"I Tell You Never Give Up"

The new MG Fiction novel by Maria Andreas

Enter a world of squirrels and gnomes with Johnny and his friends Tatiana, Paulo and Josiane. This magical novel, suitable for young readers aged between 7 and 11, reinvents the Marvellous, leading us into a world so enchanting, absorbing and magical that we hardly notice the richness of its lessons for life. With its light (some might say squirrel-like) touch, themes such as dishonesty, rivalry, despair, and failure are dealt with tenderly and with humour, leaving the way open to share in the joy of living, friendship and hope.

"It’s a world that’s filled with beauty and wonder, imagination and magic. It’s a place where animals talk, care for one another in an animal hospital, and share stories. It’s a world where love and kindness triumph. In this world, the friends learn valuable lessons in the forest about nature, patience, persistence, bravery, sharing, choices, family, and the beauty of life. (The squirrels may remind some readers of Mr. and Mrs. Beaver from C.S. Lewis' beloved classic, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe.)" Kristy L. reviewer

As you might expect of a creature who needs to store his food in the earth and build his home in a tree, Gab cares about the natural environment. His wife, Raphaela, is especially gifted at sharing her passion for nature with the four friends...

Raphaela…

Proud to lead her little troop, along the banks of this mountain pool, which she knows by heart.

The green water, sometimes dark, sometimes slightly silvery, offers a warm welcome.

 "It's the life we came here to seek!” says Raphaela, inviting them to sit down.

 “This pool will know how to keep our secrets and it will be a companion in our conversations. Because my angels, the first key to total freedom is to speak and share!” – chapter 11

But Raphaela has to hand it to the gnomes, their dedication to preserving nature has to be seen to be believed!

“We treat every injured animal as soon as we can. Come this way!”

Abba Barnabas leads them to the entrance of the animal hospital.

Gnomes are carrying stretchers, on which lie hares, fawns, deer, foxes, birds, hedgehogs...

And on tiny stretchers, caterpillars, bees, butterflies... – chapter 18

Twenty-six chapters, 130 pages, of magic realism and real life to marvel at, cherish, and be inspired by. Covering topics such as grief, making and losing friends, changing family relationships and positive thinking. And what about Gab...? Is he as enchanting as our website suggests he is? Short answer... Yep! (And yes, he DOES indulge in a bit of hip hop too.)

The squirrel, far from being shy, looks at Johnny with a mischievous eye.

 “Hello, my name is Gab!”

Johnny barely jumps. Everything is so natural. So wonderful. So true…

 "I'm Johnny!”

 "I know… "

Then the squirrel is silent and observes him with his adorable little muzzle and his eyes that seem more human than squirrel, more human than all the eyes that Johnny has met... – chapter 5