MISS PENNY DREADFUL AND THE MIDNIGHT KITTENS BY ALLISON RUSHBY AND ILLUSTRATED BY BRONTE ROSE MARANDO

It’s 1872 and young Penny Pickering is a student at Miss Strickland’s School for Girls of an Enquiring Mind. Her parents are scientists who are often away. When they seemingly disappear, their solicitor asks Penny’s Aunt Harriet Marchmont to be her guardian. Harriet is a writer of exciting stories and has been a student at the same school and hated it. Penny isn’t so very happy there either, so when her aunt asks if she’d like to join her on an adventure, Penny naturally says, Yes.

 Aunt Harriet, her assistant and publisher, Mr Crowley and Penny set off by train to investigate the case of the bewitched kittens. In the Museum of the Curious and Absurd little vingettes of stuffed animals mimic humans. In one, some rabbits study in a class room, there is a wedding of mice and some spotted kittens have a tea party. These are the kittens that supposedly come to life at midnight, bewitched by a spell.

 Although Penny doesn’t believe she has an “Enquiring Mind”, she is no fool. She sees that there is something not quite right about the museum and sets about trying to find the truth.

 Allison Rushby’s first book in this junior fiction series is a lovely read. Her characters some to life so well as they travel through the narrative. Penny’s relationship with her aunt and extraordinary pet monkey, Jones, grows as the story unfolds. There are baddies and goodies and underdogs and innocent victims – all, when combined in a nice old-fashioned tale give the reader an engaging experience. Bronte Rose Marando’s illustrations at the beginning of each chapter and the occasional full-page picture, give the reader a glimpse of the characters and settings. The illustration of the kittens playing is very sweet. Allison Rushby’s new book also explores the different belief systems that existed in Victorian times as well as introducing younger readers to the wonderful world of penny dreadfuls – the pre-cursor to modern-day gaming.

For Ages: 7 - 10 years

Number of Pages: 144

Published: August 2022 Walker Books

Themes: Family relationships, animal treatment