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Have you and your child read Flying Fergus: The Championship Cheats? Post feedback on the book by 17 October to win £100 Love2Shop voucher

32 replies

SorchaMumsnet · 24/08/2016 13:32

Kids feeling inspired by the Olympics? Get them reading too - with the latest Flying Fergus story from cycling champion Chris Hoy.

It's time for Fergus and his Hercules' Hopefuls teammates to go to the District Championships, where they're determined to beat their rivals, Wallace's Winners. The problem is, the team's second-hand junk-shop bikes are proving no match for their rivals' flashy new Sullivan Swifts.

We've got 50 copies of Flying Fergus: The Championship Cheats to give away - apply now to find out what happens in this hilarious adventure! This story is perfect for ages 5 - 7.

We ask all winners to share their thoughts (and their children's thoughts) about the book on this discussion thread. However, you don't have to win a free copy to take part in the discussion - anyone who has read Flying Fergus: The Championship Cheats can post their feedback here (and you can buy the book now).

Everyone who posts on this thread before 17 October will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher.

This giveaway is sponsored by Piccadilly Press

Have you and your child read Flying Fergus: The Championship Cheats? Post feedback on the book by 17 October to win £100 Love2Shop voucher
OP posts:
MummyBtothree · 30/08/2016 10:51

Done!

Baileycakes · 30/08/2016 10:54

Done

busymummy0411 · 03/09/2016 18:24

Done

Lariflete · 09/09/2016 19:15

Wow! I got a copy today and I didn't even know we'd been chosen. DD was entranced by the Olympics, so she is really looking forward to starting this tonight. Thanks Mumsnet!

shadydelta · 13/09/2016 15:18

Wohoo just received a copy and didnt even know i had been chosen! Yay thanks mumsnet xx

buddles · 16/09/2016 18:43

I also received a copy this week with no idea I had won! Thanks Mumsnet!

MNHQ
SorchaMumsnet · 16/09/2016 18:54

Hi - oops, winners have now all been notified! Glad it was a nice surprise - happy reading!

OP posts:
redalertalpha · 16/09/2016 19:18

My son loves this book he said it was ace and then went on the website it advertised in the book to read up further on the authors and characters, great idea for all kids inspired by the Olympics

sheiladore1 · 16/09/2016 19:49

we received our book this week ,many thanks
grandaughter will enjoy it im sure thanks

Lariflete · 16/09/2016 21:50

Thank you so much for this book - DD loves it!
We finished it last night and she wants to get all the other books - I don't think you can get better recommendation than that!
DH and I were taking it in turns to read it since we received our copy so I didn't know the whole back story to Fergus' Dad not being around; some of the comments about Mum's fancy man seemed a little bit old for the target age range. It wasn't anything too terrible though, and like I said DD loved it.
Thanks Mumsnet for giving us a free copy to review.

Amaksy · 16/09/2016 21:52

Got my copy, wonderful! Looking forward to starting it with DS

pennwood · 18/09/2016 14:03

Flying Fergus: The Championship Cheats by Chris Hoy was read by an eight year old foster girl who is not advanced in reading, but she enjoyed it, & only had to ask what one or two words meant, like contemplation/antidote. Explaining the term fancy man was not the easiest to do, & not necessary in a book for this age group in my opinion. It had a theme of honesty, & not cheating to achieve goals in life which is admirable for youngsters to strive to. The illustrations were brilliant, & very thoughtful putting ten pages at the start of the book illustrating everyone , & where they live etc. Throughout the book there were plenty of illustrations to add interest & break up the writing. I would recommend the book as it has adventure, magic, good friendships, suitable for boys or girls, & a nice theme running through it.

SuzCG · 22/09/2016 11:05

Mine arrived by surprise a couple of weeks ago - glad I've worked out who sent it and then we can give our thoughts on it. Thanks Mumsnet.
It's been read by both my 10 year old son and 7 year old daughter (and me)- quite keenly, given that cycling was such a hit at the recent Olympics!
Having not read any of the previous ones we liked the meet the characters & scene setting at the start of the book. Nice message throughout the story - being honest and not cheating. Kids have both rated it 4/5 - good, easy to read book that appeals to both boys & girls.

