Quimble Wood

by N.M. Bodecker, Branka Starr (Illustrator)

Four quimbles, each no bigger than a little finger, fall out of a car in a forest where they must learn to fend for themselves quickly since winter is not far off.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

N.M. Bodecker was an illustrator as well as a writer of children's books and nonsense poetry.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I hadn't had to take this back to the library today because I wanted to copy out the first page but I ran out of time. It's a very engaging first paragraph, with the four Quimbles falling out of a bag and ending up in a wood all alone.

The Quimbles are small (the mouse they meet looks big by comparison!) and end up having the find food and make a home in the woods. I really enjoyed some of the wordplay and language used (and the names are fun, like Quilliam and Quinelope) and I think children who enjoy stories like Thumbelina would like this one. It's for the older picture book set as it's told in very short chapters with only one illustration per page. Sad to see there are not more reviews. It's charming and I think many readers would enjoy it.

This was meant to be the first in a trilogy. I'm not sure if the others were actually published, I don't see them listed here: Quimble Winter and Quimble Sea.

[Sadie Hartmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The quimbles are tiny, no bigger than your thumb. They were sleeping in their cotton-stuffed box when it fell out of the car and landed in the woods!

The quimbles learn how to care for themselves and each other. They forage for food, make a shelter and plan the rest of their lives.

I loved this book so much! The illustrations by Branka Starr are so atmospheric and wonderful! I read this story to my little sisters over and over and over again. Then I read it to my three children. It's been a loved classic in our home.
There is something mysterious about the copy of this book that I have. Goodreads didn't even offer it as an edition to choose so I actually added it myself. Looking up the book cover on the internet produced one picture. The ISBN was given to another book. So I guess I own one of the only copies in the known world of this edition. Which is fine with me--I'm quite content with the fact that nobody else loves it like I do. However, it looks like an edition of this book was released in 2004 so I HIGHLY recommend snatching it up and reading it to your small children (ages 0-10). You won't regret it.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niels Mogens Bodecker, a children's author and artist who was born in Denmark, but spent most of his adult life in the United States, is probably best known as the illustrator of Edward Eager's many fantasy novels for younger readers, although he also created some lovely books of his own, most notably, Miss Jaster's Garden . In this fantastic adventure, apparently first published in 1981, and then reprinted in this 2004 edition, he spins the story of four little Quimbles - miniature people (dolls, most likely) who are dropped by a passing car in the woods, and must make their own way in the forest in which they find themselves. Befriended by a mouse (who towers above them), Quilliam, Quilice, Quint and Quenelope set out to build their own home before winter sets in, learning quite a bit about the resources of the wood in the process...

Really more of a short chapter-book than a picture-book - there are five brief chapters, although the book can't be more than forty pages long - Quimble Wood features an engaging story by Bodecker and sweet black and white artwork by Branka Starr. I did finding myself wondering a little bit about the Quimbles - what were they, exactly? living dolls? miniature people? - and wishing that more background information had been given about them, but then again, other readers might enjoy the mystery created by the in-medias-res opening. The illustrations look to be done in pencil, and have an interesting shaded quality to them, with lots of vertical lines. All in all, this was a charming little fantasy, one that will appeal to readers who enjoy stories like The Borrowers or The Littles .

[Millerevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have this book at my library and the first time I read it I loved it, I just kept reading it over and over. Finally for my aunt and uncle got it for me for christmas. I might have gotten it 4 years ago but its still one of my favorite books ever. :)

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous book that includes subtle lessons in perseverance, cooperation, hospitality, ingenuity, preparation, and craftsmanship. The illustrations supplement the text perfectly without distracting from it or inhibiting imagination. It's a great story for children and adults.

[ℓ◎♥℮ т☺ яεαḓ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a charming children's book. I loved the artwork too!

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

B. children's fiction, fantasy; from stash, return to Charity