Phoebe Robinson loves making up stories - just like her wonderful, imaginative Dad.
When he mysteriously disappears, Phoebe, Perry, Becks and their mum must leave everything behind and move to a small cottage in the middle of nowhere.
Struggling to feel at home and missing her Dad terribly, Phoebe's only distraction is her guinea pig Daisy. Until the family discover the thrilling steam trains at the railway station and suddenly, every day is filled with adventure.
But Phoebe still can't help wondering, what is Mum hiding and more worryingly is Dad okay?
Jacqueline has tackled a couple of children's classics now, including another one by E Nesbit several years ago. The difficulty with this kind of story is alway the balance between keeping the spirit of the original and making it up to date for today's children, something they can relate to. Jacqueline has done really well here; you can see how much she loves the original story and the flashes of her originality.
If you've read the original, you'll see bits and pieces of it here, albeit mixed up and out of order, but making perfect sense in this new version. If you haven't read it, you should, but this will still make perfect sense to you. There's no need to be familiar with The Railway Children in order to read this one. It's a rare gift, to make a story comprehensible to both groups of reading.
As a Jacqueline story, you'll recognise several aspects. Phoebe, our point of view is one of the mousy heroines, as always excellent at art and making up stories, with a lovely father and a snappy, but very caring, mother. Naturally the fourteen year old sister is very into make up and being older than she is. I really enjoyed reading and trying to match people with their 'original' characters - I managed with most, but there are definitely a few new ones here!
This is a great read, with a good ending unlike a few that I felt ended very abruptly over the last few years. Jacqueline really has a talent for this kind of story, and I hope she keeps going with them. Little Princess next, maybe?
The Primrose Railway Children publishes on the 16th of September, 2021. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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