The Secret Wild; Alex Evelyn

I remember my dad once telling me about a book called The Day of the Triffids written by John Wyndham. I have never read it but from what I understand it is about some very dangerous triffids who threaten the human race. In Alex Evelyn’s debut children’s book there is a green-fingered baddie who is unleashing her own genetically modified plants into the world and threatening human existence once again.

Ten-year-old wild child Fern is used to life in the rainforest where she gets to run, climb, explore and talk to the plants that she calls her friends. When her parents ship her off to England to live with her eccentric uncle she is utterly miffed. Then she discovers that strange things are happening all over the city. Is the mysterious guerrilla gardener starting a green revolution? Along with her new plant ‘Special’ and botanophobe Woody, Fern sets out to uncover the mystery…

The Secret Wild is a cracking story flowering with adventure, blooming with mystery and intrigue, and has its roots firmly planted in nature and friendship. An exciting premise whereby a green revolution and the re-wilding of London lies in the hands of either a mad scientist or botanical genius makes for a captivating narrative and a fast-paced plot that had me racing through the pages - Alex had me caught like a fly in a Venus fly trap and I could not and did not want to leave.

Evelyn takes the urban jungle that is London and brings nature quite literally to the streets. And whilst all the greenery might be appealing to plant-loving Fern she knows that there is nothing normal about roots taking over the underground, lily pads lining the River Thames and vines wrapping themselves around the London Eye. But such a mystery cannot be solved alone and Fern finds the friend that she craves in Woody. It is a wonderfully written friendship and it is lovely to see it blossom as they support each other in growing as individuals and overcoming their anxieties.

In a joyous ode to the plant kingdom and everything green, greenery and nature weaves its way through each and every page with the most wonderfully named characters, road names and even a magazine subscription called ‘The Grapevine’. Nothing is spared Alex’s green-fingered touch and I love it. Oodles of plant facts and gardening tips are included too that even a non-green-fingered person like myself can appreciate. After reading this you’ll certainly want to get gardening, climb trees and run around barefoot.

There are plenty of things to discuss here; the ability of plants and humans to thrive and survive side by side, genetically modified plants and adaptations, the environment and nature conservation. It would be a superb read to share with children who are studying plants or inheritance and evolution.

Wildly imaginative and imaginatively wild; a blooming marvellous botanical-themed read!

With huge thanks to Walker for the copy I received in exchange for an honest review.

Recommended for 9+.