THE WOLVES OF GREYCOAT HALL BY LUCINDA GIFFORD

The Wolves of Greycoat Hall is an absolutely delightful story full of wonderful characters and old-fashioned mystery. Randall, his wife Leonora and son, Boris Greycoat are wolves who live peaceful lives in the Principality of Morovia. Being a family who enjoy a fun holiday, they decide to head to Scotland where wolves are being reintroduced and co-incidentally where their family ancestors, the McLupus’ originated.

After travelling a long way by train, boat and train again, they arrive at Inverness and are welcomed by Aileen Fordyce from the Scottish Royal Conservation Society. Although Scots are aware that wolves are being reintroduced they are woefully ignorant of their sophistication.

After a minor tussle with an extremely rude man in green tweed the family drive to their hotel and begin to explore the local tourist attractions. Being a very engaging and interested family, they visit many places and are extremely taken with one in particular – Drommuir Castle.

Their stay is overshadowed by a land developer who happens to wear green tweed. Mr Vorslad is determined to develop the castle site as well as its forest and beach surroundings. He is exceedingly unpleasant and especially dislikes wolves. The Greycoats feel drawn to the area, especially the castle and ask if it is possible to buy it. Mr Vorslad unfortunately has offered the Conservation Society a vast amount of money and it seems unlikely that the Greycoats can beat his price. All seems lost and the evil developer looks like he will win the day but young Boris is reading the family history and makes a discovery that could change everything.

Lucinda Gifford both writes and illustrates this Junior Fiction novel. The illustrations and information boxes are funny and helpful to younger readers. Her characterisations are beautifully portrayed and it is difficult to not fall in love with the Greycoats. The family’s need for constant snacks in order to avoid “Undignified Situations and Embarrassing Incidents”, their love of turrets, and polite explanations for human rudeness all combine to make this a story well worth reading. The quiet humour and gentle storytelling are great tools to introduce junior readers to the themes of acceptance, inclusiveness and fighting for what you believe in.

For Ages: 6-9 years

Number of Pages: 221 hardcover.

Published: September 2020

Themes: acceptance, fighting for beliefs and environmental issues

Rating: 4/5