FLETCHER'S FOUR SEASONS, ILLUSTRATED BY TIPHANIE BEEKE
Published by Graffeg (UK) and Greenwillow (the first three books in the US)
(Previously published in the UK as Ferdie by Gullane Children's Books)
Published by Graffeg (UK) and Greenwillow (the first three books in the US)
(Previously published in the UK as Ferdie by Gullane Children's Books)
The evolution of Fletcher's Four Seasons...
I had the idea for the first book, Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, when my son asked me to fix an autumn leaf back on a tree, and for the second, Fletcher and the Springtime Blossom, when I was pushing my other son through drifts of blossom in his pushchair. I sprinkled petals over him and it really did look like snow. My editor then suggested a Christmas book and I instantly thought of myself as a child, worrying that Father Christmas wouldn't find me when I was away from home for Christmas. So there wasn't a great plan to write Fletcher's Four Seasons, but after autumn, spring and winter stories it seemed right to add a story for summer.
And as the seasons keep changing, and Fletcher keeps getting confused, he is off on four new seasonal adventures - Fletcher and the Caterpillar, Fletcher and the Rockpool, Fletcher and the Rainbow and Fletcher and the Stars.
I had the idea for the first book, Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, when my son asked me to fix an autumn leaf back on a tree, and for the second, Fletcher and the Springtime Blossom, when I was pushing my other son through drifts of blossom in his pushchair. I sprinkled petals over him and it really did look like snow. My editor then suggested a Christmas book and I instantly thought of myself as a child, worrying that Father Christmas wouldn't find me when I was away from home for Christmas. So there wasn't a great plan to write Fletcher's Four Seasons, but after autumn, spring and winter stories it seemed right to add a story for summer.
And as the seasons keep changing, and Fletcher keeps getting confused, he is off on four new seasonal adventures - Fletcher and the Caterpillar, Fletcher and the Rockpool, Fletcher and the Rainbow and Fletcher and the Stars.
|
|
Tiphanie based her wonderful illustrations for Fletcher on a soft toy - here are two photos of the original Fletcher, and the first sketches of him I saw. |
|
|
Fletcher and the Stars (October 2022)
As Fletcher looks up at the night sky, the stars flicker out one by one - and Badger is scared of the dark! Fletcher has a plan to help the stars shine again, but as he and Badger race through the winter woods, they find it's not easy to reach the stars... and help can come from unexpected places. 'This is a beautiful beautiful book. A sparkling story of friendship and discovery. I think it might just be my favourite Fletcher yet.' Jennie Edspire 'Tiphanie Beeke’s gorgeous illustrations glow even brighter… What a perfect match for Julia Rawlinson’s equally evocative, poetic text.' Red Reading Hub 'We’ve read a few books from the Fletcher collection but this one’s my favourite. It’s perfect for our bedtime story on this cosy autumn evening.' Posie’s Book Club |
|
Fletcher and the Rockpool (June 2022)
When Fletcher tumbles happily onto the beach he is dazzled by the sun, sea and space. He soon finds a rockpool full of new friends… but as the sea disappears, they are stranded! Fletcher rushes to the rescue and manages to scoop up Little Crab… but do Fletcher’s friends really need rescuing? 'Tiphanie Beeke's soft glowing paintings...are a perfect match for Julia Rawlinson's lyrical, wonderfully warm words as they both pay poetic tribute to the summer seaside' Red Reading Hub 'The story is quite adorable' Whispering Stories ‘All children will adore the Fletcher books that always have a glittering surprise ending.’ Bookread2day |
|
Fletcher and the Rainbow (August 2021)
When Fletcher sees a dazzling rainbow, he is determined to help it shine forever. Guided by his friends, he chases it through the dripping wood, but the rainbow soon starts to fade. When the last scrap of colour is gone, Fletcher feels he has failed - until he realises something wonderful! 'Fletcher and the Rainbow will melt your heart and lend a quiet joy that will last all the autumn season, and all the year through. Charming, quietly adventurous, imaginative, delightful…filled with autumnal warmth.' - Fallen Star Stories 'gorgeous colours, uplifting story, captivating scenes and science ideas aplenty' Red Reading Hub 'a stunning book to ease into autumn stories. Julia Rawlinson's lyrical text is a joy to read aloud and Fletcher’s animal friends are all so cute and filled with character' - Jennie Edspire |
