Jimmy Finnigan's Wild Wood Band - Story Snug

Jimmy Finnigan’s Wild Wood Band by Tom Knight

Jimmy Finnigan’s Wild Wood Band is a great story for showing how important it is to follow your dreams and it also conveys the positive effect that music can have in life. Jimmy loves music and wants to start a band but when he can’t find anybody in his village to join him he ventures into the wild wood…

The Story: Jimmy Finnigan lives in a ‘nice’ village but he is warned about going into the wild woods. When Jimmy discovers Dad’s old records he becomes a musician and decides to start a band but the villagers tear down his posters. So Jimmy ventures towards the wild woods where he discovers a group of animals playing instruments. A wild wood band is formed but how will the villagers react?

Jimmy’s village is just too perfect so when Jimmy starts to make music it’s frowned upon and his efforts to create a band are thwarted by the villagers. Despite the repeated warnings to stay away, frustration drives Jimmy towards the wild wood where he seizes the opportunity to follow his dream and play in a band with a wolf, a bear and a beaver. But his actions also have an impact on the villagers.

We love the way that Jimmy changes his look from nice and neat to ‘rockstar’ as the story progresses, the humour in the illustrations portrays the change in the way that he does his hair and wears his school tie. We love Tom Knight’s illustrations and it’s hard to pick favourites. I love the pictures of Sergeant Marchant who, due to the low crime rate in the village, spends a lot of his time knitting for an unusual clientele!! My daughter loves the picture of the animals practising their different instruments, she especially loves the big bear who plays the drums.

Jimmy Finnigan’s Wild Wood Band is a fabulous story to include in a school topic on music and instruments. Children could choose an animal and a musical instrument and paint them for a classroom wall display. Painting to music is a fun classroom activity and can really inspire children to get creative and feel the beat of the music as they paint.

Age Range: 3 +

Author / Illustrator: Tom Knight

Thank you to Templar Books for sending us Jimmy Finnigan’s Wild Wood Band. We’re so happy that Jimmy’s dream of being a musician comes true!


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20 responses to “Jimmy Finnigan’s Wild Wood Band by Tom Knight”


  1. Debbie Roberts avatar

    Hi Catherine, this sounds like a fun book and anything that encourages a child to follow their dreams is a winner. It sounds like a fine example of not following the crowd too.

    Thank you for linking up with the #MMBC.

    xx


    1. Catherine avatar

      Yes, not following the crowd is also a good way of looking at this story ๐Ÿ™‚


  2. Shell Louise avatar

    This sounds like a lovely book. It’s a bit young for my girls, unfortunately.


    1. Catherine avatar

      It’s a fun story, I love Jimmy’s determination to form a band ๐Ÿ™‚


  3. Acorn Books avatar

    We love this one too ๐Ÿ™‚ great idea about painting whilst listening to music #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      I did class painting to The Lion King once which was a mistake! The children all painted jungle pictures!!


  4. Fiona Cambouropoulos avatar

    Love the sound of the changing look as the book progresses #TriedTested


    1. Catherine avatar

      Jimmy’s look gets wilder like the wood!!


  5. The Reading Residence avatar

    Looks like a fun book and with such a positive message, too.


    1. Catherine avatar

      It’s great that Jimmy’s determination leads to him forming his band and he’s not put off by the negative views of others ๐Ÿ™‚


  6. Yet Another Blogging Mummy avatar

    This sounds a fun book. My son’s school report has suggested he take up an instrument, so he’s considering whether he would be interested #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      I hope that your son finds an instrument that he likes. Playing an instrument definitely changed Jimmy’s life in this story!


  7. BookBairn avatar

    I love it when music and books come together! Great recommendation – one for BookBairn to grow into!


    1. Catherine avatar

      Music and books are a fantastic combination ๐Ÿ™‚


  8. Sarah MumofThree World avatar

    This sounds like a lot of fun with really positive messages too. I will have to track it down for my niece and nephew ๐Ÿ™‚


    1. Catherine avatar

      We love the way that Jimmy’s music doesn’t just change his life…!


  9. Chantelle Hazelden avatar
    Chantelle Hazelden

    This sounds like a really motivating book! Thanks for sharing with #readwithme


    1. Catherine avatar

      It’s a fun story. We love a musical picture book ๐Ÿ™‚


  10. Jayne @ Sticky Mud and Belly Laughs avatar

    What a lovely book and brilliant that it encourages kids to follow their dreams ๐Ÿ™‚

    Thanks so much for joining in with #MMBC. Hope to see you next week x


    1. Catherine avatar

      It’s a really fun story for showing children that music can help them express themselves too.