The Wood Where Magic Grows

Andy Shepherd’s new series is infused with magic – the old sort that grows out of nature, trees and the green world around us. Iggy is apprehensive about moving into a new house with his mum, new stepdad and new little brother Cal, especially as Cal looks up to him so much. Their cottage is surrounded by trees and on the edge of ancient woodland and the trees seem very interested in their new neighbours. As Iggy and Cal explore, they discover that the trees have lots to tell them, and indeed are super keen to make them feel at home. In scenes of pure joy, the two brothers plus their new friend from the village, Mae, are helped by the trees to climb right into the top branches, caught by helpful sweeping boughs if they fall, and shown newly formed treetop walkways that let them run across the whole wood. Not since The Magic Faraway Tree, (referenced on page 133) have such wonderful adventures been had in the branches of a tree, and somehow these are even more enjoyable because rather than magical (mono-cultural) worlds, it’s the trees themselves that provide the magic and the excitement. There are of course dangers and threats to overcome too, and the three children, now aka the Treetoppers, have a job on their hands to preserve the green magic. There’s so much to learn about trees and woods throughout, but other lessons too, for example, the discussion Mae and Iggy have about her deafness and his birthmark, and the way they’d prefer other people to treat them. Young readers will love plunging into these wild adventures, expect to see a new generation gazing hopefully at trees waiting for them to come to life (or even finding that they already have). Illustrations by Ellie Snowdon are gorgeous too.

Read our Q&A interview with author Andy Shepherd