Benjamin Gibert

A Marmot's Tale Benjamin Gibert

Publisher Marketing: Story: Lester the marmot is happy and carefree. He loves fine food. He loves fine art. He loves fine clothes. One day, during a game of hide and seek, Lester loses his best friend Alice. Unable to find her in all her favourite hiding places, he sets off through the forest to find her. On his search he encounters all the wonderful creatures of Westfalia. As he asks each group for help Lester discovers that not everyone in Westfalia organises themselves in the same ways. From the decisive Bear King Louis to the the quarrelling Council of Forest Elders, Lester soon realises that each animal group has its own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to getting things done. What started as a straightforward search for Alice quickly transforms into a journey of discovery that changes Lester's understanding of himself and the world around him. Concept: A Marmot's Tale is an allegorical story that introduces big political ideas to small children. Lester the marmot starts his journey happy and carefree, oblivious to the world around him and satisfied to play games with his best friend Alice. When Alice goes missing during a game of hide and seek, Lester travels across Westfalia's strange lands and asks everyone he encounters to help him find his friend Alice. Every two-page spread in the book shows Lester discovering a new group of animals that each represent a way of organising politically. A bear monarchy, a democratic council of forest creatures, a fascist city of ants, and a communist hive of bees are just some of the groups he encounters on his quest. This is not a See Spot Run style of book! We have strived to make the language as simple as possible but this book is not targeted at very young kids. The writing is in full, descriptive sentences that are meant to challenge the young reader more than your average children's book. The point was not to underestimate kids' intelligence and to create a dialogue between parents and kids as they read the book together to start with. There's something special about learning new words and ideas with a great story and a willing parent that every child remembers later on in life. A Marmot's Tale is a journey that both kids and adults should enjoy for different reasons at first. Kids might revel in the colourful drawings and Lester the marmot's amusing antics. Adults might laugh at the political allusions in the text and illustrations. But together a shared experience is created in which everyone can learn something about politics and life.