Books For Keeps
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Articles
  • Past Issues
  • Latest Issue
  • Authors and Artists
  • Latest News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
May 5, 2016/in Fiction 5-8 Infant/Junior /by Angie Hill
BfK Rating:
BfK 218 May 2016
Reviewer: Stuart Dyer
ISBN: 978-1408865859
Price: £9.99
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
Genre: Fiction
Age Range: 5-8 Infant/Junior
Length: 144pp
Buy the Book

Freddie Mole: Lion Tamer

Author: Alexander McCall SmithIllustrator: Kate Hindley

Alexander McCall Smith’s new book for children is a charming rags-to-riches story. There are few places more exciting for children than the Big Top and the dream of running away to join the circus is inherent in all of us. For one boy, Freddie Mole, the circus is not so much a dream as gainful employment to help his family.

Freddie’s family are poor. Despite his dad’s best efforts as a washing machine repair man, the Mole family struggles to pay the bills and mum is forced to earn a living on cruise ships. Freddy is a kind and friendly boy and his mates always make sure he is invited to parties and events but, of course, they have to pay for him. This feeling of being unequal to your peers is one with which all children will empathise, and it is described sensitively with humour and without sentiment.

Fate deals Freddie a well-earned slice of luck in the shape of a circus tent’s broken washing machine. All of a sudden, an opportunity opens up as an apprentice and Freddie never looks back. He tackles the dizzying heights of the trapeze and the daunting task of an entire circus crew’s pile of washing up, and impresses the ringmaster (and the reader) with his work ethic and positive attitude.

It is not just Freddie who impresses. Every character has endearing qualities of kindness, generosity and open mindedness, even the curmudgeonly lion-tamer who may or may not be about to abscond to Peru. It is this optimistic and sanguine quality of McCall Smith’s writing that affords his books such lasting appeal. Freddie Mole and his new colleagues show us that hard work and good friends are all anyone needs to succeed in life…even if you can only afford one and a half pairs of socks! Some readers may be disappointed by the lack of any discernible villain or threat, but children looking for action and adventure should look elsewhere – this is a simple, gentle, heart-warming story.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png 0 0 Angie Hill http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png Angie Hill2016-05-05 18:57:002021-07-03 17:58:11Freddie Mole: Lion Tamer

Search for a specific review

Author Search

Search







Generic filters




Filter by Member Types


Book Author

Download BfK Issue Bfk 272 May 2025
Skip to an Issue:

About Us

Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.

Read More

Follow Us

Latest News

Margaret McDonald and her editors Alice Swan and Ama Badu win the 2025 Branford Boase Award

July 9, 2025

‘The magic of poetry by heart’ Champions of the 2025 National Poetry Speaking Competition Announced

July 8, 2025
IBC

New National Year of Reading launching January 2026

July 8, 2025

Contact Us

Books for Keeps,
30 Winton Avenue,
London,
N11 2AT

Telephone: 0780 789 3369

ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).

© Copyright 2025 - Books For Keeps | Proudly Built by Lemongrass Media - Web Design Buckinghamshire
The Story of a Seagull and the Cat Who Taught her to Fly Alphonse, That is Not OK to Do!
Scroll to top