Lulu Bell and the Birthday Unicorn (Belinda Murrell, illus by Serena Geddes, Random House)

We meet Lulu Bell on a very important day—her little sister Rosie’s sixth birthday. Everything seems to be going according to plan until a runaway pony threatens to spoil the occasion. It’s only thanks to Lulu’s caring nature, quick thinking and imaginative solution that the day is saved. Belinda Murrell, who is best known for her historical fiction novels for older readers, has written a wonderful junior reader. Murrell writes with a warmth that immediately draws in the reader and encourages them to share in the excitement of Lulu’s day. Lulu’s family is also depicted as particularly caring. There are some lovely moments in this novel, and the familiarity of the situations will make the story particularly accessible to younger readers. It is great to see such depth and care taken with a junior reader as so many on the shelves these days can be formulaic and unengaging. Lulu Bell and the Birthday Unicorn will be enjoyed by children aged six and up.

Natalie Crawford is a freelance reviewer and works at Dymocks Claremont

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Category: Reviews