No matter how much Olive longs for a pet rabbit, it’s never going to happen. Not when she lives in an Australian country town where most people think they’re a pest.
So, imagine Olive’s shock when she unexpectedly finds not one, but one hundred and one rabbits. And one of them can talk! How Olive will ever be able to hide and protect the rabbits is going to be her greatest challenge, all while preparing for the Year 5 play. At least she has her costume ready, although the old top hat she found in the local op-shop seems very odd…
Author Amanda Graham’s first book, Arthur, won the UK Children’s Federation Award and was short-listed for the CBC Awards. Now, Graham teams up with illustrator Lavanya Naidu to make a fantastic middle-grade adventure that kids are bound to love.
I absolutely adored The Hats of Marvello! The writing is filled with humour, coupled with Naidu’s adorably expressive illustrations, it was such a joy to read. Set in an Australian country town, Olive is busy preparing for her star role in the Year 5 play when talking rabbit Robbit pops out of the top hat of her costume. As Olive works to help solve the unfolding mystery, she discovers that the magical top hat allows the rabbits to travel between the Marvello hats, even countries apart. It was such a charmingly fantastical element that will keep readers guessing!
Graham’s immersive and intricate settings in The Hats of Marvello were a standout. From the streets of Luddston to the quintessential Australian country town of Mount Dry, I had a blast following Olive on her exciting adventure.
What’s more, Graham cleverly uses her settings to explore the relationship of rural Australia and introduced species. Olive’s Grandfather considers rabbits a pest but Olive believes every animal should have a place to call home. Faced with a hundred and one rabbits, empathetic Olive is the perfect vehicle to explore this topic for young readers. All the while, it’s wonderfully weaved through this story that sparkles with magic and mystery.
Perfect for kids aged 8+ who are fans of Emily Rodda, The Hats of Marvello is a delightful, magical adventure story that will have readers spellbound.
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