FeelingSmurfy · 23/09/2016 17:24

Received this through the post and it was a total mystery where it had come from until I was sent an email saying I had won it Smile Thankyou MN

I have seen that the recommended age for this book is 5-8 and I would disagree with that, I would say it would be more suitable for ages 8-10.

I think that the story-line about not needing the flashiest new things would be good from age of 5, but the background story of his mum possibly having a new partner and trying to work out who it could be, should be aimed at an older age group.

Overall the book was enjoyed and there is interest in seeing whether the library have any more in the series, but I am glad it was read to/by a 9yr old Smile

NicHay · 24/09/2016 20:33

My daughter loved the book. She thought it was funny and she liked the fact there was a boy and a girl as main characters so it would appeal to anyone.

angep1969 · 26/09/2016 12:20

This is the first of the Flying Fergus books we have read and I daresay this one would have made more sense if we'd had read it's predecessors.

Having said that it can be read as a stand alone book and we enjoyed it. Some of the themes were probably a bit too advanced for my 5 year old (around Mum's love life in particular) but he really loved the illustrations throughout and the pages at the front which illustrated all the characters and where they lived.
Essentially a tale that warns you should be wary of cheats and that honesty is the best policy - always a good message to relay to kids.
I'd quite like to read the previous books to get a proper "handle" on the alternative world of Nevermore and understand more about what had happened to Fergus' Dad but I think I may wait until the wee man is a couple of years older.
It's quite nice that there is also a fan club that you can join as I'm sure this will appeal to lots of kids (especially those who have been inspired by the cycling at the Olympics recently)

hippiechick1955 · 26/09/2016 16:49

Would love to win a copy for the children

Sarah3kids · 29/09/2016 14:13

Flying Fergus - loved the presentation of this book - the introduction of characters, map and illustrations throughout. A story that tackled the family as a whole. I was pleased that family relationships/issues were discussed in an open/honest way, however, did think that the character names were a bit bonkers.

Great that it could be for any gender, made a nice change from Fairy books, thank you for our copy - will look out for the others in the series.

babyowl · 29/09/2016 20:07

This is the first book we've read from the series.

It's a strange mixture of themes for such a short read

  • competing in a bike race against peers
  • cheating vs playing fairly (especially with peer pressure)
  • valuing & looking after things rather than constantly upgrading to the next latest model, item, etc
  • dealing with a parent moving on to a new relationship
  • trying to rescue your dad who had been turned into a cat by a magician?!?

By the end of the book, these issues leave more questions than answers not to mention lots of confusion about which audience & age group the story is aimed at.

cather · 05/10/2016 22:50

My 10 year old son read this book and really enjoyed it. He especially liked the maps and pictures at the start of the book and the illustrations. We do a lot of cycling as a family so it was a really good book for him to read. He enjoyed it I have already bought the other books in the set for his birthday this month.

I did have to explain what a "fancy man" was though!

barricade · 11/10/2016 23:35

Many thanks to Mumsnet / Piccadilly Press for a copy of this book. The 'Flying Fergus' books are, of course, written by Olympic champion Chris Hoy. And the buzz from the recent Olympics will make this book highly anticipated.

Overall, this is a light, fun & humorous read, The book is presented in a delightful way, with maps and character profiles, and with crisp, cartoon illustrations by Clare Elsom. These narrative elements significantly enhance the reading experience. The text itself is, at times, slightly immature - but in a good way. After all, there's no doubt that this book is intended for adolescents, and should contain at least some of the sophomoric humour of modern-day kids. One of several books in the series, the story is great at generating interest in competitive cycling. Works well for young readers of both gender, and will sure to leave them wanting more.

anne262 · 14/10/2016 12:06

An enjoyable read with a good moral theme running through it. However I did feel it was more suitable for older readers , not so much my 5 year old. Reading the previous books beforehand would have also helped. The illustrations were very impressive and an excellent idea.

Amaksy · 14/10/2016 21:12

Update - interesting read though it felt more appropriate for older readers as quite a grown up theme running through

hutchy73 · 14/10/2016 21:30

Loved our free copy - thanks Mumsnet
My 6 year old loves cycling - no stopping him since his stabilisers came off this year. The characters are great and we really enjoyed it - will look for other Chris Hoy books

sylwright · 14/10/2016 22:46

A good book, although a bit too old for my 4 year old grandson, although he did enjoy the illustrations.

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