Description

Rusty Strikes Back is a lightly probing and captivating children’s book that highlights the importance of British farming and the negative effects of the family farm tax, while documenting key historical events alongside the unfolding of the current crisis, making a bold and powerful statement through the eyes of a farm child.

The story is based on my seven-year-old son, Finley, and his loyal combine harvester, Rusty, as well as his magical bumblebee, Bea. They are busy collecting letters from all the farm children across the land. Their mission is to deliver the letters to Number Den, to the Greedy Fox and his Mischievous Rats, to help them see the error of their ways, lifting the magic spell, banishing the family farm tax, and protecting the future of their little farming friends, before it’s too late.

It is a beautiful and thought-provoking story of love, kindness, resilience, and hope, filled with magic and wonder, told with the heart and imagination of a real farm child. The book also lightly touches on mental health and wellbeing, gently exploring the emotional pressures faced by farming families, while offering a message of courage, unity, and support.

Rusty Strikes Back invites children to become part of the story by writing a letter or drawing a picture to share their thoughts and feelings through the eyes of a child on their Instagram page @rustystrikes_back while celebrating their artwork, sending a strong & powerful message to the Greedy Fox.

Rachel & Finley will be donating a portion of each book sale to their chosen charities to raise money to help support their beloved farming Community. (Farming Community Network & Macmillan Cancer Support)

Join on their magical adventure and help undo the magic spell before it’s too late!

Reading age 6-10yrs, Print Length 35 Pages, English Language, Published 11th March 2026