Nina P.
A jewel of a book, Thank-you so much.
Ida H.
The Firebird is a beautifully written and illustrated retelling of a fable that I simply cannot stop reading!! I read it through once, read it aloud to my husband so that I could "practice" my voices for when I read it to my granddaughter and enjoyed it just as much the second time!!! The words are so beautifully descriptive! My granddaughter, who is 5, also loved every second of it and wants me to get more of these little books for her!!! It's truly a treasure!
Ali R.
I love this colourful and beautifully illustrated retelling of The Firebird...sure to be one I return to again and again
Robert R.
Delightful book! Beautiful illustrations!
Nan S.
These folks that I recently discovered are amazing!
Incredibly creative thinkers and talented artists!
Tom is a remarkable storyteller and the books he and Rima have produced together
are delightful and so unique in this fast-paced technological society that we live in.
I keep ordering more artwork and books for myself and friends.
Joyce T.
I bought Firebird for a friend who is being treated for cancer. She was thrilled with it especially since the story is appropriate to anyone meeting a huge challenge in life and trying to find the personal resources to deal with it. Beautiful illustrations accompany an ancient story of good winning through.
Terry W.
My 6 year old grandson was very reluctant to have a different story from Harry Potter.
He was pulled in from the start - engaged and asking questions, eager to study the illustrations and talk about the story.
A shared experience we’ll repeat.
Elaine A.
Beautiful book and great service as always x
Adam J.
What's not to love about this little gem of a book? Beautifully printed, exquisite illustrations and a charming story. It took a little while to reach me in Australia but it was well worth the wait. Thank you!
Claire K.
Such special beautiful work... excited to be sharing your gifts with our boys x
Annie H.
The absolute magic of this book, in its perfect form, cannot be told. You will find it when you carry it to your fireside and read and re-read, as it rounds and rolls to a better finish each time. This is a story for telling, deliciously told with truly powerful illustrations to carry it further into the realms of story. As another reviewer wrote, this is a perfect present for anyone who loves stories.
Laurie M.
Tom's retelling of this folktale is completely engaging and clear. It takes the reader deep into their own life and on from there into a strong imaginal world. Best of all, it rings true from a mythic perspective, with enough of Tom's details to be relatable and enjoyable, yet remaining true to the underlying truth of the myth. Well done, Tom.
Linda L.
A colourful, thoughtfully illustrated retelling of the Firebird story. Tom Hirons’ word artistry is perfect for engaging attention on FaceTime with my grandsons.
John E.
Lovely book. Well printed with beautiful illustrations and brilliant use of words. Compelling and evocative. A great addition to our library. Thank you Tom and Rima. Xx
Miss P.
I read this to my class and they were utterly mesmerised and kept repeating all day 'You think this is trouble...?
Hilary L.
Right on time. A small packet arrived on a perfectly grey and nearly rainy summer evening, The Firebird's wild radiance truly lit up the whole house. Rima's mystery-filled illustrations, (including the hand drawn borders on each page and red feather end mark), lend a magical yet tender quality to the narrative even when the subject is the gnarly old king! Each drawing is a draw deeper into the story being told. And the retelling of this story is masterful and enlivened. Thank you, Tom. A treasure to be shared through the years to be sure. This beautiful little book is not just a story, it is a bright medicine brimming with powerful horse wisdom and the vivid cleverness of the pelagic feminine.
Jackie C.
Beautiful story telling, gorgeous illustrations. You can sense the care and attention to every tiniest detail, from where and how the paper is made, to the look of every page. Sumptuous.
DAVID P.
This is definitely NOT just another version of the "Firebird" you know! Apart from the lavish illustrations, it is also a vivid retelling full of surprises, a big little book which begs to be read aloud.
Charlotte H.
I love that my second copy of this wonderful book arrived to give me solace as the first copy is languishing on a shelf of a locked room, being guarded by the fiercest known adversary in the world; the school site manager.
Claire M.
Tom and Rima's technicolour transmission of the Firebird boldly and brazenly kicked me up the ass somersaulting me onto the back of the Firebird and into a timeless mytho-poetic adventuring woven and weft of my wildest dreams. I am still going, not yet having come up for breath from this wildish mythological marathon unravelling all the deliciously shitty gold that the Firebird feeds on.
Thank you Tom and Rima, the rich everythingness of your shitty gold feeds us all in reams and riches Mind need not fathom. I offer a knees bent, snout to the ground, deep bow to the magik you are weaving and the deeps treasures birthed of your compassionately courageous re-unioning.
In and as Love dancing on the wings of the wild and furious prayers our futures are made manifest through ... xxx Claire/ Wild Ally
Hilary J.
