Iron Robin: A magical and soothing story for young readers

by Rose Tremain, Richard Jones (Illustrations)

From an acclaimed voice in literature comes a children's story steeped in magic...

Oliver loves birds - watching them soar into the sky and wishing that just sometimes they would stay close.

So when he discovers a robin made of iron, he thinks he's found the perfect friend - even if his pet dragon isn't quite so certain! When the robin begins to glimmer and hop, Oliver is overjoyed, but in a terrible turn of events, this new friend is lost. But the magic of Iron Robin and the joy of friendship means that there is wonder and excitement ahead for Oliver...

Join Oliver on the start of his adventure, with this lyrical and funny story which explores friendship, loyalty and the power of hope. Iron Robin is the perfect bedtime story to share together.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

Published May 18, 2023

About the author

Dame Rose Tremain is an acclaimed English novelist and short story writer, celebrated for her distinctive approach to historical fiction and her focus on characters who exist on the margins of society. Educated at the Sorbonne and the University of East Anglia, where she later taught creative writing and served as Chancellor, Tremain has produced a rich body of work spanning novels, short stories, plays, and memoir. Influenced by writers such as William Golding and Gabriel García Márquez, her narratives often blend psychological depth with lyrical prose.
Among her many honors, she has received the Whitbread Award for Music and Silence, the Orange Prize for The Road Home, and the National Jewish Book Award for The Gustav Sonata. She was shortlisted for the Booker Prize for Restoration and has been recognized multiple times by the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction. In 2020, she was appointed Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire for her services to literature. Tremain lives in Norfolk and continues to write, with her recent novel Absolutely and Forever shortlisted for the 2024 Walter Scott Prize.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not sure this book could be considered as soothing.

Oliver, who often feels lonely, finds an iron robin that starts to move on his own, for some unknown reason (I guess this why the story is called magical).
The boy decides he needs to share the bird with his classmates and against his mother’s wishes, he takes the bird to school, only to loose it to a bunch of older kids that steal it (without any kid of consequence) and it ends up getting stuck on the roof of the school.
By some miracle the tiny bird saves the school from catching on fire, when lighting hits it instead of the roof. It then starts to move again and Oliver can take it home.

What is the lesson? Let big kids bully you and maybe you’ll end up saving your school from a fire?

[I Read, Therefore I Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose Tremain’s debut picture book has some beautiful writing but it isn’t clear if Oliver’s affinity for the robin comes from loneliness, although I did enjoy the snarky Draggi. Richard Jones’s illustrations are superb and really get across Oliver’s isolation and the robin’s magic. All in all, I think it’s a good read but the open ending and the fact that some of the themes are not fully explored may make it go over some young readers’ heads.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little boy finds an iron bird and makes the mistake of taking his treasure to school. When his new friend goes missing he is very sad. There's a nice ending and although I thought this was going to be a bit cheesy it was enjoyable and the illustrations are very nice.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very winning slice of magic, as a lonely boy finds a new 'friend' in the form of a bird-shaped lump of iron. But just because his friendly pet dragon can speak, it doesn't mean the bird will come to life, does it? Some fine illustrations make this a four-plus, easily.