The Tale of Jeremy Vole

Riverbank Stories #1

by Stephen R. Lawhead

The Great Blue Heron has given home–loving Jeremy Vole news of an impending flood, and he doesn’t know what to do. How can he warn all the creatures on the Riverbank? Will they listen to him? A great adventure is about to begin. Ages 6–9.

Genres: Fiction, Fantasy, Childrens, British Literature, 2nd Grade

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Stephen R. Lawhead is an internationally acclaimed author of mythic history and imaginative fiction. His works include Byzantium, Patrick, and the series The Pendragon Cycle, The Celtic Crusades, and The Song of Albion.

Also see his fanpage at Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/stephenlawhead...

Stephen was born in 1950, in Nebraska in the USA. Most of his early life was spent in America where he earned a university degree in Fine Arts and attended theological college for two years. His first professional writing was done at Campus Life magazine in Chicago, where he was an editor and staff writer. During his five years at Campus Life he wrote hundreds of articles and several non-fiction books.

After a brief foray into the music business—as president of his own record company—he began full-time freelance writing in 1981. He moved to England in order to research Celtic legend and history. His first novel, In the Hall of the Dragon King, became the first in a series of three books (The Dragon King Trilogy) and was followed by the two-volume Empyrion saga, Dream Thief and then the Pendragon Cycle, now in five volumes: Taliesin, Merlin, Arthur, Pendragon, and Grail. This was followed by the award-winning Song of Albion series which consists of The Paradise War, The Silver Hand, and The Endless Knot.

He has written nine children's books, many of them originally offered to his two sons, Drake and Ross. He is married to Alice Slaikeu Lawhead, also a writer, with whom he has collaborated on some books and articles. They make their home in Oxford, England.

Stephen's non-fiction, fiction and children's titles have been published in twenty-one foreign languages. All of his novels have remained continuously in print in the United States and Britain since they were first published. He has won numereous industry awards for his novels and children's books, and in 2003 was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by the University of Nebraska.

also write under the name Steve Lawhead

Reviews

[Sommer T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really sweet, delightful story about a introverted vole named Jeremy tasked with informing his animal friends about an impending disaster. I think this is a wonderful book for kids, and that it has a important message.

[Egbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute children's easy read book, wide cast of various animals native to England. Plot very similar to the story of Noah's Ark, though thankfully more of the citizens of Riverbank survive that in Noah's story.

[Mereda Hart Farynyk]

A sweet read-aloud to my son.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is adorable. I read it as a kid and then went searching for it online to purchase. I am so glad I found it.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books since I first read it as a seventeen year old. I just read it to my four year old and he loved it too!

[Katrina Mast · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful little story with a good point and excellent humor. A good read-aloud for children.

[Matthew Hodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've owned this one since I was a kid but finally got a chance to read it to my 5-year-old. It was a simple but surprisingly powerful story.

A vole named Jeremy is approached by a large bird, the Great Blue Heron, and told to warn the creatures of riverbank about an impending flood.

The problem is, none of them want to believe Jeremy or necessarily believe in a Great Blue Heron. And even when the weather gets worse and the water starts rising, even then Jeremy has trouble convincing his friends and neighbours.

While I could tell my son was slighly upset by how many of Jeremy's friends turn against him, as a story about telling the truth in the face of opposition and disbelief, I thought it was marvellous. I could only hope my kids learn a lesson in character from a character like Jeremy.

Now out of print, I believe.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeremy is a very quiet vole who likes nothing better than staying quietly in his snug home on the bank of the canal. During his early morning swim one morning, Jeremy bumps into the legendary Great Blue Heron, who commissions him to warn the Riverbank about the terrible flood about to hit them. All Jeremy wants to do is hide in his safe little hole, but he knows that the lives of the other animals depend on him.

I found this to be a truly delightful and inspiring story. The descriptions and various animal characters are clear and well-written. With Jeremy as the unlikely hero, I and my siblings were swept into the story of selfless sacrifice and determination in the face of impossible odds. The pen-and-ink illustrations add to its charm and authenticity.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, the kids were finally amenable to continuing. They didn't beg for it, but when I said The End, they were disappointed. So, reasonably successful. I thought it was a well-done children's chapter book.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful adventure of Jeremy Vole and his attempt to save others from an impending flood.

[Wes Bishop]

Excellent books. One of those stories I come back to every now and again. This is my favorite in the series.

[Beca Lufi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this as a kid! :)

[Luckyleafpets]

cool