Magrit by Lee Battersby
Ill. by Amy Daoud. Walker Books Australia, 2016. ISBN 9781925081343
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Magrit lives in an old cemetery with her
friend and mentor Master Puppet whom she constructed from old bones.
When a stork passes through one night, it drops an unusual bundle in
to the abandoned cemetery. Magrit is very curious however Master
Puppet warns her that it is ugly and will only result in bad news.
Despite the warnings she discovers a baby which she decides to keep
for herself. She names him Bugrat and loves him like a brother, but
why is Master Puppet being so weird and who does that strange voice
belong to?
I found this short book quite easy to follow along. I did find some
of the story lines predictable but there were still a few surprises
in store especially for a younger reader. It is written superbly
taking it from a simple children's story into something more
descriptive. The story is slightly dark and beautifully packaged.
The characters have been given personalities who are mysterious and
intriguing that you will want to know more. Magrit has
plenty of soul, sadness, despair, and hope. It's a delightfully dark
fairy tale, full of Battersby's whimsy and charm. Because of the
very slightly scary theme I would recommend it for 10 year olds and
above and anyone who loved Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book.
Jody Holmes