Buttons three, attend to me! Take me where I want to be!
Life hasn’t been much fun for Milly Dynes lately. There seem to be problems everywhere she looks. She’s always loved her home in Tidgy Bay, but at the moment she wishes she was somewhere – anywhere – else.
No one saw Eliza Vanda arrive in Tidgy Bay that rainy winter afternoon. The sign advertising ‘Cabins for Rent’ was almost hidden by a pile of builder’s rubble, but Eliza Vanda didn’t seem at all put out by the mess.
Eliza Vanda turns up, and magic comes with her …
Eliza Vanda’s Button Box is a sparkling new fantasy adventure from multi-award-winning author Emily Rodda. Rodda’s first book, Something Special marked the beginning of a career that has seen her become one of the most successful, prolific, and versatile writers in Australia.
Since then, Emily has written and co-authored over ninety books for children. Her children’s books range from picture books to YA novels, and include the award-winning Rowan of Rin series as well as the outstandingly successful Deltora Quest fantasy series. Rodda has won the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year award a record five times and seems to instinctively know what children want to read.
This novel was right up my alley. But that comes as no surprise considering I’ve grown up with Rodda’s storytelling. I was immediately drawn in from the gorgeous textured pink and green hardcover, with illustrations including a button box (of course) and a black cat (reminiscent of my own). I loved looking through my mother’s button box – and admittedly still do – so this story felt quite sentimental.
Eliza Vanda’s Button Box is about discovery, adventure, and tackling the unknown – all with a dash of magic! Reading this novel, I felt like I was back in year six. It’s a year where you’re nearing the end of the primary school era and about to encounter change.
Evoking emotions of happiness, compassion, sadness and confusion in a safe context, Rodda creates the ideal read for readers aged 10+. Anyone experiencing a transition will relate to this. If you’re a fan of Rodda or just love fantasy, then this is the novel for you.
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