Boo! How are you?
Dear Friend,
Why will trees wave their top branches at you once you have learnt the magical secrets found in my book? Why do leaves change colour over the seasons and fall off in winter? Why should we care about nature and each other? There are some explanations out there, but do you truly believe in magic? Come and explore the hidden world of nature and its best kept secrets found just outside your window! I will show you the way, but only if you promise to care for our planet, be kind to others and can keep a secret about the wonderful world of “Outside”. Don't forget the secret map found in my book and discover the clues about the real places where it all started by looking at the photographs and clues found below. Good luck!
Yours truly
Franacken Petalblower
PS Schools and adventurers SCROLL DOWN!
PPS No leaves were harmed in the making of these adventures.
5 star reviews
“The children loved this highly imaginative series of stories. Not only did they want to hear more at bed time but it made them want to go for more walks in the woods to look for Franacken and his friends! Highly recommended.”
“My children’s new favourite. The clever map allows them to follow the story and the illustrations are beautiful. Please write another.”
“Such a lovely children’s story book with lovely illustrations. Living in Bucks I know the woods and can envisage where the story is set.”
"Such an enchanting bedtime read, I love the way the book is connected to real places found on the secret map and author’s website. My little brother loved it and is asking me to take him to the magical woods!"
So what are my adventures all about? Well, here is my book description :
Explore a hidden world just outside your window! The fascinating mysteries of nature are revealed in this imaginative collection of beautifully coloured illustrated tales for young children. The book contains eight exciting adventures brought to life with more than 50 coloured illustrations and is over 100 pages in length.
You probably think you know why leaves change colour in the Autumn or who keeps the forests clean…but you would be wrong. In this delightfully clever new book, The Secret Adventures of Franacken Petalblower and Friends, author G.J. Bunce, spins a series of magical yarns “explaining” the most mystifying events of nature.
The book provides an alternative account of nature’s wonders, all based upon the little folk no bigger than half of your thumb who live in the world called Outside. Franacken Petalblower, with his multi-coloured hair, green cape, pyjamas and yellow boots, is our story’s protagonist. At 346 years old, he is still very young by little folk standards, who can live for 2,000 years give or take a century.
The first story has naughty Franacken, an overly enthusiastic painter, using his art skills by painting on the unfortunate bodies of all the pets and creatures in the woods where he lives. The Elders were not happy about this at all and considered what to do with the young artist. Franacken is saved from his fate by a good witch who tells him to paint the leaves on the trees instead. The results surprised and pleased the Elders. Franacken's previously rejected artistic skills were now heralded and put to good use to celebrate the four seasons of the year.
Many other adventures and secrets of the world just outside your window are shared all leading to an exciting battle with a rather nasty Who Man - Mr. Williams. There is even a map to help you find the real places where it all happened!
Families and educators of young children will delight in these twisted tales of nature and the imaginative tiny folk who secretly live among us. Young readers will be entertained by the storytelling narrative style and also learn the value of the “Outside” world around us and how every person, no matter how different from them, has their own special talent.
Franacken's Quiz
Are you ready? Then here we go!
Clues to find where the first adventures took place. Good luck!
First, you will need the secret map found inside my book and then here are some photographs to help you:
1st photograph - The Very Sacred Tree found in Weedonhill Wood
2nd photograph - The Naughty Step found near a hollow in Bray's Wood and it's smaller than you think!
3rd photograph - The path to Pining Forest. Walk straight on and then turn left at the end. After 200 or so Big Who Man steps, turn right and head downhill!
4th photograph - The Pining Forest. Home of Grouchy Gobman and Tigerbella Firelight. Do say "hello" from me!
About G. J. Bunce - The Good Who Man who wrote about my adventures!
Author
Author Bio - G. J. Bunce
Children’s book author G. J. Bunce loves to write magical stories for children that read like folk tales. His debut picture book story collection, The Secret Adventures of Franacken Petalblower and Friends, is a series of tales about a secret world just outside our windows, that provides delightfully imaginative explanations for why things happen in nature, led by tiny folk wearing tinier capes.
As with many book-loving children, Bunce was enchanted by great writers like J.R.R. Tolkein and Roald Dahl as a young reader and started writing his own stories at a young age. In fact, Dahl lived in the next village over.
When he became a father, his two young sons became the receivers of his many exciting story adventures which add fun twists to reality, preferring those over their own children’s books. This and his family’s support led Bunce to pen his collection of stories for all children to enjoy. He hopes that his book inspires his young readers to go on their own adventures and appreciate nature, long after the book is closed.
Bunce is also a lawyer and lives with his wife, a willow sculptor and illustrator, in a village in Buckinghamshire. The surrounding countryside is the inspiration for the setting of his stories where he still enjoys walking to this day. When he’s not writing magical tales for children, Bunce, formerly a lead singer in a rhythm and blues band, enjoys music, live performances, and country life.
Email - gjbunceauthor@gmail.com
For Schools - Meet the author
How about a fun nature and geography project based upon the book or an author Q&A? Schools should email the author to learn more.
Be warned, the pupils do get very excited so best let them go outside afterwards to find Franacken and his friends or name some trees having learnt the magical secrets of nature found in the book. Don't forget the map!
