The Legend of Childer’s Forest
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley December 11, 2023
Author Gillian Young
Distributor: Gillian Young/Amazon
ISBN: 978-1738406807
Publisher: Wyre Owl Books
Release Date: October 2023
Website: https://www.gillianyoungauthor.com/
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Crazy Cream Adventures
Captain Francis Childer, way back in the time of 1651, well before you were born, did a very brave and sacrificial thing. He and his men were with Charles Stuart, the man who was supposed to be the King, being hunted by Oliver Cromwell, and his New Model Army, who was now the most powerful and terrifying man in Politics in Britain at that time.
In order to make sure Charles Stuart stayed safe, he offered to be used as a decoy, to run into Childer’s Forest so Cromwell’s soldiers would follow him, not Charles Stuart. While he was there he became lost, lived in the forest for a long time and was eventually rescued by a huge mysterious white Stag, known later as Legend.
He also saw a wonderful warm angelic light that chased away the evil that was surrounding him at that time. And so the legend was born and forest considered to have magical properties.
But moving on to now and two lovely dogs, Poppy and Devon who just love to have adventures. The field near their home is being destroyed by large machinery in order to build some more houses. They see the mess that is happening and are very, very unhappy.
They are even more unhappy when they see all the rabbits that lived in the field have been killed and their homes destroyed forever. They go to find out what they can and discover three rabbits, terrified and alone, wondering where they can go with safety to build a new home.
Devon and Poppy decide that is something they may be able to help them with and perhaps they can settle in Childers Forest, not all that far from where they live. On the way to the Forest, on one of their favourite walks, they notice their friend Guinevere the donkey is not in her paddock, the farm dogs are not to be seen and a very large Buzzard is circling overhead. This a real worry as Buzzards like to eat rabbit.
Buzzard turns out to be a real friend in times of need and helps the rabbits find a home, until things begin to go wrong once again and Poppy, Devon, Buzzard and the rabbits find themselves in the fight of their lives, to not only protect each other, but also Jack, Poppy and Devons small human, who is camping out in Childer’s Forest on a night when evil is on the loose.
Heart-warming and most enjoyable, The Legend of Childer’s Forest involves a little history, a huge amount to love and bravery, as well as a very nicely couched presentation of working together, learning to accept each other, whether you are a cat, dog or buzzard and also good succeeding over evil, which makes for one very good mid-range reader story to be enjoyed.