Zeb, Gaspard and the folding bicycle
See the real Gaspard in this BBC News video
One day a little fox appeared outside Zeb's home. It was magical to meet a wild animal in the middle of the city. It visited every night after that and everyone agreed it was the handsomest fox in London. Zeb started to write about its adventures and now people all over the world send messages to Gaspard. What would you ask a little fox if you met one outside your front door?
ZEB SOANES
Zeb Soanes grew up in the seaside town of Lowestoft, surrounded by animals. He now lives in London and, aside from writing books, is the presenter of Relaxing Evenings with Zeb Soanes on Classic FM, the UK’s most popular classical music station. For over 20 years he was an authoritative newsreader and reassuring voice of the Shipping Forecast on BBC Radio 4. Sunday Times readers voted him their favourite male voice on UK radio. He presents concerts with the UK’s leading orchestras, performing favourite works for children including Babar the Elephant, Paddington’s First Concert and Peter and the Wolf. In this tradition, his books, Gaspard’s Foxtrot and Gaspard’s Christmas are also exciting narrated orchestral works by the composer Jonathan Dove. Zeb studied Drama and Creative Writing at UEA and has written for The Observer, Country Life and The Literary Review. His first book in the Gaspard series, attracted praise for representing foxes more sympathetically than their sly literary predecessors, for which the Mammal Society made him its first patron. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Suffolk in recognition of his ‘outstanding contribution to education, music, media and literature.’
You can help the Mammal Society log sightings of foxes using the free Mammal Mapper app.
JAMES MAYHEW
Illustrator and author James Mayhew lives in the Suffolk countryside, surrounded by wild animals and nature, with big skies, full of light - perfect for artists. Amongst his other titles for Graffeg are The Knight Who Took All Day (adapted as a work for narrator and orchestra by Bernard Hughes) and illustrations for the Mouse and Mole series (by Joyce Dunbar), animated for television with the voices of Alan Bennett and Richard Briers. He is also the creator of the Katie art books and Ella Bella Ballerina series. He has worked with many orchestras and musicians including the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, painting illustrations live on stage to performances of classical music, including The Firebird, Scheherazade and Pictures at an Exhibition. A winner of the 1994 New York Times prize for illustration, his many other titles include Koshka’s Tales and illustrations for Mrs Noah’s Pockets (by Jackie Morris). James makes all his illustrations with traditional tools, mainly using pen and ink, and watercolours. He created his own new shade of ink especially for these books, which he calls ‘Gaspard Red’.
Meet Gaspard the Fox as he sets out one summer evening in search of adventure and something to eat. On his travels he meets a superior cat named Peter and Finty the dog, who help him navigate the local canal in his hunt for supper.
This enchanting and humorous picture book celebrates urban foxes and their relationship with the other animals and humans with whom they share the city. A warm-hearted story about friendship and being accepted for who you are. The first in a series of urban adventures with Gaspard and his friends by the broadcaster Zeb Soanes and best-selling illustrator James Mayhew.
“I loved reading about the adventures of Gaspard the Fox. More please!”
— Francesca Simon
“The children's book to watch out for”
— Sunday Times
“A modern day classic”
— South Wales Evening Post
“Gaspard the Fox is quietly groundbreaking”
— Ian Eagleton, author of Nen and the Lonely Fisherman
“A brilliant story”
— browzly Top 10 enchanting books for 5-6 year olds
Gaspard and Peter set out on a new adventure to find Finty at the local summer fete. When Gaspard unwittingly gets entered into the fancy-dress dog show, chaos and hilarity ensue in this fun-packed sequel to Gaspard the Fox.
“I’ve been gasping for more of Gaspard…and here it is!”
— Julian Clary
“A wonderful tale about celebrating difference and triumphing against the odds”
— Clare Balding
Gaspard accidentally boards the Number 38 bus and has a thrilling fox-eye view of the sights, sounds and smells of London, but how will he ever get home? At Hyde Park he finds himself at a classical concert celebrating the city’s wildlife, and becomes front-page news when he trots out on stage.
This exciting third adventure for London’s handsomest fox has been adapted as major new narrated concert work by the composer Jonathan Dove.
“This is a lovely story, beautifully illustrated and speaks to the hearts of all children, young and old.”— Marin Alsop, conductor
“Another wonderful tale of the exciting adventures of Gaspard, our urban fox friend, beautifully told and illustrated. A real treat.”
— Dame Patricia Routledge
“The wonderful thing about Gaspard the Fox is that it’s hard to imagine a time when he was never there. He has the look and sound - in the words and pictures on the page and, no doubt, the music of the orchestra - of a classic. Three cheers for Gaspard!”
— Philip Ardagh, Roald Dahl Funny Prize winning author
“A love letter to London”
— BBC Music Magazine
Hear Zeb read an extract from Gaspard’s Foxtrot
Whist searching for food in the snow-covered streets, Gaspard makes an astonishing discovery and, with the help of his friends, might just save Christmas. A heart-warming festive adventure for London’s handsomest fox. Royalties from this book help people throughout the UK out of homelessness.
This festive fourth adventure has also been adapted as a narrated concert work by the composer Jonathan Dove.
“Gaspard already has the feel of a classic. Zeb Soanes and James Mayhew have created something both modern and timeless. A children’s story absolutely lifting with charm and atmosphere.”
— Alexander Armstrong, Classic FM
“Delivers all the festive feels in this timeless tale — BEST CHARITY BOOK, 2022”
— The Independent
“Few books leave a mark on your soul — this is one of them.”
— @busy_busy_learning
Hear the song, Christmas is Here, from Gaspard’s Christmas
Peter the Cat is a favourite character from the Gaspard the Fox series of books, known for his use of BIG words. Here, Peter explains some of his favourites, including a simple explanation alongside a phonetic spelling and illustration to help children understand how to pronounce each of them.
'A heart-warming, spirit-lifting, brainstretching feast of fun – fantabulous!’
— Gyles Brandreth
‘This is such a special book for getting children interested in and using big words. I love it!'
— Scottish Book Trust
