Harklights

Product Information

Wick himself is trained into the role of ‘Forest Keeper’ as he is charged with the role of protector of the wood.

Your selection was perfect for our children and what really made the difference was your ability to engage with each child, discuss their interests and help them to choose a suitable book based on your extensive knowledge of the books you were selling. Yet it is all that Wick’s ever known; the porridge meals, chalked floor bed and fear of Ma Bogey’s iron-thumbed stick. It would have been a good way to tie-in an origin story of Old Ma Bogey and why she kidnapped the creatures. He only dreams of escaping, until one day a bird drops something impossible and magical at his feet – a tiny baby in an acorn cradle… As midnight chimes, Wick is visited by the Hobs, miniature protectors of the forest. However, the reader soon learns that there is more than meets the eye at this dark, dreary and lifeless institution.

This is a charming tale for children, which may just help to open their eyes to the wonders of the natural world (although you can't beat taking them out in it either). Harklights tells a warm story of evergreen proportions as Wick explores the world of Hobs in his pursuit of being a forest protector. It was such a pleasure to meet you both, and I really appreciated how smoothly and professionally you ran everything.

He is worried about how he's going to keep the baby a secret from Old Ma Bogey and decides to confide in Petal. One day Wick is convinced he’ll be thrown down the bottomless well never to be seen again, when Old Ma Bogey finds his matchstick model houses. With ideas such as making a wild corner in the garden, building woodpiles for insects and planting bee and butterfly-friendly flowers, readers can become stewards of nature, playing an active role in conservation and protection for the future. Speaking as an adult I’m not totally convinced of the story’s pacing and of the relationships Wick has not only built but will also build up; but then I’m not the target readership, for whom life may feel like a continuous present and relationships are often mysteries that continue to puzzle.It seems there is no life or future beyond the walls of the matchstick factory; certainly nobody every escaped. It is tremendously exciting, edge of the seat and yet at the same time, most scenes in the forest are peaceful and soothing. In some ways it's the refinement of this wave of admirable novels tackling environmental themes over the past decade. Leaving the lights of Harklight behind him, Wick discovers the miniature world of the Hobs: a civilisation of tiny people living in the forest, who protect it as well the animals and nature within it. It seems that Ma Bogey is something to do with the Monster that lurks in their nightmares and history, that they will not reveal to Nissa or the other Hob youngsters.

The themes of nature, conservation and family weave effortlessly through the novel, with stunning illustrations to bring this organic adventure to life. Bronnie is so lovely with the boys and we also felt that having a man enthusing about the books set a great example. It’s filled with adventure, found family, strong friendships and lots of charming animal friends throughout. He works as a freelance illustrator for editorial and design clients and teaches children's book illustration at City Lit in London.Harklights is the tale of Wick, an orphan who lives and works in the harsh Harklights Match Factory. Candy Gourlay introduces Wild Song, her companion novel to Bone Talk, in which Luki and Samkad leave their home in the Philippines for America. You guys are such a force for good and I am a passionate supporter of Indie booksellers, so I'm so happy this worked out well (I'd love to know how many books were sold if you have it to hand - it felt like quite a lot! Grateful for the kindness shown to their stolen child, they offer Wick the chance of a lifetime - escape from Harklights and begin a new life with them in the wild. Grateful for the kindness shown to their stolen child, they offer Wick the chance of a lifetime – escape from Harklights and begin a new life with them in the wild… Winner of the Joan Aiken Future Classics Prize, Harklights is a magical story celebrating family, friendship and the natural world, filled with a message of hope for our times.

That's a very harsh review because, apart from those overly familiar elements, Harklights is actually fun to read and will certainly find its audience. Appreciated that not everything was black and white (though some things were) and that not every character had a fairy tale ending (though some did). He underlines the notion that we should be stewards of nature, not its masters, but he also entertains, not least in the distinctive monochrome illustrations and map he himself has created for the publication. Wick wants to protect the Hobs and their home from the Monster and decides that he will do whatever it takes to protect them.

However, In the finale Wick is able to use his inventiveness to defeat Ma Bogey and realises he didn’t need a magical ability. Winner of the Joan Aiken Future Classics Prize, Harklights is a magical story celebrating family, friendship and the natural world, filled with a message of hope for our times. Harklights is an adventure with a message about looking after nature and yet it is not at all preachy and is woven into the story seamlessly. He dreams only of escaping, until one day a bird drops something impossible and magical at his feet - a tiny baby in an acorn cradle.