A wonderful little present for nearly anybody
Karen S.
I bought this book for a friend but loved it so much I ended up buying it for myself too.
Luisa N.
I bought this exquisite jewel of a book to celebrate the birth of my second son, and it will forever remind me of those precious, exhausting first few days of his life on Earth. As always, Tom’s words and Rima’s images combine to create a breathtakingly beautiful whole.
The Firebird joins our copies of Sometimes A Wild God, which we proudly own in book and poster format.
We cannot wait to read these works to our babes when they are old enough!
Kathryn B.
I recently bought this book for a little girl, age 7. She liked the story, but she was really enchanted by Rima's color illustrations – they truly make this classic tale come to life.
Tim C.
A quality produced book. Pictures are lovely - well written - love the 'feel' of this book is so lovely.
Elizabeth S.
Gorgeous artwork and story
Susan H.
such a wonderful book. Love the story and art work.
Judith O.
Stunningly beautiful! I am proud to own it
Susan P.
A beautiful book and lovely to read.
Brenda M.
Everything about this book is exquisite. The artwork and colors are sublime.
The quality is exceptional.
Paige H.
I love this old story and Tom and Rima’s rendition is a beautiful treasure!
Gail B.
Lovely written little book with brilliant illustrations. Thank you so much.
Susan H.
Carefully crafted precious things in word and in picture, linking us to those ancient tales which we must not dismiss but rather, in this turbulent times, listen to, look at, heed once more.
Meredith W.
Beautiful and exciting. This book caused part of my mind to wander off for adventures, and I laughed out loud on the bus. A wonderful telling, highly recommended for everyone.
Robert A.
If you can't make it to one of Tom and Rima's magical Hegespoken events, reading The Firebird is the next best thing. Get it for your the child in your inner or outer life.
Anita K.
All the family love this hold-in-the-hand sized book with its fabulous tale of sea queens and wise horses, its wonderfully chosen words to tell out loud, its magical illustrations and the touch of its beautifully soft smooth paper and quality of print.
anita h.
I grew up on Russian fairytales. This book has a richness and beauty, the gorgeous illustrations and a jolly good story. Divine.
Freyalyn C.
Magical, rich and gorgeous - like a tiny tapestry in the hand. Wonderful for reading aloud, to yourself or to children of every age.
Helen A.
Well made book and well told tale. The Art work is in colour and it compliments the story in a wonderful way. This copy is for my youngest daughter's Birthday. This is an enchanting story. I'm buying a copy for myself.
All the best,
Helen
Sarah W.
Im planning to do some story telling at the primary school where I work as part of the emotional literacy support work I'm starting but was waiting for a story to appear when this little gem came to my attention! So this version of the Firebird will be part of that re-telling. So thank you for helping to bring the story to me.
Therese D.
A wild and beautiful book to treasure.
Melanie M.
This book is such a little treasure.
It’s such a fun to read. I’ve read it alone and with my children, who love the story and roll around laughing when Mummy does the funny voice of that mean old King!
A wonderfully told tale full of interesting fun language and Rimas darkly beautiful artwork throughout makes it even more special.
Anna M.
A stunningly beautiful book, both illustrations and story. I treasure my copy. Thank you
Suzy P.
The photo is me reading my dog Oisín a bedtime story . I have been lucky enough to be part of a day workshop with Rima, who is so talented and inspiring and also lucky enough to listen to Tom storytelling... I love this book for many reasons, the story is the perfect fairy tale, the illustrations are beautiful and the whole presentation is perfect. Thankyou Rima and Tom , love Suzy and Oisín
Suzy P.
The photo is me reading my dog Oisín a bedtime stiry
Greetje P.
Lovely, like all the work of these two people. Thank you for your magic!
Geoff K.
What a treat to have a combination of Rima's art and Tom's words in a creative package. Thanks for the re-telling of a marvellous story. I can imagine sitting by the fireside with a cosy group, listening to this. Hopefully I will be able to in the future, as I have done in the past. Fuggo
Della R.
A familiar story, lovingly retold and enhanced with beautiful imagery. Lovely little book.
melanie G.
A jewel of a little book - a bit like a hug by the fire on a cold winter's evening, or a hot mug of your favourite soup after a breezy walk. Words balance pictures beautifully and are written with empathy for tradition but also with modern folklore in mind. Always a pleasure to soak in Tom's lyrical and multicoloured country-field-walk words (with just a hint of damsel fly or crow flying past). Rima's glowing visions of the story are generous but not overpowering, and as always her use of colour palette and decoration are a delight to ponder over, almost making you believe that you discovered them accidentally by torchlight in the deepest darkest woodlands... Get me... ;) x
Loved it.
