By David Greaves (author) , Emily Wallis (illustrator)
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This beautiful book is delightful. It's rather old fashioned in it's presentation with really clear and colourful pictures which illustrate each action in the story. It tells of a wild boar in search of truffles. However, he can't find any and when his other friends appear to be going to a birthday party, he wonders why he hasn't been invited.
Lots of visual and written clues for the children to follow and discover what is going on. It's told in rhyming verse with some interesting and challenging language. Ideal to read to younger children and the illustrations provide plenty to discuss.
Chris Woolfenden, A LoveReading4Kids Ambassador
It’s Mr Snuffles’ birthday, and his dream present is a basketful of his favourite tasty treat, truffles! But hunting high and low through his woodland home, there's not a single truffle to be found anywhere. Could it be that a truffle-thief has got there first?
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Inspired by David Greaves' deep love of the countryside, and vividly brought to life by acclaimed illustrator Emily Wallis, Mr Snuffles’ Birthday invites us to join Mr Snuffles in his wonderful woodland world. Inhabited by a host of memorable characters, Mr Snuffles’ Birthday is a story that younger children, parents, carers and primary teachers will delight in reading aloud together and returning to time and again.
Born in Yorkshire in 1985, David Greaves' kindness and generosity of spirit, and his love of travel and adventure led him to make friends around the world with people from all walks of life. The stamina and strength of character demonstrated by David's achievements as an ultra-marathon runner and Iron Man triathlete were also shown by his determination to complete The Homesick Fox, and a considerable number of other stories for children while living with the cruel limitations imposed by Motor Neurone Disease (ALS), diagnosed shortly after David's thirtieth birthday in June 2015. In September 2015 David married the love of his life, Philippa, soon after which they climbed Mt Kilimanjaro together, raising over £12,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, then travelled widely in East Africa before settling in Newcastle upon Tyne. As MND progressively deprived David of the use of his hands, and then the power of speech, he finished his collection of children's books using revolutionary computer software which allowed him to communicate by tracking and translating into readable text the movement of his eyes. David Greaves passed away peacefully at home in September 2016. David's wife Philippa and his family intend to honour his outstanding gifts as a children's author by eventually publishing all David's completed works.
Here's the ITV Tyne Tees Interview with David's family about the writing of Mr Snuffles' Birthday and David's Motor Neurone diseasediagnosis:
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A perfect book for reading aloud and it would make an excellent gift.
As it is Mr Snuffles' birthday, he decides to hunt for truffles as a special treat. However everywhere he searches, the truffles seem to have already been taken and he is convinced that he spots the snout of a truffle thief. Encountering his friends does not help as they all seem to be acting rather suspiciously and are in a hurry to get to a birthday celebration. In no mood to join them, he decides to make his way home where he discovers to his enormous delight that his friends have organised a surprise party - complete with truffles - especially for him. This book has all the qualities necessary to entertain children. The art work is simply divine and the story is told at a good pace using carefully chosen rhyme and rhythm.... Read Full Review
I could read this story aloud with ease and gusto to my own children or any of my Key Stage 1 classes and the language would be both engaging and interesting to spark questions and investigation. It would be a fast favourite and I would happily have it in pride of place in both a book shelf at home or a book corner in school.
Mr Snuffle's Birthday by David Greaves A whimsical story with hand drawn style illustrations that are beautifully reminiscent of fairy tales of old. The rhyming story immediately picks up a rhythm and the shouted lines and words are spot on and fun. The tale of poor Mr Snuffles who on his birthday goes looking for his favourite thing to eat - truffles. When none are found except a half eaten truffle and some muddy paw prints, Mr Snuffles realises he has a thief to catch. Away he goes to find the thief and along the way, he meets various friends who are unable to help him search for the thief as they are busily going to a party. Finally, without any truffles or an invite to the party, Mr Snuffles rather sadly head home where he finds a wonderful surprise for his birthday waiting for him.... Read Full Review
It’s Mr Snuffles’ birthday, and his dream present is a basketful of his favourite tasty treat, truffles! But hunting high and low through his woodland home, there's not a single truffle to be found anywhere.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Mr Snuffles' Birthday and determined it is suitable for children aged 5-8 years old
Mr Snuffles' Birthday features in the following genres: Featured Books for 5+ readers, Recommendations, Featured Books for 7+ readers, Indie Books We Love, Indie Author Books
Hardback. Not Available.
Mr Snuffles' Birthday was written by David Greaves and published by Stanage Press Ltd
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