The Travels of Ermine: The Big London Treasure Hunt; Jennifer Gray, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli

This is one of a series of three books about the travel adventures of Ermine the stoat. The books do not have to be read in any order so you can choose to travel with Ermine to New York, Sydney or like me, London.

It’s the school holidays and Minty Lambchop is incredibly excited that a special visitor is coming to stay. Ermine the stoat is looking forward to exploring London, seeing all of the famous sights and taking photos for her scrapbook. And there’s a mystery to solve too…a valuable ruby from the Queen’s crown belongs to the Lambchop’s, if only they could find it. Can Ermine and Minty find the precious jewel that has been missing since Tudor times…

The Big London Treasure Hunt is a sweet adventure story with a lovely little mystery that needs solving. Children will love venturing around the sights of London with Ermine and Minty as they try to solve the Great Pastry Plot and hopefully get to the treasure that rightfully belongs to Minty’s family before the dastardly Corporal Wellington.

The best of British is packed into this read with garden parties, boat trips down the Thames, historical London landmarks and of course, fish and chips. Delightful British humour comes in the from of Corporal Bertram (better known as Beef) Wellington and his horse, Radish - this hapless pair are on the hunt for the treasure too but they lack the smarts to outwit real detectives Minty and Ermine. Woven into the story are some nice little facts relating to Tudor England, notably Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth. The read features charming illustrations throughout by one of my favourite illustrators, Elisa Paganelli.

Recommended for 7+.