By Ash, Oak and Thorn cover art

By Ash, Oak and Thorn

Moss, Book 1

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By Ash, Oak and Thorn

By: Melissa Harrison
Narrated by: Sam Crerar, Melissa Harrison
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About this listen

The breath-taking children's debut from acclaimed nature writer and Costa Award-shortlisted novelist, Melissa Harrison - a tale of the rich, wild world and all its wonder.

Three tiny, ancient beings - Moss, Burnet and Cumulus, once revered as Guardians of the Wild World - wake from winter hibernation in their beloved ash tree home. When it is destroyed, they set off on an adventure to find more of their kind, a journey that takes them first into the deep countryside and then the heart of a city. Helped along the way by birds and animals, the trio search for a way to survive and thrive in a precious yet disappearing world....

Cover illustration by Lauren O'Hara 2021

©2021 Chicken House Books (P)2021 Audible, Ltd Fantasy Fiction Science Fiction Science Fiction & Fantasy Heartfelt Feel-Good Funny

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All stars
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So beautifully told and written. Do you believe in fairies ? Enjoy this magical story of little folk

Magical Story

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I love it and it is so addictive in a good way 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽you will love 💗 it

Love it 😍

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Should be read to all children in school so not one misses out! Highly recommended to adults as well!! And then to be shared and discussed and hopefully acted upon. Wonderful narration. Now embarking on the sequel.

Exceptional!

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I absolutely loved this story and found it so beautifully written and moving. The narration and production were equally wonderful too.

This book can very much be enjoyed by children and adults alike as the writing is brilliant and the themes within the story important for everyone.
Even though there are very definite themes around the environment and how humans treat the world around them, it’s never preachy but instead moving and inspiring. A magical tale told in a very tangible and real way so you believe that there might just be hidden folk in a garden near you and that it’s worth looking after that garden just in case.

Can’t wait to read the next book.

A Wonderful and Meaningful Story

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Attracted by the cover illustration and title, as an adult listener I really enjoyed this. It's an important, relevant story beautifully told, and it would be lovely to share with a child. There are also some perfectly chosen natural sound effects - e.g. real bird song - and some gentle music to mark chapters. It's beautifully done and wonderful to escape into. The only thing I didn't like was one very brief comment on a character's body shape and food intake which felt wrong and out of place in an otherwise generous and thoughtful book where the characters encourage each other NOT to judge by appearances. Otherwise it seems like the perfect book for encouraging engagement with 'the wild world' and also gentle understanding of each other.

Vivid and enchanting

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If you loved The Borrowers, or The Little Grey Men you’ll love this story of the Hidden Folk. If you lived the Animals of Farthing Wood, or The Wind in the Willows you’ll love the animals herein.

This audiobook has been artfully brought together. It’s hard to say which is the best part. The story is magical and fresh. The narration is natural and carries the story well. Then there’s music and the sounds of nature just enough to round out the experience and pull you into the world inhabited by Cumulus, Burnet, Moss, and Sorrel.
It’s so magical I’m glad there’s a second book.

A new favourite series and author

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Having loved B.B.'s The Little Grey Men & Down the Bright Stream for over forty years, I am so glad to have found this wonderful, timely gift of hope. Its important message is delivered with gentleness & love. Children of all ages will discover new friends here & may shed a few tears along the way.

For children of the Wild World, of all ages

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Absolutely lovable and heartwarming.
PLEASE, read/play this to your children. You will love the story, too.
I went searching for the second book even before finishing this one.

Heartwarming

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I absolutely loved this, a beautiful story that really understood and showed how magical the natural world we live in is. The narration was perfect too.

I particularly loved how the animals were gendered but none of the Hidden Folk were; it took quite a while to even notice this, it was done so subtly. It's not commented on at all, just gently done through clever omission of any gendering words, leaving the reader able to relate to the Hidden Folk in whatever way suits them best.

Gorgeous.

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This story has a great story to tell. I am buying this plus book 2 for my grandson's. The story covers the importance of looking after ourselves and our world.

Thoroughly enjoyable!

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