Over the years, I have been very fortunate and
privileged that a number of my cryptozoological articles and books have
contained exquisite illustrations by the extremely talented artist Philippa
Foster. One of her most beautiful and, indeed, spectacular artworks, featuring
a pair of ethereal sky medusae, even featured on the front cover of one of my
books, Dr Shuker's Casebook
(2008).
Knowing of and sharing Philippa's abiding love of the
countryside and all of nature's endearing, enduring works, as well as her
interest in magical realms, I have wondered on more than one occasion whether
one day she may venture beyond the art world and into the written word too
during her depictions of these mutually fascinating subjects, and I'm delighted
to say that recently she did indeed do so.
Front cover of Dr Shuker's Casebook featuring sky medusae backdrop by Philippa Foster (© Dr Karl Shuker/CFZ Press; front
cover artwork © Philippa Foster)
The result is an absolutely charming story for
children entitled Lofty Abodes, written
and published by Philippa, which I read a while ago and thoroughly enjoyed.
Set in the Brecon Beacons of Wales, and unfurling
under the watchful eyes of the Red Sandstone Guardians, it weaves a magical, enchanted
tale featuring both the familiar and also various cryptozoological creatures
that make their home in this famously spectacular realm in Great Britain, from lonely
trolls and friendly red kites to a glow worm city, rollicking rabbits, and a
tantalising assortment of teasing puzzles and riddles too.
Back cover of Lofty Abodes by Philippa Foster (Text and cover
artwork © Philippa Foster)
Significantly, it also includes something that
Philippa (and I) consider very important (but sadly all too rare nowadays) in
books for youngsters – a happy ending. Why do children's authors seem obliged
lately to include some gritty, heartless denouement to their stories? The real
world is gritty and heartless enough – surely the whole point of fiction,
especially children's fiction, is escapism, to flee from the hardships of existence
if only for a little while by seeking the warm, comforting, uplifting solace of
a story in which the world is a finer, happier place, where worries can be
forgotten and dreams of a better land and life can be born, nurtured, and, who
knows, possibly even retained and given substance to when their dreamers have
returned to grim reality.
With Christmas rapidly approaching, it gives me
great pleasure to introduce Lofty Abodes here on ShukerNature, as I am
certain that it would make a delightful and much-treasured gift for children,
and not just young ones but children of all ages, for anyone, in fact, who carries in their heart the joy and unadulterated love of nature and wild
things that they first experienced as children. Copies can be purchased
directly from Philippa via her website, and also here
on Amazon's UK website when available there.
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