Have you met Rupert?

If you are a Pagan parent or someone who buys books for Pagan kids, you're probably already aware of the lack of books - and quite frankly a lack of quality books - in the genre.  While both fiction and non-fiction books in this area for teens has really been starting to come around in the last few years, books for the younger set really lag behind.

That was the first reason that I was excited to get a copy of Rupert's Tales: The Wheel of the Year - Beltane, Litha, Lammas, Mabon by Kyrja.  A book about an adorable rabbit and sabbats?  Yes, please!  Then I picked up the book to flip through it, and holy hey the illustrations!  Seriously, if my kids were younger, I'd absolutely be buying a second copy of this book so that I could frame and hang the illustrations on the wall.    Did I mention adorable rabbit?  In addition there are fairies, the sun and moon, other creatures and gorgeous nature pictures - all done in super rich colors and beautiful detail.  Even kids who don't read independently yet will want to sit and flip through Tonia Benningon Osborn's gorgeous illustrations over and over.  (And I might yet put the picture of the on page 7, of women standing, hands clasped, in a circle on my own wall.)

And then, finally, I sat down to read the stories.  Rupert's Tales is done in rhyme, in that sing-song rhythm that is just begging to be read aloud.  As Rupert meets friends who help him learn about the sabbats, those who read or listen learn a great many lessons themselves as natural parts of the story.  In "Rupert's First Beltane", Rupert learns the meaning of Beltane from a owl. At one point of the story, he meets some impressive new friends:

"But when he turned to look at her, standing in the white owl's place,
Was She who has many names and man who had green leaves for His face."

And Rupert learns a few other things along his path to learning about the Pagan holidays as well, such as the satisfaction of helping out his new friend, Melvin the mouse.

Rupert's Tales would make the perfect gift for a Pagan family with young children or a great book to donate to a school or library (Yule is right around the corner...)

For those who get a copy of this book (or want to learn more) be sure to check out the Friends of Rupert website!  You can find puzzles, info on book signings, workshops and purchase some gorgeous posters!



Find out more about the author and illustrator and read other reviews:

• An interview with the author and illustrator by Patti Wigington
• A review by the Pagan Dad, complete with a giveaway!
• Visit Rupert on Facebook

This is post copyright to the author. It may not be reposted, reprinted or distributed in its entirety without express written permission of the author. Links to the article can be freely shared and are very appreciated!