The Tale of Sheldon the Snail - Softcover

Ratsey, Michael

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1787881393 ISBN 13: 9781787881396

Publisher: Nightingale Books, 2024

Synopsis

Sheldon, a young Roman Snail, lives in an old man's walled garden where he is much loved and respected by the other small residents. In early spring he emerges from hibernation and starts to rediscover his surroundings, but on the garden grapevine he hears the local magpies, led by the fearsome Moriarty, had been on a raid, and stolen away the previous year's baby frogs. Only one has survived. In the garden pond, Poseidon, the old grandfather frog, is so depressed by the loss of his little ones that the various small creatures, including a large spider, newts, woodlice, bees and many others realise there has to be a plan to prevent this from ever happening again. And also to seek some revenge. They turn to Sheldon for his wisdom and masterminding. He forms a committee which includes the centipede with healing skills and Poseidon's grown up nephew, who has who has returned to the garden to offer support. Moriarty and the clan do reappear on a sultry August day but a surprise is in store, all masterminded by the intelligent young snail.

About this title

About the Author

Brought up on a rather remote Somerset farm in the 1950s and 60s with three brothers, Michael Ratsey learned to amuse himself alone. Walking miles, the woods, fields, hedgerows and the life within them became his companions. But the cows were his greatest love. After a public school education which he attended as a day-boy, the dreamed of dairy farming life was no longer an option so he headed off into the world of teaching. Twenty years in, suddenly he decided to stretch himself academically and within a year completed a Masters Degree in Environmental Biology at Swansea University. Shortly after this he was diagnosed with a health issue and was warned his life expectancy might be only 5 years. To keep himself busy and sane, he painted water colours, wrote in various genres, swam a mile twice a week and became an authority on snails. It was during a time on dialysis the idea of writing a children's story was generated... Loving his garden, he lives in a National Trust cottage in Somerset with his old collie dog, Wolfie.

Edition details

• Publisher: Nightingale Books
• Publication date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1787881393
• ISBN 13: 9781787881396
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 152