Gaspard's Foxtrot

Zeb Soanes is a trusted newsreader and comforting voice of the Shipping Forecast on BBC Radio 4. He has written for The Observer, Country Life, and The Literary Review and his first book for children, Gaspard the Fox, began a series of stories based on the real urban fox that visits him at home in London.James Mayhew is an acclaimed illustrator, author, concert presenter and storyteller. James is the illustrator of the highly praised picture book Gaspard the Fox series and the creator of the much-loved Katie and Ella Bella Ballerina series. He is also a recipient of the New York Times book illustration award.

Key Stage: KS1Subject area: Expressive Arts, RelationshipsKey themes: Music, London, foxesPraise for the Gaspard the Fox series:‘A wonderful tale about celebrating difference and triumphing against the odds’ Clare Balding‘I loved reading about the adventures of Gaspard the urban fox – surely a prince in disguise? More please.’ Francesca Simon, author of the Horrid Henry Series• Based on a real urban fox from north London. Gaspard has become a social media celebrity, with over 5.5K Twitter followers, his own website,www.gaspardthefox.com, and e-newsletter, ‘Fox News’.• Author Zeb Soanes is a well-known voice on BBC Radio Four’s Today Programme, Shipping Forecast and The News Quiz. He hosts live events and performs with orchestras around the UK and was voted Sunday Times readers’ favourite male voice on radio.• Over 6,000 copies of Gaspard the Fox sold in first 12 months• Full-colour illustrations by best-selling illustrator James Mayhew.• International appeal – the real Gaspard story has generated affection across the world from China, Australia and the US.• Educational – learn about urban foxes and their environment with notes at the end.• Gaspard’s Foxtrot, a musical event for narrator and orchestra with composer Jonathan Dove, narration by author Zeb Soanes and live drawing by James Mayhew, will premiere in July 2020.