The Barrel in the Basement

By Barbara Brooks Wallace

Book Overview

This is a story about furkens, descendants of a branch of genus elf, who have lost their elfin powers of being able to vanish and now hide fearfully in human houses. They are sadly often mistaken for mice, although don't smell like mice. They smell like warm apricot jam

They are "endearing, fully developed creatures," says Horn Book.

ALA Booklist adds, "A tale that will have readers clamoring for a sequel."

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595343996
• ISBN13: 9780595343997
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 148 Pages
• Weight: 0.43 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 4 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 7

Customer Reviews

The greatest

The Barrel in the Basement is the greatest!!! Two little elves, also called Furkens, are looking for a new place to live. One of them is Pudding, and one of them is Muttle. On their way they bump into a cat, who wants to eat them. A long time ago, the Furkins looked very different, they didn't have all the hair that covered their whole bodies except their faces, they wern't scared, rather they were very brave, and most of all, they lost their ability to vanish. Now they looked almost exactly like one of their greatest enemies: Mice. But they smelled like warm apricot jam. By telling this to the cat, the cat finnaly let them go. Then they came across a beautiul house. In the basement they found a barrel. It looked just like a Furkin's house should look. Inside they found an old Furkin. His house is filled with funiture made from wood, and eats only Furkin food. The big questions that Pudding and Muttle are wondering are: How does the old Furkin keep himself from being noticed by the human who lives in the house? And where did he get all the furniture? I found this a great book. It had adventure, lessons, and even funny parts!!! I recomend tjhis book for everyone to read. Enjoy!!!

Good fantasy book for children

Meet the world of Furkens - the race of Elves that has forgotten how to turn invisible. This book is like "The Hobbit" for kids. It is well written, imaginative and fun. The book left my child and I wanting to know more. We're eager to read the next book about their adventures.