The Tale Of The Wicked Old Woman And The Very Nice ‘Beast’ Of Crouch End, written by Lance Lee and illustrated by Nathalie Toro-Retivoff, is a truly sweet story told through elegant writing and enchanting imagery.
Lee presents a modern retelling of a classic tale of misunderstood magic and small acts of redemption.
This myth-based story is set in England’s Crouch End, where a disillusioned, unnamed old woman, was once full of joy and promise. She wields magic, but after her heart was broken, her spellcasting turned harmful—she now freezes flowers, for instance, with a touch. Her fate becomes entangled with those of a girl named Daisy and her feline companion. As the people of the town grow scared, and then weary, of the cat’s unusual behavior and rapid growth, Daisy’s and the woman’s lives and stories intertwine. The woman has been bitter for so long that she’s almost forgotten the happy person she used to be, but Daisy’s quiet courage and the cat’s mysterious presence chip away at her defenses, revealing a core of kindness that she thought was lost forever. The townsfolk’s fear, fueled by rumor and whispers, is set against the account of the quiet but undeniable bond forming between these unlikely friends, which makes for an intriguing contrast. Retivoff’s expressive full-color and black-and-white illustrations help to bring the deliberately paced tale to life, and the narrative balances the tones of folklore with imaginative delight. Profound lessons reveal themselves softly as names carry secret powers, appearances deceive, and the release of pain brings unexpected beauty, renewal, and hope. The story allows the reader time to reflect on its meanings, especially toward the end, when Daisy breaks the symbolic spell at its center. The stylized prose and theme may appeal more to older readers than very young children, but its message is universal. Fans of poetic storytelling and gentle magical realism will particularly enjoy this tale.
A gorgeously unusual, emotionally redeeming parable with plenty of heart and just the right touch of magic.
In the vein of classic fables and morality tales, Lee’s latest is a charmingly illustrated retelling of the Persephone myth, beginning with a woman and her beautiful Daughter, who one day notices the boundaries of their small, happy existence and asks her mother what lies beyond. That innocent question gives birth to a thirst for new worlds and new people for the Daughter—and a malignant jealousy in her mother, who can’t “bear the thought of such beauty going out of her life, or even of sharing her with anyone else.” When true love steals her Daughter away, the woman’s grief becomes larger than life, turning her “old and wrinkled” and settling an icy winter upon her village.
Lee (author of The Tale of Mr. Crocodile Takes Tea) uses that heartbreaking beginning as a lesson on grief, bitterness, and, eventually, hope—which arrives in the form of Daisy, a young girl who brings springtime blooms to everything she touches. When Daisy catches the attention of the Old Woman, her special gifts drive the Old Woman, simmering with resentment, to leave a curious kitten on Daisy’s doorstep. That kitten—whom Daisy names Little Boots—grows into a colossal beast that physically terrorizes everyone around Daisy, presenting a powerful metaphor for how grief can become all-consuming and dangerous when left unresolved. In a clever twist, Daisy recognizes the dangers brewing within her pet and breaks the spell by pointing out the Old Woman’s treacherous grief is triggering her cat’s behaviors.
Nathalie Retivoff punctuates those reflections with vintage-like drawings that call to mind classical fairytales, depicting the gripping chill of the Old Woman’s grief and the power of Daisy’s warmth—portrayed in the vibrant blooms that spring from her touch—to overcome it. Children, and their adult readers, will savor this subtle but compelling reminder that hope, love, and beauty can drive away even the most crushing sorrows.
Takeaway: Inspiring tale of hope and love overcoming crushing grief.
Comparable to: Brenda Maier’s The Little Blue Bridge, Mordicai Gerstein’s I Am Pan!.
Great illustrations and good to have the myth at the start of the book to set a tone, and the first words making it relatable for the reader. Sentence structure is a bit haphazard to begin with. I understand if the idea was trying to make it like a fairy tale but if aimed at children, some are long and a bit hard to follow, but I can sense a rhythm in the shorter sentences.
The questions at the start of the chapters make it seem deeper and not so much a kids story which is good as it's aimed at children and parents. The theme or moral seems to be about finding beauty where others may not see it, and how easy it is to lose sight of the beauty in life. The old woman cherished her daughter, who ran away and she seemed unable to find joy in anything else. Until she meets a young girl, who is unaffected by her appearance and without knowing it, they find a connection.
There are two stories cleverly interwoven where the sadness of the old woman and some magic changes the little girl and her family's life, and we learn that when you live in bitterness, it isn't living. Would suit maybe ages seven to eleven but the basic principles of kindness and finding beauty all around you, and accepting change are things that are shown throughout and would probably reach younger ages too.
Return to Crouch End and hear the fable of Daisy and Little Boots.
Based on the Greek mythology story of Demeter and Persephone, an Old Woman is left bitter by her daughter going away with a handsome stranger. Years later a young girl, Daisy is growing up in Crouch End and flowers seem to grow wherever she goes. Then there’s Little Boots, a magical Cat that doesn’t seem to stop growing. The community are worried and want them to leave, blaming Little Boots for trouble in the area. Will the Old Woman succeed in driving Daisy and her family away?
