Finders of Silverthorn Forest: The Faraway Adventure
Tuftorious Snook awakes while his fellow Finders hibernate, and he cannot get back to sleep. He decides to break the strict rule against seeking the Faraway Forest, a place whither many Finders set out, and whence none of them returned. Tuft’s own parents were among those lost, and his aunt Timordora has become a cautionary tale for the young.
Undaunted, Tuft sends his most precious belonging, his ‘rainbow pearl’ to his human friend, Max. Owing to a misunderstanding of the nature of the postal service, Tuft ends up in Max’s house. Owing to Tuft’s persistence, Max ends up in the New (in Tuft’s mind, the Faraway) Forest.
An engaging tale, told with a cheerful vigour that is an enjoyable read. The illustrations are apt, and are mingled with the text, which is always a lovely effect, breaking up the text which is dialogue-heavy. Tuft and Max have a more quarrelsome relationship, which seems sometimes shrill. Most of the on-page adventures centre on Max, while Tuft disappears on adventures that are recounted later. Max’s relationship with the snotty-then-nice Elle at the adventure camp in the New Forest is well-observed, and the discomfort of wet clothes, seemingly endless treks, and insufficient food will ring dolorous bells for anyone who ever went out underprepared for a hike. The danger and discomfort of a storm earn the festive ending, when Tuft has the returning hero’s hour of tale-telling glory.
The second story in the series following Finders of Silverthorn Forest: The Lost Treasures.
