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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
I read this with my 8 year old, and he absolutely loved it! He loved it so much he chose to dress up as Charlie for World Book Day at school this year (2025).
The Last Firefox is a heartwarming adventure with a beautiful message of finding your “Inner Fire” and standing up to bullies and ultimately believing in yourself. It has themes around found family and friendship.
The writing style is easy to understand and is very witty and engaging. My son’s teacher actually read the first chapter to the class when my son took it to school for World book day, and the whole class were laughing out loud at the opening chapter.
There are scarier moments which are dark and sinister with a vague looming threat which could be a little too scary for some children or younger children, but it adds to the atmosphere and storyline perfectly. I would say because of this the reading age would be around 8+.
There are also plenty of lovely illustrations throughout the book which helps engage younger readers and my son loved stopping to study the pictures to help him imagine some of the moments in the book.
The blend of magic and fantasy set in our modern world works perfectly and I hope we get to see more of the other world in future books!
We also loved the fact it was set in Wales in a town similar to where we are from ourselves and to see our beautiful landscape, language, culture and people being represented in this way. I also loved the LGBTQ+ and adoption representation in the story, it’s lovely to see.
Cadno is the real star of the show however, and my son had to buy his own Cadno plushie. I read somewhere that the author took inspiration from his love of Pokemon when writing this book, and we definitely got that feeling that finding Cadno was like catching a rare Pokemon, and my son loved this element also as a great Pokemon fan himself!
Thank you Lee Newbery, we will definitely be reading your other books and we can’t wait to read the next instalment of Charlie and Cadnos journey!
The Last Firefox is a heartwarming adventure with a beautiful message of finding your “Inner Fire” and standing up to bullies and ultimately believing in yourself. It has themes around found family and friendship.
The writing style is easy to understand and is very witty and engaging. My son’s teacher actually read the first chapter to the class when my son took it to school for World book day, and the whole class were laughing out loud at the opening chapter.
There are scarier moments which are dark and sinister with a vague looming threat which could be a little too scary for some children or younger children, but it adds to the atmosphere and storyline perfectly. I would say because of this the reading age would be around 8+.
There are also plenty of lovely illustrations throughout the book which helps engage younger readers and my son loved stopping to study the pictures to help him imagine some of the moments in the book.
The blend of magic and fantasy set in our modern world works perfectly and I hope we get to see more of the other world in future books!
We also loved the fact it was set in Wales in a town similar to where we are from ourselves and to see our beautiful landscape, language, culture and people being represented in this way. I also loved the LGBTQ+ and adoption representation in the story, it’s lovely to see.
Cadno is the real star of the show however, and my son had to buy his own Cadno plushie. I read somewhere that the author took inspiration from his love of Pokemon when writing this book, and we definitely got that feeling that finding Cadno was like catching a rare Pokemon, and my son loved this element also as a great Pokemon fan himself!
Thank you Lee Newbery, we will definitely be reading your other books and we can’t wait to read the next instalment of Charlie and Cadnos journey!
I did not want this to end!
What a truly heartwarming story. Everything about it was just… urgh.
From Charlie and Cadno to Dad and spa it truly was beautiful- and way to go for making having two dads not some massive thing but in fact just a normal everyday experience - like it is for so many!
What a truly heartwarming story. Everything about it was just… urgh.
From Charlie and Cadno to Dad and spa it truly was beautiful- and way to go for making having two dads not some massive thing but in fact just a normal everyday experience - like it is for so many!
Magical adventure set in Wales where Charlie lives with his two adoptive dads. He is approaching the end of year 6 and will be starting secondary school after the summer.
As well as a loving family, which his parents are hoping to grow by adopting another child, he has two great friends who help him navigate the adventures he faces.
Which is just as well because he is shortly to find himself entrusted to protect the last firefox from the beast bent on its destruction.
Perhaps together they can defeat the bullies too.
As well as a loving family, which his parents are hoping to grow by adopting another child, he has two great friends who help him navigate the adventures he faces.
Which is just as well because he is shortly to find himself entrusted to protect the last firefox from the beast bent on its destruction.
Perhaps together they can defeat the bullies too.
I really liked this. The characters were great, the plot was good and the messages regarding courage and finding your inner fire were heartfelt. It will go without saying, but let's say it anyway... I LOVE CADNO!!!!!!!! My god, his illustrations are the cutest thing I've ever seen, no contest
This was a really fun book to read, the illustrations were great and added an extra sprinkle of enjoyment to the reading experience.
Charlie is a young boy who spends his time hanging out with his two friends. When his dads tell him that they are planning on adopting another chid, on the surface he's thrilled but internally he's worried that he's not brave enough or strong enough to be a big brother. Enter the lovely firefox Cadno!
This story is about Charlie and his friends trying to look after Cadno - a fox who literally bursts into flames whenever he feels any strong emotion -, keep away from the big bad that's trying to hunt Cadno down, while also trying to keep his existence secret from his family, the bullies at school and the general population.
