Author & Illustrators
This is the first in a series of adventures from Kieran Larwood (the author of the much-loved Podkin series of books) and illustrated by the excellent Joe Todd-Stanton.
Hero Trial is a classic tale of the underdog triumphing against the odds, standing up to bullies and showing that size and strength are not everything. Kit is a gnorf (part gnome, part dwarf) and Dungeon Runners is a TV game show that Kit is desperate to be on. The trouble is that he has no magical powers, combat skills or even a team. After being bullied into entering the Dungeon Runners trial, Kit needs to find a team double quick to make sure he isn’t humiliated by his mean next-door neighbour Breg the Troggle.
So starts his adventure in finding friendship, and courage and learning that you can win by being kind and using your intelligence. This imaginative and brilliantly illustrated story will appeal to quest lovers and adventure fans in lower KS2.
An exciting fantasy story set in an animal world. From the moment the Bard arrives on one Bramblemas Eve in the very first pages, beginning to tell his interpretation of the fable of Podkin One-Ear, it is clear that Kieran Larwood’s story of adventure and magic among the world of rabbits is a winner. His delightful and bewitching use of language and appropriately complex narrative make for a fantastic read.
The story is anchored around the title character Podkin, but his role in the tale is equally supported by his older, and oftentimes wiser, sister Paz who makes for a great female role model among other characters in the tale. Despite being rabbits, each character is very relatable and they all have human characteristics. There are enough twists and turns along the way to make even older readers question Podkin and his two siblings’ next moves in their quest to keep their magic dagger, one of the twelve gifts from the Goddess, safe from the evil Gorm and their vicious leader.
Podkin One-Ear is an adventure tale that draws the reader in immediately from the get-go.
review
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?
yes
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Curriculum links (if relevant)
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