The Marvellous Granny Jinks and Me #1; Serena Holly, illustrated by Selom Sunu

Jada loves spending time with her not-so-ordinary Granny Jinks and when she discovers a box of magic tricks in granny’s flat she learns of a secret dream to become a magician. Jada’s dad hates magic and when he enrols Jada for extra Maths lessons and suggests Granny join crochet club it seems that the after school fun has come to an abrupt end. That is until Jada hears of auditions for the Dalton Green Magic Society and sets out to conjure up a plan to help Granny become the society’s latest member…

The Marvellous Granny Jinks and me is the first in a new series of delightful first chapter books that are perfect for newly independent readers. Filled with family-fun, achieving dreams, making friends, finding your voice and conjuring up courage and bravery, the story of a young black girl and her energetic and loveable granny is heart-warming and magical in every sense.

We all need a grandparent like Granny Jinks, she is absolutely awesome! Despite her age and her son’s concerns that she should be slowing down and pursuing things more suited to grandparents she still has plenty of magic and sparkle left in her. And as Jada and her new best friend Tilda endeavour to help Granny Jinks achieve her magical dreams there is plenty of fun to be had and some very unexpected results.

Featuring cracking illustrations throughout and with instructions for having a go at some of Granny Jinks’ secret magic tricks, lovers of magic and those that share a special relationship with a grandparent will thoroughly enjoy this read. Granny Jinks and Jada will return with more in book number two, Animal Magic.

With huge thanks to Simon & Schuster for the copy I received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Recommended for 6+.