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jessamine864's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This is a beautiful story involving the imagination of one young girl and countless others like her spilling into the real world from Smockeroon or the Land of Neverendings where all the toys have gone/exist that we brought to life with our imagination. It deals very honestly with the grief of losing a child/sibling and shows both the child and parents pain and the growth and love through this time. It is a beautiful honouring of those who have gone too soon and how their loved ones remember them. It was honest and funny, and sweet and so emotional.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Grief
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Medical content
toryhallelujah's review against another edition
3.0
A lil' too sickly-sweet and cutesy for my tastes. I don't know if it's a difference between American and British kids, but these kids seemed much younger than they were supposed to be, what with still being really focused on toys and magic.
lotesofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars.
It's been a while since a book has made me cry but this really pulled my heartstrings at the end. A beautiful book that I recommend to all.
It's been a while since a book has made me cry but this really pulled my heartstrings at the end. A beautiful book that I recommend to all.
morgib's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
deb_reads_books's review against another edition
4.0
I'm struggling to write a proper review of this book, I think I read too much YA! However, I did read it because it's on this year's Carnegie short-list. It's such a sweet story. Emily's severely disabled sister, Holly has died and Emily is grieving. She misses her sister and is scared of forgetting her and the stories that she had made up for her so Emily starts to write down words and phrases that were special to both sisters. At the same time, she and her best friend, Maze start secondary school and as can happen, they start to move away from each other. Emily's longing for her sister's favourite soft toy opens up to her seeing and hearing other toys and the lines between make-believe and reality blur. Think Narnia and NeverLand. The story continues, read the Goodreads blurb for more. What I want to say is that if you're looking for a book that deals with friendship, imagination, loss of a sibling, moving schools, growing up that does all these things gently, this is the book for you.
laurencarter's review against another edition
2.0
I wasn't a fan of this one.
It's like a darkish version of toy story - this is how I can sum it up best - but even though that sounds amazing, it's not.
I feel like there's huge gaps missing in this book - because things weren't explained properly or they are gone over way too quickly. Not just the story but also the world building of this fantasy land - it could have been done so much better and been a more enjoyable read.
Parts of this story just don't belong and feel out of place such as the school scenes and other side characters - they don't add anything and really aren't needed. I needed more focus on the fantasy land or the school scenes to have a bit more meaning at least.
I liked the inspiration behind this story but I don't think it was done well.
It's like a darkish version of toy story - this is how I can sum it up best - but even though that sounds amazing, it's not.
I feel like there's huge gaps missing in this book - because things weren't explained properly or they are gone over way too quickly. Not just the story but also the world building of this fantasy land - it could have been done so much better and been a more enjoyable read.
Parts of this story just don't belong and feel out of place such as the school scenes and other side characters - they don't add anything and really aren't needed. I needed more focus on the fantasy land or the school scenes to have a bit more meaning at least.
I liked the inspiration behind this story but I don't think it was done well.
daisy_likes_to_read's review
3.0
It was sweet but that was about it. Its not a book I would say is a must read but if your looking for something easy and chill to read than this is something you would probably enjoy.
z_oe's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0