But look a bit deeper and this is about a young boy learning how to be brave, stand up for himself and show all the qualities that he needs to be the best big brother possible.
This would be a wonderful book to share with any youngster who needs to feel empowered and strong - or just anyone who enjoys a good story and a fluffy mischievous fox friend!
Charlie is a young boy who spends his time hanging out with his two friends. When his dads tell him that they are planning on adopting another chid, on the surface he's thrilled but internally he's worried that he's not brave enough or strong enough to be a big brother. Enter the lovely firefox Cadno!
This story is about Charlie and his friends trying to look after Cadno - a fox who literally bursts into flames whenever he feels any strong emotion -, keep away from the big bad that's trying to hunt Cadno down, while also trying to keep his existence secret from his family, the bullies at school and the general population.
But look a bit deeper and this is about a young boy learning how to be brave, stand up for himself and show all the qualities that he needs to be the best big brother possible.
This would be a wonderful book to share with any youngster who needs to feel empowered and strong - or just anyone who enjoys a good story and a fluffy mischievous fox friend!
Another middlegrade book that I absolutely loved! It was fun, cute, a bit scary, had important topics and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time!
I love Cadno so much too <3
I love Cadno so much too <3
Adorable does not even begin to describe this stunning debut from Lee Newbery.
Okay, so, this is a beautiful story that follows Charlie and his quest to find his inner fire to not only face his bullies but to be the best big brother to his new brother or sister his Dads hopes to adopt.
While hiding an important pebble, Charlie meets a mysterious person from another world who hands him a fox, not just any fox, a Firefox. The mysterious stranger entrusts Charlie to look after Firetail until he returns in 2 days, but those days come and go with no sign of the stranger, so Charlie has to keep Firetail (now called Cadno) hidden for a lot longer.
And, so the magical adventure begins.
This book oozes love. The love between Charlie and his BFFs, Lippy & Roo. The love Charlie has for his Dads and they for him. And the new love for his fiery new pet.
I also cannot begin to express how wonderful it is to see a family that consists of 2 Dads and their (adoptive) son. Kids with the same or similar family setup will feel seen. All families are unique, and there is no one set requirement to what makes a family.
LOVE is what makes a family.
This book made me smile and laugh a lot. It delivers beautiful messages in such a delightful and easily accessible way with the cutest illustrations that add to the magic of this fantastic story.
If you love magic, adventure, and a dastardly menacing villain, this is the book for you.
I cannot wait to own a physical copy for my collection.
I give this book 5 Hoooonnnks lol (if you know, you know lol)
Thank you so much, @NetGalley & @PuffinBooks (Randon House Children’s Books UK), for the arc ebook in return for an honest review.
Okay, so, this is a beautiful story that follows Charlie and his quest to find his inner fire to not only face his bullies but to be the best big brother to his new brother or sister his Dads hopes to adopt.
While hiding an important pebble, Charlie meets a mysterious person from another world who hands him a fox, not just any fox, a Firefox. The mysterious stranger entrusts Charlie to look after Firetail until he returns in 2 days, but those days come and go with no sign of the stranger, so Charlie has to keep Firetail (now called Cadno) hidden for a lot longer.
And, so the magical adventure begins.
This book oozes love. The love between Charlie and his BFFs, Lippy & Roo. The love Charlie has for his Dads and they for him. And the new love for his fiery new pet.
I also cannot begin to express how wonderful it is to see a family that consists of 2 Dads and their (adoptive) son. Kids with the same or similar family setup will feel seen. All families are unique, and there is no one set requirement to what makes a family.
LOVE is what makes a family.
This book made me smile and laugh a lot. It delivers beautiful messages in such a delightful and easily accessible way with the cutest illustrations that add to the magic of this fantastic story.
If you love magic, adventure, and a dastardly menacing villain, this is the book for you.
I cannot wait to own a physical copy for my collection.
I give this book 5 Hoooonnnks lol (if you know, you know lol)
Thank you so much, @NetGalley & @PuffinBooks (Randon House Children’s Books UK), for the arc ebook in return for an honest review.
A truly heartwarming tale of courage, friendship and facing one's fears.
Charlie, Roo and Lippy make a wonderful, well balanced trio of friends and even the more 'supporting' characters are well fleshed out. The firefox of the title is adorable and picture perfect. It's really fast paced, with no part dragging or slowing the book down. Perfectly pitched for a primary audience.
I would definitely recommend this to Y5/6 students. I feel my Y7s might initially be put off because of the age/timeline of the story, but might be a good September read for some.
Charlie, Roo and Lippy make a wonderful, well balanced trio of friends and even the more 'supporting' characters are well fleshed out. The firefox of the title is adorable and picture perfect. It's really fast paced, with no part dragging or slowing the book down. Perfectly pitched for a primary audience.
I would definitely recommend this to Y5/6 students. I feel my Y7s might initially be put off because of the age/timeline of the story, but might be a good September read for some.
My 7 year old LOVE IT and I can see the appeal but it was abit young for my taste so 3 stars