Overview

A long, long time ago, a girl lived with her tribe in a cave. As she had no parents of her own, her pet cave bear was her best friend. He followed her everywhere and comforted her whenever she grew weary of all the chores she was given. So when Nell overhears some of the grown-ups planning to give Cave Bear to another tribe, she decides they must run away. So together they embark on a great adventure, following the stream from their cave down the mountain to wherever it will lead them. Together they encounter huge mammoths and wild hunters, face hunger and thirst, all the time hoping to find somewhere safe to be together. This heart-warming story is beautifully and simply told, with a delightfully gentle humour, and exquisitely illustrated.

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9781848129689

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Reviews

Martin Brown writes as cleverly as he draws. Nell and the Cave Bear is a charming story, full of adventures, humour, and friendship. We loved it! * Philip Reeve & Sarah McIntyre * I love Martin's first foray into writing fiction: a beautifully illustrated adventure, full of prehistoric fresh air, unlikely friendships and fantastic mammoths. * Sarah McIntyre * Martin writes as beautifully as he draws. It is refreshing to read a book for this age group in which a real child is at the centre of a totally relatable but exciting adventure. I know that readers will be swept along with the story, whether they are reading it for themselves or having the story read to them. And as for Nell and Cave Bear themselves, well... I'm in love. * Kristina Stephenson *

Martin Brown writes as cleverly as he draws. Nell and the Cave Bear is a charming story, full of adventures, humour, and friendship. We loved it! * Philip Reeve & Sarah McIntyre * I love Martin's first foray into writing fiction: a beautifully illustrated adventure, full of prehistoric fresh air, unlikely friendships and fantastic mammoths. * Sarah McIntyre * Martin writes as beautifully as he draws. It is refreshing to read a book for this age group in which a real child is at the centre of a totally relatable but exciting adventure. I know that readers will be swept along with the story, whether they are reading it for themselves or having the story read to them. And as for Nell and Cave Bear themselves, well... I'm in love. * Kristina Stephenson * Nell lives with her tribe in a cave, and, as she has no parents, a little bear is her constant companion. She has to work hard, helping with chores, and the bear is her comfort when life is tough, so, when she accidentally overhears the elders planning to give the bear away as a present when the tribes meet to celebrate the arrival of Spring, she and Cave Bear run away. Together they follow the stream, encountering mighty mammoths and acquiring a wildcat kitten, dodging fierce members of another tribe who want to eat the bear until, hungry and bedraggled, they find a safe haven. One sub-plot tells of a hilariously inept group of hunters from the Cave tribe, trying unsuccessfully to catch a mammoth, and another describes the journey of two of the women who set off to find Nell. All is well in the end, as an alternative present is very acceptable, so Cave Bear can stay with Nell. The names of the Cave tribe are fun - the elder in charge of everything is Mayv, and we have Soo, Porl, Daev and Kehn, among others - young readers may enjoy working these out. Martin Brown is the illustrator of the phenomenally successful Horrible Histories series, with all its associated spin-offs, and he has chosen to illustrate this, his first novel, in shades of blue, which works very well considering that this story is set in a prehistoric world. This will be fun for Horrible Histories fans, and those who enjoy humour with fanciful history. * Books for Keeps *

Martin Brown writes as cleverly as he draws. Nell and the Cave Bear is a charming story, full of adventures, humour, and friendship. We loved it! * Philip Reeve & Sarah McIntyre * I love Martin's first foray into writing fiction: a beautifully illustrated adventure, full of prehistoric fresh air, unlikely friendships and fantastic mammoths. * Sarah McIntyre *

Martin Brown writes as cleverly as he draws. Nell and the Cave Bear is a charming story, full of adventures, humour, and friendship. We loved it! * Philip Reeve & Sarah McIntyre * The illustrator of the Horrible Histories series has turned his hand to writing too - and with the bonus of lovely pictures - in this heart-warming large-font tale about a little girl and her pet cave bear who go on an incredible adventure down the mountain. Nell's runaway mission is in order to save her bear from being given away by her tribe, and in the journey that ensues the friends overcome trials and danger in order to stay together. * Absolutely Education * This will be fun for Horrible Histories fans, and those who enjoy humour with fanciful history. * Books For Keeps * Martin Brown is best-known for illustrating the Horrible Histories series, but Nell and the Cave Bear is his first fiction story. Following the adventures of Nell and her pet bear, the book's gentle humour will tickle any reader. With its core message of friendship and bravery, it is also a charming and comforting read. * The Scotsman * Nell's exciting story is fast-paced but simply told, without unnecessary details or distractions. Mounting threat is present in the form of a band of wild hunters stalking Cave Bear for his skin, while comic relief is provided by a group from Nell's own tribe, who are attempting to hunt a herd of woolly mammoths without much success. Illustrated throughout in shades of blue, the pictures add character and gentle humour to a story which is ideal for newly independent readers. * Book Trust * From truly horrible histories to a truly heartwarming adventure... renowned illustrator Martin Brown delights with his adorable young fiction debut. Nell and the Cave Bear has all the right ingredients for early readers... an exciting, easy-to-follow adventure full of new friendships, fun escapades, gentle humour, diverse animal and human characters, and all beautifully brought to life by Brown's exquisite two-tone artwork. A moving tale of togetherness with a message for the modern world... * Lancaster Guardian * Martin Brown's Nell and The Cave Bear is an altogether lighter, brighter affair. Set in prehistoric times, it follows a girl from a cave-dwelling clan and her pet bear club who go off to explore a stream while the rest of the tribe are busy hunting mammoths. Adventure ensues, as their journey takes them into the clutches of a rival clan and onwards to the sea. Brown is best known as the illustrator of the Horrible Histories series and in this, his debut novel, his writing shows a clarity and good natured-ness to match his cartooning. * The Financial Times *

Author Information

Martin Brown is the cartoonist illustrator of the hugely successful Horrible Histories series. He trained to be an art teacher in his home town of Melbourne before working as a stage-hand in the television studios of the ABC. Then, following many Australian footsteps abroad, Martin ended up in London where his lifetime dream of becoming a cartoonist was realised. After working on magazines and greetings cards, his drawing style and sense of humour found a home in children's books. He was eventually asked to team up with Terry Deary on a new project due to be called Horrible Histories. More than twenty-five years, sixty titles, and twenty million copies sold later, their books have become a phenomenon, expanding into the award winning BBC TV programme, exhibitions, games, and stage shows. More recently, Martin has illustrated Philip Pullman's New Cut Gang reissue and John McLay's Harry & Oats Early Reader titles. He has also written andillustrated his own fun non-fiction book for children, Lesser Spotted Animalss. Martin lives with his family and a shaggy, grey lurcher called Flint in the gorgeous Dorset countryside.

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