Isadora Moon Goes to the Fair; Harriet Muncaster

Meet Isadora Moon, she’s a bit different to most children you know but that makes her very, very special indeed. Her mum is a fairy, her dad is a vampire and she is a bit of both. She attends a school full of ordinary children and loves doing the normal things that humans do but it can sometimes be a bit tricky when your family are not exactly normal. So when Isadora and her family embrace the human world things often end up getting a little ‘awkward’ but luckily it’s nothing that a bit of wand-waving can not fix.

Isadora had been looking forward to going to the Funfair Spectacular all week but when she and her family finally go it is anything but spectacular. The music is muted, the rides are rubbish, the fairy lights are failing and it is definitely lacking fun. There’s only one thing for it…magic. But magic in front of unsuspecting humans can lead to all manner of surprises…

I love a bit of magic and sparkle and Isadora Moon and her family have this in abundance. This is a fang-tastically fun read in which Isadora, her parents and her cousins, Mirabelle and Wilbur, visit the funfair. Unfortunately the Funfair Spectacular is far from spectacular and is definitely lacking in fun. There’s little to enjoy about the rubbish rides, the miserly music and the fairy lights are certainly lacking sparkle. But being part of family where your mum is a fairy, your dad is a vampire and your cousins are a witch and a wizard can have its benefits. And it isn’t long before potions are being dropped, wands are being waved, spells are being cast, and glitter, sparkles and fairy-dust are filling the air. And much to the delight of the funfair staff the fair is looking as good as it ever has and they have never had so many people desperate to ride the rides, play the games and eat the food.

Fang-tastic illustrations in shades of pink and black feature throughout and there are fabulous character portraits at the front of the book so you get to know who is who. Added extras at the back of the book include a recipe for Vampire fairy-cakes and a quiz to determine which character you are most like.

Isadora Moon is a perfect read for children who are in need of a read that has more text than a picture book but who still want a read that has lots of illustrations. The inclusion of chapters definitely make it feel like a more grown-up read which I’m sure young children will delight in. Isadora Moon is a series of chapter books so if you enjoyed getting your teeth into this one then be sure to check out other titles in the series (they do not need to be read in order so choose one that takes your fancy).

Recommended for 6+.