One of my local independent bookstores was having a one day 20% off sale last weekend. Of course I raced (yes I did) inside and spent a happy hour browsing their children's book section. I spied the name Fleur Hitchcock on the cover of this book - I remembered I had read and enjoyed The Boy who Flew so I picked out this book and Cloud Boy by Marcia Williams (I am reading this one right now). Clifftoppers: The Arrowhead Moor Adventure is published by Nosy Crow and I am always assured of a good story from this UK publisher.
If you were a fan of Enid Blyton - either Secret Seven stories or Famous Five - you will enjoy this book and better yet you will want to share it with a young modern reader because while this story has all the elements of those older classics there is also a modern tone especially in the way these four children speak to one another. Of course their are also mobile phones and I loved the idea that the old phone box is now used as a street library. It was also refreshing to read that Grandpa is the family cook. His scones certainly sound delicious and you might enjoy the debate about where to place your jam and cream.
Cousins Ava and Josh from Birmingham, Aiden from London and only child Chloe have come to stay with their grandparents. Each day they set off on their bikes along with their dog Bella and of course, in the spirit of Enid Blyton, they take a delicious picnic lunch.
Cheese sandwiches
Tuna Mayonnaise sandwiches
Fried chicken
Scotch Eggs
Apples
The gang of four see some suspicious dealings between adults, they overhear an odd conversation by a women in ridiculous shoes and later they find twelve diamonds. These diamonds are from a much larger valuable piece that has been stolen and so our four heroes decide to find the whole set and capture the baddies. It is all very improbable but the craziness of their scheme and their "daring do" are what make this book great fun.
Fleur takes a beloved concept of childhood adventures arisen out of freedom during holidays and brings it smack up to date and relevant to today’s children saying YOU can have adventures too. Lily and the Fae
The second book in the series was published this month.
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