The Boy Who Lost His Spark by Maggie O'Farrell
Synopsis
The new children's book from multi-award-winning author of Hamnet , Maggie O'Farrell, paired once more with Daniela Terrazzini's stunning illustrations.
When Jem and his family move to the countryside, he doesn't like his new home one bit. It's an old cottage on the side of a hill, where strange things keep happening: shoes are filled up with conkers, the stairs become tangled in a woollen maze. Jem's sister Verity is certain it is the work of a ""nouka"", an ancient creature from local folklore that lives deep down inside the hill.
Jem, however, is adamant that there is no such thing. But this small mythical creature, so attuned to the hearts and minds of others, does exist. And, what's more, it is determined, through mischief and mayhem, to help Jem reignite the spark within himself once more.
Reviews
"Expert storytelling conjures up an unhappy boy whose little sister believes in naughty magical creatures. It suggests that a bit of wild behaviour can be cheering.” ? Sunday Times
"A gentle, empowering tale with entrancing illustrations.” ? Daily Mail
"wonderfully magical" ? Times Radio
"The Boy Who Lost His Spark, undeniably has a magical, timeless quality to it, reminiscent of those ancient Celtic legends. […] timeless" ? Irish Independent
"The magical elements of the story pair beautifully with the ethereal illustrations of Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, making for an entrancing tale – and one many children who have moved somewhere new will relate to." ? Independent.co.uk
About the Author
Maggie O’Farrell, FRSOL, is the author of HAMNET, Winner of the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2020, and the memoir I AM, I AM, I AM, both Sunday Times no. 1 bestsellers. Her novels include AFTER YOU’D GONE, MY LOVER’S LOVER, THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US, which won a Somerset Maugham Award, THE VANISHING ACT OF ESME LENNOX, THE HAND THAT FIRST HELD MINE, which won the 2010 Costa Novel Award, INSTRUCTIONS FOR A HEATWAVE and THIS MUST BE THE PLACE., and THE MARRIAGE PORTRAIT. She is also the author of two books for children, WHERE SNOW ANGELS GO and THE BOY WHO LOST HIS SPARK. She lives in Edinburgh.