Your friend in fancy notions xx
Jo C.
The Firebird is a wonderful story, full of drama and intrigue, beautifully retold by Tom Hirons and illustrated by Rima Staines. I had to buy 2 copies - one as a gift and one for me to keep... both copies are already loved and treasured by their owners. I have no doubt I will be buying more copies in the future to give away! Thank you for inviting us into the magical world of stories Tom and Rima x
Kelda W.
A joy - a beautiful book and captivating words. Brings back happy memories of sitting in the sun with my children and hearing The Firebird told at Buddhafields festival.
Frances E.
If you should choose to gift this lovely little book, for to delight someone special... or perhaps as a personal present to grace that end table beside your own favorite chair... you will not be disappointed. The cover art, the interior design, the illustrations, and the production are all of high quality; the author's voice in this re-telling of a fairy tale is engaging and happy-hearted.
Read the story aloud to your companion at night when the day's work is all done, or read it silently in front of the fire with a cat purring in your lap. It's small enough, I assure you, so that even a very large feline can squeeze in underneath it. Either way, enjoy and...
May the Firebird fly always free, entering--with a willing heart--into your dreams from time to time, to flicker across the dark sky in your presence, or to roost in your favorite oak tree.
Jacqueline H.
The story was delightful and gripping! I plan to purchase more for nieces and nephews.
Nuria Q.
This beauty was a present to myself and I was not disappointed! The story, the telling of the story and the illustrations are simply marvellous and met or exceeded my expectations. Ah, to be enchanted again...
john m.
This beautiful little book is a wonderful read with some of Rima’s exquisite illustration
Emma W.
I was really excited to receive my copy of the fire bird. As always With Tom and Rimas work it's a beautiful piece of art. The words and stunning illustrations are Magic. A wonderful gift for my friends little boy.
Thank you
Cryn H.
Real storytelling beautifully illustrated. Makes me want to hear it spoken live.
Sheila b.
This is a beautiful little book, the story is told with pace and a touch of humour, and I could hear the story teller's voice as I read it.....and I read it straight away, couldn't wait to open it.
The border decoration and pictures add to the mystery and magic of the tale and it will be enjoyed by many of my friends and family over the years, as I share the tale,
Sheila
penny r.
This is a beautiful rendering of an old tale. Made for reading aloud, sharing and showing. For the first time, this particular telling has led properly to see the different stages in the tale. The paintings, beautiful each one, show the stages too. My favourites are the first and the last, the Horse and the Firebird. The book is lovely to hold, just the right size for bag, pockets and small hands. Gorgeous.
Charlotte H.
This is one of my very favourite stories; Tom and Rima's version brings it vividly to life. I also love the way the book sits in my hand, like a good story should. It also begs to be shared and I plan to read and share this.
angela h.
We sat on the sofas and took turns to read each chapter to each other, Me, my sister and our daughters... we loved the richness of the story, playing with the words. Just loved it. X
Karen S.
The Firebird is another beautiful Hedgespoken creation to add to my collection of magical words and illustrations from the otherworldly hand and heart of Tom and Rima.
Joanna V.
A gorgeous book and a fabulous re-telling of this lovely story- it’s like sitting in a warm scented bath eating violet creams and sipping iced elderflower presse - utterly indulgent and delicious. Thank you
Gina D.
I was stunned when my wonderful book, The Firebird, arrived. It is even more beautiful in the flesh, as it were. Rima's illustrations are so evocative and beautiful. The quality of the paper used is also very pleasing and tactile. I am running out of superlatives. I bought this as a present but can't bear to give it away! Tom's tale telling skills are also brought to the fore in this lovely gem of a book. If you are looking for an exceptional present for a (careful) child or an adult, look no further. Utterly stunning.
Martin H.
A beautiful book. A classic story superby well (re) told by Tom Hirons with the added bonus of several full-colour illustrations by the genius that is Rima Staines. Good paper, well printed, nice binding all with sustainability well to the fore. I cannot recommend it highly enough
Janet R.
This is a beautifully illustrated book, which would grace any book shelf. You can feel how lovingly it has been made. I enjoyed the story & the message it sends us all.
Annette S.
This is a wonderfully narrated story! It is best when read aloud because of the melody of language. And the paintings of Rima are bewitching. I just love this little book.
Lisa M.
This is the perfect sized book that can go anywhere with you. The pictures are gorgeous and expressive themselves. I really enjoyed the retelling of this Russian tale. It's now one of my favorites!
Julie R.
A gorgeous melding of words and paintings to tell the classic Russian folktale. Reading this feels like being a child held spellbound by words and immersion in imagination lit from behind by moonlight.
