Under the Floorboards of 39A by Lucy Kennedy

Do you believe in magic? Well, you just need to look beneath your feet ... because under the creaky floorboards of lots and lots of houses in Ireland, but most particularly under those of a house called 39A Cove Street in Dublin, there lives a whole community of little elves, working and making magic from all the things you drop between the cracks!

Meet Joey and Freddie O’Brien, nine-year-old twin elves who get up to all sorts of mischief together. From their missions Up-Up to borrow supplies from their human neighbour, Bee-Bee, and stay out of the path of her big St Bernard dog, to their adventures in Squirby Village, creating magic out of the things we leave behind. But when the twins see Bee-Bee is not herself, and needs help, they gather their friends and rush to the rescue!

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Tiny magic, big heart, and a whole civilisation built out of whatever you dropped behind the radiator.

Pre-Reading Thoughts

This sounded immediately like cosy chaos in miniature - very Borrowers adjacent, lots of scurrying, inventing, and “please don’t let the human see us.” I was hoping for gentle adventure, clever worldbuilding, and that specific childhood thrill of believing your house might secretly be alive.

Post-Reading

As I thought…

• It absolutely nails that early-reader sweet spot: short chapters, tons of illustrations, and just enough jeopardy to feel exciting without ever tipping into scary.

• The underfloor society is delightful - making magic out of lost beads, crumbs, screws, and bits of string is SUCH a clever, tactile concept.

• The twins’ missions “Up-Up” feel like proper heists when you’re nine. High stakes = avoid dog. Honestly? Fair.

• It has that cosy competence energy: everyone pitching in, building things, solving problems together.

It surprised me by…

• How naturally the worldbuilding slides in. No info-dumps, just “of course this is how things work down here,” and you’re instantly sold.

• The emotional thread with Bee-Bee adds a really gentle kindness to it - it’s not just mischief, it’s community care.

• Managing to feel complete while still clearly leaving room for more adventures. No cliffhanger stress, just “see you next time.”

🎵 Music Pairing

Featured Song:
“Home” – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros
(Wholesome, stompy, found-family, slightly chaotic joy.)

Vibe Album:
Our Endless Numbered Days – Iron & Wine
Soft, handmade, warm, feels like sunlight through dusty floorboards.

Artist Recommendation:
The Okee Dokee Brothers – very “adventure but make it kid-safe and acoustic.”

Vibe Check

• Colour Palette: warm wood, honey brown, button-red, dust-mote gold

• Soundtrack: tiny hammer taps, floorboard creaks, distant kettle boiling upstairs

• Season: early autumn

• Mood: industrious, mischievous, gentle-hearted

• Scent: sawdust + toast crumbs + tea

Tarot Pull

3 of Pentacles 
This is pure collaboration energy: building, crafting, everyone contributing their small skills to make something bigger. The whole underfloor community is that card. Little artisans with big teamwork.

For fans of

• The Borrowers

• Arthur Christmas (that busy behind-the-scenes, tiny logistics energy)

• and honestly a sprinkle of The Littles

Under the Floorboards of 39A publishes on the 19th of February, 2026. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.