гарні ілюстрації. Хочеться розглядати кожну деталь, а потім піти у ліс. В Україні - видавництво "Читаріум".

[Deneen P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Astrid! Fantastic illustrations and a story that kids enjoy.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and a lovely, classic fairytale feel.

[Antonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five stars for delightful illustrations, but four stars for the story. The story is enjoyable and might engage little ones, but is it not five star material.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, realistic art!!!!!!! Great story.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story with gorgeous illustrations.

[Fumi Okuda · Rating 5 out of 5]

beautiful illustration and fun story!

[MaryJo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations by a talented artist

[Gracie C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most whimsical and cozy illustrated story! Had me hooked! The illustrations are incredible!

[Μαρία ΠΚ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Μια ιστορία με φίλους του δάσους που πάνε για μια περιπέτεια αναζήτησης ενός γίγαντα.
Πολύ γλυκιά ιστορία με υπέροχη εικονογράφηση.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork is truly amazing and beautiful! And the story is lovely.

[Sara Beldoch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent adventure story for children that sparked creative play and storytelling with all of my kids after reading it. The illustrations are quite beautiful as well.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in love with this series!!! Tasha Tudor meets Wind In the Willows, meets Beatrix Potter meets Winnie the Pooh. It's lovely. Super cozy characters and full of whimsy. If I was a little girl I would gag over this. The illustrations are imaginative and whimsical, and you will fall in love with each character.

[Aleena Grosjean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. Very Redwall in nature. Kids enjoyed it.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly amazing and the illustrations are individual masterpieces. This is the second book written and illustrated by Astrid Sheckels. Children 3-8 will be delighted with this whimsical and charming tale.

Hector Fox has his friends over and is reading a fairytale to them. When he finished the story little Lucy Skunk verbalizes that she wishes all fairytales were true. Once her wish is cast it motivates the friends to go on a real, live, giant hunt....just like in the book. They mobilize their group and find themselves at the Forbidden Marsh hoping beyond hope a giant will found.

I love the fact that the animals speak English and are dressed in dapper Edwardian clothes. Even though they are all of a different species they love to be together, hang out and read. Their sense of adventure pulls the reader into the story and the depiction of the giant is not scary for young readers. The colour and detail of the illustrations makes you want to frame each one and hang them on your wall.

I am sure this is destined to be a classic as it has every element in it to make it so. I highly, highly recommend this book. Both kids and adults alike will pick it up again and again to enjoy and especially appreciate the creative and beautiful artwork.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Hector Fox and the Giant Quest' by Astrid Sheckels is an adorable picture book. The story is cute and the art is lush and detailed.

When well-tailored Hector Fox gathers the nearby forest creatures to his house to read them a fairy tale, they all decide to go on a quest. It seems that there might be a giant living in the forest nearby. They find themselves getting a bit more adventure than they bargained for, but will they find the giant?

Beautiful pictures and an adorable story await within. The pictures draw you in and the animals, all decked out in fine clothes, are splendid. Perfect for toddlers who want a fun story about being adventurous.

I received a review copy of this picture book from Dover Publications, Premiere and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this wonderful picture book.

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has to be one of the most endearingly illustrated books I’ve seen, The story concerns a group of five animal friends - Charlie Chipmunk, Hector Fox, Jeremiah Rabbit, Lucy Skunk, Mo Marten - all of them illustrated as humanoid characters, dressed in Edwardian style clothing. After hearing a fairy story about a giant, Lucy wishes the stories were true so the gang set off on an adventure to find a real fairy-tale giant. They have adventures along the way and meet other friends. The illustrations are really superb in supporting the text and enhancing the story. This is a fantastic book that children will re-read and look through again and again, a classic in the making!

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley too
for letting me read this book in exchange for this, an honest review.