Brackenbelly and the Beast of Hogg-Bottom Farm

by Gareth Baker

Welcome to the world of Kinmara. A world of heroes and villains. A world of magic. A world of strange creatures. And a world of beasts! Poor orphan, Isomee Hogg-Bottom, lives on a farm with her very unpleasant uncle. One day a mysterious stranger called Brackenbelly arrives at the farm wanting to buy a chostri - the enormous birds they breed - and everything starts to change for Isomee. Brackenbelly and Isomee soon become friends and when they discover that something is trying to get into the chostri barn at night, they decide to team-up and solve the mystery together.PLEASE This book was originally published as The Adventures of Brackenbelly All in a Day's Work. THIS new version is REVISED and EXPANDED but is essentially the same story.

194 pages, Paperback

First published April 24, 2013

About the author

Gareth thinks he's one of the luckiest people alive. Every day he gets to wake up, create new worlds and characters, or work with children in schools.

He's not always been a novelist (he was a teacher for 20 years) but stories have always been an important part of his life, both at work and play. When he decided to leave teaching in 2014, starting up his own publishing house seemed the perfect thing to do.

Gareth's journey began 40 years ago. His father was a shepherd so he grew up in the middle of nowhere on a farm. Living in the country gave him the freedom to disappear into fields and barns for hours, re-enacting battles and heroic rescues as well as creating his own. And thanks to films like Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Superman and The Three Musketeers - which he watched over and over again - he had plenty of ideas. Those films also left him fascinated with heroes and their path of discovery and greatness. Most of his stories are about action, adventure and heroes.

Today, he lives in a world of his own (just ask anyone who knows him), along with his family, superhero comics, books, films and computer games. He likes to deliberately say words wrong, play the violin and play Singstar. He wishes he could draw. He looks forward to sharing his next story with you soon.

Reviews

[A.E. Curzon]

The much put upon Isomee Hogg-Bottom lives with her despicable uncle at Hogg-Bottom farm. Here she is happily going about her chores one day when a stranger, a legendary uma, arrives on their doorstep in the hope of buying one the uncle’s, again legendary, flying chostri. However, the uma – Brackenbelly, finds the uncle is not willing to sell him a chostri unless he is willing to help him in return. At night things have been happening outside the barn, indicating someone or something may be trying to get to the chostri on the inside of the barn. Whatever is afoot sounds extremely frightening and dangerous and the lazy uncle is not willing to investigate the matter himself. From here the reader is taken into the even darker side of the uncle’s nature and the good and kind side of the uma, as the adventure begins.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a short chapter book. Each chapter ending is equipped with its own cliffhanger urging the reader to continue. As the story progresses we learn more about Isomee’s relationship with her uncle and just how loathsome he really is (nothing here unsuitable for children – he’s just as mean as they get). We also see how deeply intelligent and compassionate the uma is and watch as his friendship with Isomee develops.

This is very well-written with excellent character descriptions, including the one of the chostri. It’s exciting, original and imaginative. Since this is the only one I have read, I am assuming in the next one we will learn of Isomee’s fate. Highly recommended.

This review is also published at http://www.mungaiandthegoaconstrictor.me

[Nicki Davis]

My ten year old daughter and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the first of Brackenbelly's adventures. It's a story of diversity, relationships and strong morals. It teaches of bullies and brave woman (human and chostri) who realise their strength and self-worth, with the support of a quirky hero, who defies all the fairy tale stereotypes. A young man/uma going about his business, which is usually putting right others' wrongs, with swords! Both lovely and super cool! It may be set in another world, but the cultural and social dilemmas Brakenbelly faces were not at all alien to us. My younger daughter, who will soon be seven, also listened as we read the story. Of course, her comprehension is not so advanced and while she enjoyed the humour, funny names and unusual animals, much of the deeper plot went over her head. Children aged 9+ will get the most from this book.
The story has a balance of mystery, fast paced action and character based moments. Getting to know and like the charismatic duo, Brackenbelly and Isomee, means you become suitably concerned for them when they run in to trouble! The short, snappy chapters each end with a cliff hanger, resulting in a few nights of hearing ‘pleeeease can I read a bit more, mum’. Which was great!
Good story, with the potential to make a great series. Looking forward to the next.

[Christoph Fischer]

"The Kinmaran Chronicles I.i - The Adventures of Brackenbelly: All in a Day's Work" by Gareth Baker
is a fun read although one not without some unexpected depth.
A chostri farmer and his niece are visited by an uma, named Brackenbelly, who helps them solve a bothersome and dangerous mystery.

It is a wonderful and intelligent tale about animals and humans alike, told with outstanding characters and a captivating narrative. The suspense is just right for the age group and keeps the momentum of the story going without becoming too daunting.

A very enjoyable and worthy adventure and fantasy read for children 8-12.

[Daniel Abbott]

A terrific opener, setting the scene, I hope, for many more just like it. Splendidly written characters, a tight plot and a wonderfully created world, all of which draw you in, making the reader lose themselves in the experience. A real page turner, and both ideal for the younger reader and their parents. Remind me, when does Book Two come out? I can't wait!!

[Jay Mockford]

I bought this to read for myself, with a view to read to my son. I enjoyed it, and so did my son. I bought the second, Two's Company ,the next day and I read it in one sitting.

[Elias Zapple]

I bought this book because I liked the nose on the huge floating head on the cover. However, I soon discovered that huge noses wasn't the only thing I would like. The names too were most appealing. Isomee, the poor young, innocent yet spirited girl, her horrible uncle, Hogg-Bottom and then the Uma, Brackenbelly - what wonderful names! Obviously the author has been eating one too many cabbages.

Each chapter is short and it's a breeze to get through, and get through you do as this is a real page-turner. I was very impressed with the descriptions of the world the characters inhabit and the characters themselves. 'Isomee's curly red hair looked like it was caught on fire...'

The characters themselves are involving, you don't feel indifferent and you do end up rooting for them. Brackenbelly is a noble character and Isomee's sweet like cabbage ice cream.

There's good pacing and plenty of mystery as we learn about the chostri and whether or not they will they capture the beast.

Now, to begin book two.

[Mary Josefina Cade]

I know this is a children's book, but Brackenbelly is a hero entirely suited to grown up me. Not conventionally handsome, different from the norm, heroic, and on top of all these wonders, vegetarian! How could I resist him. Plus Gareth Baker has done an excellent job of writing a book about prejudice without preaching. The story is much more subtle than that.

Another theme, one of my favourites, is that of the unloved and ill-treated child. Isomee has to serve her selfish uncle, taking an adult role, working ceaselessly to provide his meals and keep house. The story contains a message for all children caught up in an unhappy place. There is always hope. Even for a child trapped at Hogg-Bottom farm. Does Isomee escape? You'll have to read 'All in a Day's Work' to find out.

The good news is that this is the first of 'The Kinmaran Chronicles'. There are many more adventures to come. The stories have depth and meaning as well as being fun and full of adventure, making this a great read for kids.

[Natalie Finnigan]

I think this book is the proper definition of a page turner. I quickly got sucked in to the story and the characters and had read the whole thing before I knew it. (I am an adult though! lol) Definitely would recommend for young readers - the chapters are short enough that they won't bore, the story is quick enough that it will keep interest and it doesn't talk down to a reader in any way. In short - I really, really enjoyed reading this. Even though I've said for young readers, I might cheekily buy the rest in the series to read myself - just don't tell anyone!