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Details

Author: Alexandra Page

Illustrator: 

Published: 29 September 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
Binding: Hardcover

Wishyouwas: the tiny guardian of lost letters

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 Shortlisted for the 2022 CrimeFest Best Crime Novel for Children
 Shortlisted for the 2019 Times/Chicken House prize
 Winner of the 2019 WriteMentor competition
Classic-feeling storytelling with bags of charm. Fans of thrilling animal adventure and enchanting underground worlds will fall in love with Wishyouwas.

It’s 1952 in smog-shrouded London. Christmas might be fast approaching, but with her mum away and Uncle Frank busy running the post office, Penny Black is lonelier than ever.

All that changes when Penny discovers a small, fluffy, funny, springy and – most importantly – talking creature in the post office one night, trying to make off with a letter.

But Wishyouwas is no thief. He’s a Sorter, and he soon introduces Penny to a fascinating secret world hidden in the tunnels underneath the city’s streets. Self-appointed guardians of lost mail, the Sorters have dedicated their lives to rescuing letters that have gone astray and making sure they get delivered to their rightful owners.

Penny is determined to protect the Sorters, but how long will she be able to keep them safe with Stanley Scrawl, the sinister Royal Mail Rat Catcher, on the prowl? Can Penny save the Sorters and deliver a joyful Christmas?

Has instant classic and Christmas wish you got written all over it” – Piers Torday, author of the The Last Wild trilogy.

“A lovely and enchanting read. Letters, intrigue, cute furry creatures – nine-year-old me would have turned to this charming book over and over again!” – Lesley Parr, author of The Valley of Lost Secrets and When the War Came Home.

It’s such an inventive and original story, and a real page-turner. Plus how could any child resist such a delightful character as Wishyouwas!” – Jacqueline Wilson.

Daily Express

"A first-class festive adventure".

 

The Week Junior magazine (UK)

"This delightful illustrated story is set at Christmas and is perfect for this time of year. Charming and heartwarming, it will remind you of fantastic old stories such as The Borrowers."

 

Julia Eccleshare, LoveReading4Kids Pick of the Month for October 2021

"A whirlwind adventure unfolds from the moment that lonely Penny Black helps a mysterious furry creature escape from a mouse trap in her uncle's post office. Rich in word play, this is a magical and cleverly created world of make-believe."

 

Books for Keeps

"This is one of those magical stories that just wraps itself around your heart and gives you a warm glow.... This is a wonderful story about friendship, family and also being open to new ideas and accepting others who are very different.  Alexandra Page has created a new Christmas classic and I know it will be a firm favourite for children in KS2, although it would be great to read out loud to younger children." - Margaret Pemberton, Books for Keeps.

 

North Somerset Teacher's Book Award

"Charming and whimsical, this is a delightful story. The names of the characters alone- Thiswayup, Withlove, Posthaste, Penny Black, Frank- are a joy, reflecting phrases used in the old-fashioned art of letter writing! Offering a pacey, enjoyable adventure, with just the right amount of peril and tension, ‘Wishyouwas’ is also rich in friendship and warmth- the perfect combination."

 

Countryside magazine

 

Magpies - Talking about books for children (Australia)

"This lively debut will appeal to many readers aged 8 + who enjoy a quirky fantasy and I happily predict there will be more adventures for Penny and Wishyouwas."

 

Better Reading Australia

"Penny is an inquisitive, kind, and feisty protagonist. She’s the kind of ten-year-old whose curiosity about the world around her gets her into all sorts of unexpected situations! I loved following her story, and I’m sure many readers will relate to her lust for adventure...Readers aged 8+ who like mythical creatures, passionate girls, and learning about a historic city will love this book."

 

A Little But A Lot - 2021 Mini Review

"This will make the best read aloud in the run up to Christmas, and I bet teachers and their classes will completely and utterly fall in love with this story!"

 

 

ReadingZone

"Wishyouwas is a heartwarming, feel-good story set to be a future classic." 

 

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Featuring your Wishyouwas artwork and letters!