This is an interesting fable that introduces the Greek myth while also nurturing it into a wholly new story. This is a quick light-hearted read that would be great for young readers that like traditional tales. The lovely colourful illustrations by Nathalie T. Retivoff brings the characters to life and young readers will enjoy seeing how big Little Boots is growing. I laughed at the image of him sitting beside Mr Timmidson. Daisy is a bright, positive character that young readers will enjoy meeting in this quick, magical tale.
The Tale Of The Wicked Old Woman And The Very Nice ‘Beast’ Of Crouch End by Lance Lee begins in a once idyllic valley that later became Crouch End, where an Old Woman, revered as a healer, lost her beloved daughter. Heartbroken, she grew bitter and isolated, causing endless Winter to settle upon the land. Over time, London grew and swallowed the valley. In the present, a girl named Daisy unknowingly attracted the Old Woman’s attention. One day, a golden kitten appeared at Daisy’s door, and she named him Little Boots. As he grew abnormally large and began causing mischief, the townspeople turned against him, their fears encouraged by the Old Woman. Daisy defended Little Boots, but the townspeople demanded his removal. Little Boots, no longer just a cat and with his fate uncertain, had become the feared 'Beast' of Crouch End.
The Tale Of The Wicked Old Woman And The Very Nice ‘Beast’ Of Crouch End, written by Lance Lee and illustrated by Nathalie Toro-Retivoff, is a truly sweet story told through elegant writing and enchanting imagery. The narrative gently unfolds the transformation of a bitter old woman’s world through the joyful spirit of a girl named Daisy and her unusual cat. The illustrations beautifully complement the text, featuring delicate monochrome sketches within the story pages alongside full-page artworks in a muted jewel-tone palette that adds warmth and depth to the tale. The combination of Lee’s smooth prose and Toro-Retivoff’s thoughtful artistry creates an inviting atmosphere that captures the charm of the setting and characters. This book makes a lovely read, celebrating kindness and change in a quietly magical way that lingers pleasantly after the final page. Very highly recommended.
The Tale Of The Wicked Old Woman And The Very Nice ‘Beast’ Of Crouch End is a children's fable by Lance Lee. A long time ago, there lived an Old Woman in a little valley hidden from the outside world by a hill. The Old Woman had a beautiful daughter of whom she was very possessive. But when her daughter leaves home after falling in love with a handsome stranger, the Old Woman grows more bitter and resentful with each passing day. Years later, a young girl named Daisy finds a little orange kitten in a basket, whom she names Little Boots. As Little Boots gets bigger and bigger, the Old Woman schemes to break Daisy's heart by putting Little Boots in a zoo. Can Daisy break the Old Woman's spell on Little Boots?
The Tale Of The Wicked Old Woman And The Very Nice ‘Beast’ Of Crouch End is a cautionary story about how spite and malice corrupt people's hearts and spread misery all around them. Author Lance Lee tells the story in the style of an old fable, which will certainly appeal to young readers. Additionally, the central characters, aside from the Old Woman, are very likable. Children are going to love Daisy and Little Boots. I found their bond adorable, and Little Boots growing into an increasingly larger cat was hilarious. Nathalie T. Retivoff's beautifully drawn illustrations are another highlight of the book for me. The artwork adds color to the characters' personalities and makes them more relatable to the reader. The story ends on an optimistic note, leaving you filled with hope. In conclusion, it's a fantastic picture book for kids.
What if the Greek myth of Persephone and Demeter was retold not with gods and goddesses, but with a modern twist? That’s what Lance Lee has set out to do in The Tale of the Wicked Old Woman and the Very Nice ‘Beast’ of Crouch End. Set in present-day London, we are introduced to Daisy, a joyful young girl with a green thumb, and her pet, Little Boots, who keeps growing until the town begins to see him less as a pet and more as a menace. Meanwhile, a long-ago heartache has turned an old woman into a presence that can bring winter, chilling gardens, neighborhoods, and community spirit. When Daisy and Little Boots cross paths with the old woman, something has to give, and it’s not what anyone expects.
Lance Lee’s storytelling is lyrical. The writing has a classic fairy-tale rhythm but with tongue-in-cheek humor interspersed with magic, making it a perfect read for bedtime or classroom story time. The story gently nudges us to consider how sorrow can harden the heart, and how joy can thaw even the iciest spell. The pacing is just right, especially for shared reading, with each chapter flowing into the next. Daisy is a fantastic heroine; she’s kind, clever, and brave in her own quiet way. The old woman and her tragic backstory add complexity to the reason for her bitterness. Illustrator Nathalie T. Retivoff has added a touch of wonder and awe to the story. Her art captures the duality of the story – the grey world of the old woman and the vibrant, bright world of Daisy. Her work invited me to linger on each page, even as the story urged me to read further. Both playful and poetic, The Tale Of The Wicked Old Woman And The Very Nice ‘Beast’ Of Crouch End is a story to be shared across generations.
