Monday 4 November 2013

Clementine Rose and the Surprise Visitor by Jacqueline Harvey (Children's, 7 years +, 10/10E)


book 1

August 2013, Red Fox, 144 pages, Paperback, Review copy 

Clementine Rose was delivered not in the usual way, at a hospital, but in the back of a mini-van, in a basket of dinner rolls.
So begins the story of a very special little girl. Clementine Rose grows up with her adopted mother, Lady Clarissa, their butler, Digby Pertwhistle, and a very tiny teacup pig named Lavender. When Clementine's scary Aunt Violet visits, the household is thrown into disarray. What is it that Aunt Violet really wants, and what is she hiding in her mysterious black bag?

Nayuleska's thoughts
I was delighted to have the first chapter dedicated to how Clementine arrived because it is a sweet part of her childhood. I have no idea who her real mother is, and am clueless about the odd hints about her background in this first book of her adventures. How many people do you know who go on safari (in the
safety of a library) and see a ghost? Read the book and you will meet one such little girl. Her innocent
childhood honesty made me giggle, as is the way she takes everything she hears literally. Her cute, sunny
nature is depicted perfectly by the front cover and the illustrations inside which are too adorable for
words. Living in a hotel sounds fun, even if the roof does leak and Clementine has mishaps happen with the guests.

Find out more on Jacqueline's website.

Suggested read
Read other books by Jacqueline including Alice-Miranda On Holiday (Children's, 7 years +, 9/10E)

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