The Ten Tales of Shellover

by Ruth Ainsworth, Antony Mitland (Illustrator)

What and who is Shellover, the stranger in Mrs Candy's garden?

When Mrs Candy's animals have found the answer, and overcome a little natural jealousy, they also find they now have a wonderful story-teller in their midst.

Shellover has tales of every kind, about every kind of place and people. There are, for example, stories of cats: a magic cat who tests an old man's goodness of heart, and rewards him; and an ordinary mother cat who goes adventuring with her kittens in a box-boat, and has to bring up a strange baby with long ears. There are stories of children: the kind who make friends with an acorn-man in the forest, or dance with mist-children on a lonely island; and the more ordinary kind who go to the seaside and lose their shoes in the sand.

There is also a story about an Ugsome Thing - and Antony Maitland, the illustrator of these tales and holder of the Kate Grenaway Medal for children's book illustration, is the only living authority on what an Ugsome Thing really looks like.

Genres: Childrens

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1963

About the author

Ruth Gallard Ainsworth was a British writer, of over seventy children's books and numerous radio scripts.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

These tales were amazing. I read them aloud to my 5 year old. She wanted to immediately start in on “More Tales.” Lovely stories for me to hear as well.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I came across this one when clearing out the garage and memories of being fascinated with the stories came flooding back. Shellover, the tortoise's tells ten stories to the pets of the lady who finds him before he hibernates - It might be out of print now, but available second-hand and its well worth tracking it down.

[Sam Larks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would love this to be available for my kindle.......... My favourite childhood book!!