Description
CBCA award-winning picture book author Edwina Wyatt makes her fiction debut with a whimsical tale of a curious little girl who shares more than just her surname with the moon: They're both excellent secret keepers.
Magnolia Moon is nine years old, likes Greek mythology, her best friend Imogen May (who understands the importance of questions like, "If you could be one fruit, any fruit, what would you be?"), wishing trees, and speaking crows. She knows instinctively that buffadillos are armadillos crossed with buffalos and believes there are walramingos living in her garden. She's also the kind of person who can be entrusted with a great many secrets.
Each chapter in this novel, which captures Magnolia's year of being nine and ends on Chapter Almost 10, reveals a secret that Magnolia is keeping. But the novel also chronicles a year of change for Magnolia. From her best friend moving to the birth of her little brother Finnegan, Magnolia navigates every challenge and secret that comes her way with the kind of authenticity and innocence that comes from being nine years wise.
Review
Magnolia Moon is a 9-year-old girl with a wonderful imagination who loves to think of time relative to other things. For example, when she was three minutes early she mused that this was a lifetime if you were a piece of toast or a soft boiled egg.
She loves to spend her mornings in the middle of her parents’ bed, each with their own place, with Mama on the right, Daddy on the left and Magnolia in the middle. But will this all change with the arrival of a Baby Moon?
Spending time with her Grandma, learning about insects and the environment is special to her too. As is her friendship and shared secrets with Imogen May, until Imogen May moved to the country.
Being nearly 10 is causing Magnolia some worry, but in her lovely whimsical way she will face all the challenges and everything will turn out fine.
Produced as a beautiful hardback, when you open this book it feels like opening a gift. And as you read Magnolia’s story it feels like a special gift to love even more.
Will most appeal to girls aged 6 to 10 who love a beautiful story.
Reviewed by Rob
