MIRJAM CHAPPELL

BOOKS

THE MAGIC DODO 

TOBEY'S ADVENTURE IN OXFORD

Tobey is a curious boy who loves going on adventures. He travels to Oxford to find the dodo. Many friendly animals help him along the way. But will they succeed in finding this elusive bird?  So on they went, and on they went...

 

The Magic Dodo is a picture book for children aged 1-100. Tobey is the narrator and depicts the story, giving a magical glimpse of Oxford through the eyes of a child. The book includes maps and photos of the animals featured, and will appeal not just to locals and visitors, but to any child who likes an adventure. A perfect gift or souvenir.

 

Come to Oxford with The Magic Dodo and try to find all the animals in the city of dreaming spires.

 


De verdwenen boodschapper

van Jeroen Bosch

Thomas op avontuur in

 's-Hertogenbosch


Tobey's next adventure takes place in The Netherlands, in a town called 's-Hertogenbosch. Tobey is visiting his grandparents, and early one morning in the town centre he is asked by the medieval painter Hieronymus Bosch to help him. Tobey goes on an adventure to find the missing messenger. He encounters many creatures during his search, some friendly, and some a little scary...


The book includes a map and trail through the centre, taking you past some of the highlights of the city.


THE OXFORD DODO

The dodo lived on the island of Mauritius, off the coast of East Africa. It was a large, flightless bird with small wings, which had no predators until Dutch sailors landed on the island in 1598. The dodo became extinct around 1680.

 

In 1640 a live dodo arrived in London. Its stuffed remains ended up in Oxford, first in what became the Ashmolean Museum, and later in the Museum of Natural History. All that remains today are the skull and one foot.

 

The dodo was made famous in Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland, where the bird organises the Caucus race.

 

The legend of the dodo lives on in The Magic Dodo.


SCHOOL VISIT - READING

If you would like The Magic Dodo to visit your school, please contact me via the Contact Page. The book is most suitable for 3-6 year old children.


We will talk about extinct animals, soft toy animals, who has seen a dodo, do we live in England, or Oxford, or both?


And of course we will read the story and find out all about Tobey's adventure.


With slightly older children (6-7) we will look at the basics of story writing and create a simple story with input from the class.


Animal yoga based on the animals in the book is another option.

BUY A COPY

You can find a copy of The Magic Dodo in the following places:

 

Oxford city centre:


=> Broad Canvas art supplies

=> Waterstone's 

 

 

Online:

=> Amazon.co.uk


 

Or you can borrow a copy at the library.

 

De verdwenen boodschapper van Jeroen Bosch

is te koop in 's-Hertogenbosch bij:

 

=> Boekhandel Heinen

      Kerkstraat, of op hun website

=> Noordbrabants Museum gift shop

=> Jheronimus Bosch Art Center gift shop

=> VVV op de Markt

=> Kring Vrienden op de Parade


Book reviews


"I just wanted to thank you so much for the beautiful book written by your friend that you sent for Freddy. What a lovely book it is - I read it to him yesterday. He is a bit young at the moment to appreciate the story but he loved staring at the pictures. I thought the story was fantastic!"


Anne, Freddy's mum


"Congratulations! Your book is wonderful- a great story and beautifully illustrated. Susan brought it over last week and read it to my two older grandsons- David who is 6 and Benjamin who is 3.5. They both loved it- and after Susan had finished reading them the story- David then read the story to Susan. What fun we all had! The next morning when Benjamin came over, he asked me to read it to him again. Well- that's the best review- he loves it."


Mary Ann, Grandma


"I really enjoyed The Magic Dodo, especially the goldfish jumping out of the pond."


Bryn, aged 5


"I loved the story, the dragon at the Castle is really cool. I am happy that Kookoo gets to eat some chocolate cake as well."


Thomas, aged 5


"It was fun!"


Ellis, aged 3


"I really liked all the planets and the dodo flying between them."


Julius, aged 4


"The dodo comes alive which is great, and I love the dinosaur."


Thomas S. aged 5


"I am glad they found the dodo, that was very exciting."


Benji, aged 5


"I like Kookoo.  My best friend Elephant is now called Kookoo. The Magic Dodo is my favourite book."


Lucas, aged 5


"I like finding all the balloons. We use the map to see where my daddy travels to.  Tobey is cool."


Lucy, aged 5


"I used The Magic Dodo for our school readathon. It is my favourite book. I love the heart balloons"


Hannah, aged 6

 Print this image to colour in your own magic dodo.  Use as many colours as you like, add clouds, airplanes, rockets, aliens...
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