The Beastly Baron of Beaux Bottom is a humorous, cautionary tale with an important message about the importance of kindness and keeping your promises. It will make younger readers giggle aloud – lots! – but also shares some deeper messages.
The Baron of Beaux Bottom is not popular amongst the townsfolk as he spends a lot of time shouting at people, and blaming others for his choices. One day, he decides to follow his mother’s request to go on a training exercise with his regiment but to watch rather than take part. Once in the woods, Major Mountjoy suggests that he take a walk in the Wild Western Woods …
And so begins an adventure that changes the Baron in more ways than he could ever have expected, and which teaches him the importance of being kind and not breaking promises to others. What happens when a witch’s spell has unexpected consequences? Can a greedy goat have eaten more than she can stomach? And, can two children seeking adventure outsmart the Gossamer Green Ghost?
This is a wonderfully humorous tale with lots of unexpected moments that will bring giggles as the Baron finds himself in some very strange circumstances – but it is also a tale that brings important messages to readers.
There is no doubt that, at the beginning of the tale, the Baron is a horrible, self-centred person who expects others to do what he tells them to simply because he is the Baron. He has no problem with making and breaking promises to others, or with ordering people to do what he wants. However, there is also an underlying sense that the Baron feels that he has no-one to trust and is less self-assured than the image he projects to others. Could feeling that he won’t be judged lead to a change of character for the Beastly Baron?
There are wonderful full-and-partial-page illustrations throughout this tale. They are vibrant and expressive and complement the story-telling – and humour – perfectly.
A fun tale for readers of 8+ who will giggle as they read, but also learn some important messages about kindness towards others.
Thank you to Literally PR for inviting me to be part of the Blog Tour, and for sending me a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Author Information
Jeremy Hullah grew up in the rural Midlands, where he spent a lot of time dreaming about being a pianist or a writer, or something equally unattainable without the required level of effort.
After proving beyond all doubt that education was not something that came naturally, he moved to London where he worked on building sites for a few years before retraining in IT. Now, many years later, he works for a bank in the City, writing books on the train to and from his home in East Sussex, where he spends whatever time is left cycling around the countryside, dreaming up ideas for new books to keep his two boys entertained.
Do check out the other stops on the Blog Tour:
Book Craic 