|
Fletcher and the Caterpillar (March 2021)
Fletcher finds a caterpillar under a juicy green leaf. With the help of his friends, he introduces it to lots of games. But all it wants to do is munch. When Caterpillar stops munching, Fletcher is worried… but as spring turns to summer, something magical is about to happen! 'Lyrical and flowing, light, alive with colour and nuance, full of curiosity and wonder, sings with springtime!' - Fallen Star Stories 'A delightful, gentle story exploring friendship and the joys of nature, 'Fletcher and the Caterpillar' is sure to become a firm favourite' - North Somerset Teachers' Book Award 'The picture of the butterfly is my favourite, I love the gold bits' - Books Up North Kid's Book Review |
|
Fletcher and the Snowflake Christmas
It's Christmas Eve and Fletcher has had a terrible thought - what if Father Christmas can't find the rabbits' new burrow and deliver their presents? But luckily Fletcher has an idea... 'Rawlinson's descriptions are transporting' - The Horn Book 'Once again, Rawlinson's atmospheric, creative language and Beeke's textured, childlike artwork are richly satisfying and they evoke the sensory pleasures of the winter woods as well as the comforts of friendship and close community.' - ALA Booklist 'The gentle, simple story is deftly told with just the right amount of suspense and a nice balance of dialogue and exposition. Beeke's glowing pastel illustrations in her irresistible style captivate readers with their unusual hues and textures.' - Kirkus Reviews |
|
Fletcher and the Falling Leaves
Fletcher’s very worried. His beautiful tree is losing all its leaves. Fletcher tries everything he can to save them, but it’s just no use. When the final leaf has ‘plipped’ off, Fletcher feels all hope has gone... until he goes back the next day and a glorious sight awaits him! ‘Will make children gasp with delight’ – ALA Booklist ‘Softly glowing illustrations are perfectly matched with the warm and lyrical text’ – Kirkus Reviews 'This potent synthesis of art and prose conveys a child's first awareness of the changing seasons with reverence and wonder' - School Library Journal (Starred Review) |
|
Fletcher and the Summer Show
The wood is alive with the joyous sounds of summer. But Rabbit is sad: she can't sing, or chirp, or even croak! So Fletcher has an idea... with the help of his friends, he sets about putting on a show. Rabbit may not be able to chirp or sing, but her talents are sure to dazzle when she takes to the stage! 'Evocative, gentle, a joy to look at and utterly magical' - Fallen Star Stories 'A beautifully illustrated book. A sweet story of how everyone has a talent. A great book to finish the Fletcher series' - Amazon review 'The artwork is just jaw-dropping' - Amazon review |
|
Fletcher and the Springtime Blossom
When Fletcher tumbles down the hill into the sunny orchard, he can hardly believe his eyes – there’s snow on the ground! Off he rushes to warn his friends that spring hasn’t yet arrived. But could there be another explanation for the glorious white display? ‘Captivating’ – Publishers Weekly (Starred Review) ‘This is a great book to share one-on-one or with a class to celebrate the season’ – School Library Journal 'Preschoolers will love being in on the joke, even as they marvel at the bright petals that herald the astonishing beauty of spring' - ALA Booklist |
|
Other Formats
The Fletcher books have been animated for DVD by Scholastic / Weston Woods. The animations are also available on Amazon Prime and Youtube Movies and the stories are available as CDs and audiobooks. 'Alliterative and evocative, the rich, well-crafted language stirs the senses...This high-quality selection will serve as a seasonal feast for the senses and provide inspiration for budding young artists and writers who love nature." - School Library Journal Starred Review (Fletcher's Seasons Story Collection) 'With gentle music by John Jennings, this appealing story about nature, seasons, feelings, change and compassion is recommended.' - Video Librarian Starred Review 'This reassuring tale will comfort and prepare children who are in the midst of change in their own lives... a lovely package for classrooms, libraries and homes.' - Children's Literature The Ferdie books have been read as Cbeebies Bedtime Stories by Annette Crosbie, Kimberley Walsh, Holly Willoughby, Floella Benjamin and Frances Barber, and people have created all sorts of amazing things including plays, art exhibitions, story trails and puppet shows based on the books - I love seeing what you are up to! |
      |