Can one hare alone change the world? The captivating animal adventure destined to be loved by readers of all ages.. One stormy, snowy night, a pure silver calf is born on an ordinary muddy farm by the light of the moon. This is the legendary Mooncalf, whose arrival has been foretold since the dawn of time. According to a dream passed down from animal to animal, if the calf dies, a great terribleness will come - rising seas, a plague, skies raining down fire, the end of all things... and Little Hare vows to persuade all the animals to protect Mooncalf, whatever the cost. But it's easier said than done, and soon Little Hare realises that he is the only one who can save the world... A stunning prequel to the award-winning, bestselling The Last Wild trilogy, touching on timely themes of climate change, friendship, and above all, hope.
My Thoughts
In the acknowledgements at the back of this book, Piers Torday says he was inspired to return to the world of the wild by Greta Thunberg, 'who has moved the dial on the global climate change conversation to another level.' The Last Wild - which is about a pandemic - was published during our own, real pandemic, all of us behind closed doors, with limited access and time in nature. If you are fortunate enough to pick up this wonderful story during this dreadful time, I hope it will - as all good stories should - carry you into a world of wonder and wilderness and help you escape the restrictions of today's covid world. I was reluctant to read The Wild Before, sure it could never live up to the brilliance of Piers Torday's Wild Trilogy, but I now can assure you, dear reader, it is even better.
The story starts with a map (I love a map). Dandelion Hill Valley featuring Miracle Moor, Bristly Hedge, Badger Beech Copse and Bull's Bellow. What could be more perfect? Then there's a fabulous and brilliantly imagined 'key' to 'Animal Time', gently settling the reader into a world governed by moons. Still the story does not begin. Once we have settled into the moon calendar, we are introduced to The Animal Tongue, a lexicon of delightful animal expressions the characters will use throughout the extraordinary story. And then we're off. Hurtling through thorns, hungry, terrified, disoriented and far, far from home.
There is heart-swelling delight, and there is boot-filling terror. There is friendship, and hope, and joy.
Buy The Wild Before now. Read it in one, wonderful sitting, or stretch it out over bedtimes, snuggling down with the wonder of Little Hare's thrilling adventures dancing through your dreams.