Born to Dance
Dylan and Red Tabby’s Amazing Adventures Book 1
by Katherine Reynolds
An illustrated novel for 8–12 year-olds and everyone who enjoys a good read.
A classic tale of adventure, friendship and triumph.
302 pages
Product details
Born to Dance is a timeless children’s tale of adventure, friendship, danger and triumph, set in England’s West Country.
It’s all about the exploits of a tap-dancing dray horse named Dylan de Polka, and his friend Red Tabby, a wordly-wise cat. In his day job, Dylan pulls a milk cart but, eventually, his love of dancing leads to a terrible mistake, his world is turned topsy-turvy and he finds himself facing mortal danger. Red Tabby risks life and limb to rescue him. But with their enemies out for their blood, the two friends must flee from all they know, or be captured.
As they journey on together, far from home, they stumble upon what seems like an ideal haven – the Happy Days Circus. But all is far from happy for the circus animals. Abandoned by their owners, they are in worse trouble than the two refugees. If Dylan and Red Tabby are to save themselves, they’ll have to save the circus.
Joining in the adventure are a colourful cast of characters. Irma the Elephant, Ranga Orang-utan, the Meerkat Clowns, Ringmaster Chia, Madame Lulu Bombazine, Lord Stomper and many more – not forgetting, of course, the villains of the piece, Dangerous Dennis and Clumsy Golightly.
Customer reviews
This is a lovely book – Black Beauty brought into the present – as the tap-dancing horse, Dylan de Polka, runs away to join the circus. Accompanied by Red Tabby, the adventures of the unlikely pair will prove to be irresistible to young and not so young readers. The search for Dylan’s mother involves many of the animals whose names alone will delight. Prepare to meet Ranga Orangutan, Irma the Elephant, the Meerkat Clowns, plus Ringmaster Chia, Madame Lulu Bombazine, Lord Stomper and the two “baddies” Dangerous Dennis and Clumsy Golightly.
David St John Thomas, awarding Born to Dance with First Prize for Children’s Fiction –
David St John Thomas Trust
Awards
2009 First Prize Winner, Children’s Fiction, San Francisco Book Festival
2008 First Prize Winner, Children’s Fiction, David St. John Thomas Charitable Trust.
2008 Honourable Mention, Children’s Fiction Category, Hollywood Book Festival
2008 Honourable Mention, Children’s Fiction Category, London Book Festival
About the author
Katherine Reynolds early fiction-writing was set aside in favour of film and TV work in Britain, Canada, Italy, Greece, and beyond. After a later spell in journalism she and her husband, Canadian actor, Michael J. Reynolds moved to the UK to be near a growing family. The scenic West Country inspired Katherine to write her prizewinning Dylan and Red Tabby trilogy.
Find Dylan and Red Tabby at www.dylanandredtabby.com and on Twitter, Facebook, and more.