Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444934397 £5.99
This is the first in a new series of seven books written by the famous sports star in collaboration with an established children’s author. Although it deals with universal themes relevant to all children: the worries of starting a new school, concerns about being seen to be different and the importance of loyalty and friendship, the design of the book jacket means the appeal will be mainly for girls. Evie, just about to go to her new school, receives a mysterious parcel from her Jamaican grandmother. Soon it is clear that the magical properties of the parcel’s contents give Evie a singular new talent, as well as the ability to see the magic which is there in positive human relationships all around us. So begin a number of adventures for Evie as she begins to build new friendships and to show her mettle. This is a magic story with a bit of a twist, which makes it all the more satisfying. Evie is a plucky little character with real determination. We meet Ryan and Isabelle, the friends she wins over, have a hazy notion about parents, teachers and loving grandmothers in the background, but essentially this is a world in which a child needs to demonstrate grit and self-reliance in order to succeed. As such, it should be both enjoyable and inspiring for able Y2 and lower KS2 girls who might enjoy it in paired or shared reading as it is well written (once past the somewhat overdone three similes in the first page and a half!) and with pace. The charming black and white illustrations will also support newly independent readers. This will, undoubtedly, prove to be a popular series and worthy of a World Book Day ambassador.
Sue Barrett, retired teacher and lecturer
