ReadPlus

Review:
North Child by Edith Pattou
Usborne, 2003
512p. pbk
ISBN 0-7460 683709
10+ Short listed for the Ottakars Childrens Book Prize, 2006, this is a wonderful retelling of the old fairy tale, East of the Sun and West of the Moon. Superstition says that children who are born facing north will travel far from home. Rose is one of seven children and her mother is terrified that she will lose her to the icy northern realms because she is a north child. When a great white bear confronts Rose and tells her that her sick sister will be cured and the family’s fortune restored if she travels north with him, she agrees to go. Rose grows to love the white bear and when she discovers that he is a young man who has been put under the spell of an evil Troll Queen, she realises that she must rescue him.

This book is difficult to put down because of the memorable characters and the many adventures that Rose encounters. Pattou entices her reader into the story with beautiful descriptions of landscape and ice, everyday life like the art of weaving; extraordinary events and deep felt love. Rose is a strong willed and determined heroine, the Troll Queen avaricious and corrupt, the great Bear mysterious and alluring, Neddy, Rose’s brother patient and loving. The epic journey to the ice palace in the north is fraught with danger.

This is an outstanding adventure fantasy and will be enjoyed especially by people who like C. S. Lewis, Tamora Pierce and Robin McKinley. Highly recommended.

Pat Pledger

Home