Brambleheart: A Story About Finding Treasure and the Unexpected Magic of Friendship

by Henry Cole

Overview

From the beloved illustrator and author of A Nest for Celeste comes Brambleheart, a beautiful tale about nature, imagination, and how love is the greatest thing we build. With stunning black-and-white artwork and a gorgeous package, Henry Cole’s animal fantasy adventure harkens back to Brian Jacques’s Redwall and Avi’s Poppy series.

In the Hill, animals work as Weavers, Smelters, and Carvers—but Twig doesn’t know who he wants to be. He tries very hard in all his classes, but his imagination wanders to his favorite books or the delicious mayapples growing beyond the scavenge yard . . . and then he loses his focus.

After Twig makes a big mistake in front of everyone, he sets out on a secret journey to discover himself. But as he wanders deeper into the Yard than he’s ever wandered before, Twig finds a curious colored globe. A dragon’s egg—which hatches in front of his eyes.

Now protecting the baby dragon is all Twig wants to do. But when he learns that his secret might hurt others, he’s forced to make a choice between his place in the world and the feelings in his heart.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780062245458
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	04/16/2024
Series:	Brambleheart Series , #1
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	277
Sales rank:	154,855
Lexile:	720L (what's this?)
File size:	29 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	1 - 12 Years

About the Author

Henry Cole was a celebrated science teacher for many years before turning his talents to children’s books. He has worked on nearly one hundred and fifty books for children, including Unspoken, Big Bug, A Nest for Celeste, Jack’s Garden, and On Meadowview Street. Henry loves being outside, where he can sketch and write. His favorite sound is the first robin song of the spring. You can visit him online at www.henrycole.net.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Brambleheart: “Cole’s black-and-white pencil drawings are earnest yet emotionally sharp. Nestled in a small trim size, this is an appealing and accessible genre blend.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Fantasies wrapped around the secret, almost human world of woodland animals are perennially churned out and eaten up by young readers. Throw another fantastical animal into the mix-a dragon-and there are sure to be plenty more kids who will buy in.” — ALA Booklist

“Twig is what all heroes - large and small - should be: charming, courageous, and kind. Delightful!” — Lisa Fiedler, Author of The Mouseheart Trilogy and Stage-Struck

Praise for A Nest for Celeste: “Evocative illustrations, compelling characters, and thoughtful reflections on the nature of home combine to powerful effect.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“A rare gift: a novel with artwork as whole and vital as a picture book’s.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“The softly shaded pencil drawings bring the story to life through Cole’s exceptional ability to imbue animals with personality.” — ALA Booklist

From the Publisher

Twig is what all heroes - large and small - should be: charming, courageous, and kind. Delightful!

Lisa Fiedler

Fantasies wrapped around the secret, almost human world of woodland animals are perennially churned out and eaten up by young readers. Throw another fantastical animal into the mix-a dragon-and there are sure to be plenty more kids who will buy in.

ALA Booklist

11/01/2015
Gr 4–6—Twig just isn't like anyone else he knows. Despite being well-meaning, sensitive, and thoughtful, the little chipmunk can't seem to fulfill the expectations of his teachers or his community. On "the Hill," aptitude in crafts is the only acceptable route to prestige and a named place in the social hierarchy. Twig tries, but he'd rather read picture books and dream than practice his knots or brush up on his lousy welding skills. When a chance adventure ends in Twig and his best friend, Lily, assuming responsibility for a baby dragon, Twig's skills get a boost but his future becomes even more precarious. What does he truly want? Who does he want to be? In this sweet but slightly heavy-handed illustrated fable, Cole tackles large themes with a gentle tone. Failure, frustration, family, and friendship are at the heart of this sweet tale, and loyalty and camaraderie are the driving forces of the simple plot. The ending, which includes a surprising about-face from a secondary character, feels rushed but leaves the story pleasingly open-ended. VERDICT A good pick for proficient younger readers who prefer gentler themes.—Katya Schapiro, Brooklyn Public Library

School Library Journal

2015-10-06
A young chipmunk finds his path. Twig lives with other rodents and small mammals on the Hill, which is made of discarded metal, plastic, and rubber. But this isn't dystopic pollution—narrative descriptions are romantically pastoral, with golden sunlight, sweet-smelling earth, bird song, and bees in honeysuckle. Twig's problem is school: he doesn't merit being named master of any specialty (such as Weaver, Smelter, or Carver) at the upcoming Naming Ceremony and will be forced to work as a scorned, lowly Errand Runner. Venturing farther afield than he's ever been—down a river he's never seen—Twig finds an egg that hatches into a dragon in front of his eyes. Animal-fantasy purists will be as surprised as Twig himself. Sneaking the dragon home, Twig faces issues of integrity. The dragon's fiery breath welds metal for Twig's school projects, which is cheating; encaging a dragon is wrong. Freeing it, on the other hand, might free Twig, too. Twig's friend Lily, a rabbit, stays by his side, and an enemy inexplicably turns friend. Textual platitudes are dull stuff but easy to skim over. What's special are Cole's black-and-white pencil drawings, earnest yet emotionally sharp. Many are full-bleed pages; some convey information that the text doesn't, such as the fact that the Burrow of Confinement (the Hill's prison) is an abandoned front-load washing machine. Nestled in a small trim size, this is an appealing and accessible genre blend. (Fantasy. 6-10)

Kirkus Reviews