Harper and the Night Forest By Cerrie Burnell

I am all about NON candy Easter Basket Goodies. Thank you Cerrie Burnell for this adorable book!! The last thing that 6-year-old Alice needs is MORE energy!!  Seriously guys I can barely keep up as it is!!! Add sugar?! No! Well, okay maybe just before hand-off to the Momma and Dadda. (Insert evil laugh here!! Maybe a little hand clapping too….. I told you Selena there would be payback for your teen years; especially 13 through 15.  Sorry, that’s a whole different post).

AS I was saying… I’m looking for Easter Basket items that aren’t candy. One of my very favorites are books. I love giving books. Every holiday. Every bribe. Every chance I get!!

Alice is a book lover. She has always adored being red too. Now that she can read (I’m SHOCKED at what an excellent reader she is too!) Alice devours books! I LOVE THAT!!! She reads herself to sleep every-night. AT SIX!!! How cool is that?!!?

Now, with The Non’s (that’s me) upcoming move to Idaho we have taken to reading a story at night together via Facetime.  First, Alice reads to me, either a school book or a book from her collection, just a chapter, then the next night I read a chapter of my book. Eventually we will no doubt read two chapters a night.

This months book is a story from a fun series about Harper and friends, with music and a magic flying umbrellas.  In this book Harper and The Night Forest the friends head off to find a mythical bird, their journey takes them to the mysterious Night Forest, where fairy tales are more than they seem.

I love that Alice and I can go from FUNNY book, cartoon books like Calvin & Hobbes, to one of mystery. I love that this kids enjoys all kinds of books. I even have her testing the waters of a suspenseful story!

Harper And The Night Forest is actually the third in the series. But coming in not realizing their were additional books I am pleased to report that this is a great stand alone story.

The characters are well formed. The plot is one that keeps Alice coming back night after night asking for another chapter.  I think that the book may be better suited for 7 or 8 -year-olds. I found that some of the chapters are above Alice’s comprehension level without having to re-read the chapters and talk about them.

We both enjoyed the story. It’s one we will read again.

“In this lyrical, action-packed fantasy, Harper is allowed to use her aunt’s Scarlet Umbrella and later discovers that her cat is missing. The Scarlet Umbrella has magical powers; it leads her to the homes of others who are missing cats. As Harper works with her friends to find the felines and bring them home, they observe new strengths in one another. Dreamy Liesel, “with tangled, blonde hair and filthy nails,” implements plans of action with impressive leadership skills. Liesel’s poetic brother, Ferdie, is strong and courageous. Nate, who is visually impaired, assists with his ability to hear incredibly soft sounds and maneuver in the darkness. The kids meet and confront the Wild Conductor, who has enchanted the cats. A chase ensues, with Harper and Nate flying across town in the magical Umbrella. Harper uses her musical gifts to lure the cats back with “a song of stars and mist and hope. A song that spread across the sky, as if it came from the heavens.” The kids successfully battle the Wild Conductor and bring the cats home. Line drawings throughout depict the smartly dressed and messy characters. Ample action keeps the story accessible for beginning chapter book readers. Originally published in the United Kingdom, this lively tale is sure to win fans in the United States, from cat lovers to music aficionados to fantasy fans. VERDICT: A winning tale of teamwork and artistry. A solid purchase for most chapter book collections.” —School Library Journal

Great story with magic, music and adventure!!

Praise for Harper and the Circus of Dreams: “Brimming with charming illustrations and written with flowing wonderment, this is a fantastical slip of a story where magic and music combine to create enchantment. . . . A winsome tale that will make the minds of early chapter-book readers sparkle.” —Kirkus Reviews

 About the author:

Cerrie Burnell is a presenter, actress, and writer, best known for her work in British children’s TV. She was featured in the Guardian‘s 2011 list of the one hundred most inspirational women. She divides her time between London and Brighton, England.

About the Illustrator

Laura Ellen Anderson has been a children’s book illustrator since graduating from the University of Falmouth. She is the creator of the Evil Emperor Penguin comic and the illustrator for many books including the Witch Wars series. She lives in the United Kingdom.

Praise for Harper and the Circus of Dreams: “Brimming with charming illustrations and written with flowing wonderment, this is a fantastical slip of a story where magic and music combine to create enchantment. . . . A winsome tale that will make the minds of early chapter-book readers sparkle.” —Kirkus Reviews

You can find Harper And The Night Forest: on Sky Pony Press ♥ Amazon ♥ Barnes & Noble and other fine bookstores.

Publisher: SkyPony Publishing
Author: Cerrie Burnell
Illustrated By: by Laura Ellen Anderson
Publication Date: March 27, 2018
ISBN-9781510734838
Number of Pages: 188 Pages
Book Type: Paperback
Size: 5.¾″ x 8″

[ReviewDisclaimer]