A new audience
Recently, Liz Flanagan penned two of the finest, most original and exciting older children’s fantasies, Dragon Daughter and Rise of the Shadow Dragons. Now she has turned her attention to writing for younger children with equal success.
Her new ‘entry-level’ fantasy, Wildsmith: Into the Dark Forest is ideal for those just starting to read longer novels for themselves, or indeed to be read aloud to even younger children. And what an enchanting world they will be introduced to.
This author’s skilful crafting demonstrates just how much can be achieved, even when keeping language relatively simple and sentences fairly short. Vivid, sensuous evocation creates a powerfully immediacy and an involving sense of place, whilst spot-on thoughts and reactions establish characters that are wonderfully alive. They are just right for her young readers to recognise and identify with.
Exceptional storytelling
Through equally accessible short chapters, she crafts a story to enchant and compel. Undulations of tension generate unfailing involvement. The story tide is pulled rapidly from one peak to the next, whilst still providing the reassurance and predictability needed by this readership. Whether it is the thrilling jeopardy of racing over rooftops, the heartache of being torn away from a much loved father, the exciting trepidation of waiting for dragon eggs to hatch, or the wonder of meeting (very surprising) witches, the whole builds ever engagingly towards a gripping climax.
Yet there is always warmth and reassurance. Liz Flanagan capitalises cleverly on young children’s attraction to animals and their desire to care for them (my two young granddaughters both play ‘vets’ regularly). Her story builds a useful bridge between traditional stories and relevant, modern fantasy. Here is the magic of fairy tale in a grandfather’s house, almost growing organically from its woodland location. Then there is the kindly but somewhat strange grandfather himself with his wolf companion. The surrounding ‘Dark Forest’, dangerous and witch-inhabited, is a very archetype. Yet everything is brought charmingly into new focus by this author turning many expectations on their heads. Forest, witches and dragons all become features of the light. It is the actions of some human, particularly those at war, that are the source of darkness; fantasy and magic are good things. Although not over played, as suits the age of this audience, the subliminal message that war is a major source of evil is not at all a bad thing for today’s young children. Mid-story, there is also a chapter that strongly promotes the magic of libraries, books and reading; also a very splendid embedded sentiment.
Thankfully not the end
Protagonist Rowan and her fellow characters are beautifully drawn with the same clear, simple lines as are the lively, charming illustrations by Joe Todd-Standon. They too are ideally suited for this readership. The scattering of his pictures through many of the marginally decorated pages also helps to give this book the visual impression of easy-reading accessibility.
No spoilers, but suffice to say the story ends in much the way that so many young children’s adventures tales have ended over generations. And it is all the better for that. Warm resolution is exactly what this age group needs to go to sleep on after the very best of bedtime stories.
The good news is that, with a February 2nd publication date, there is only the shortest of waits now for this little gem of a book. Those caring for 7-9 year story lovers, and teachers of Year 3 or 4, should not hesitate to seek it out. It will open a world of fantasy to their eager charges, exciting without being threatening. Who knows, it may well also lead on to later enjoyment of the likes of Cornelia Funke’s Dragon Rider, Angie Sage’s Todhunter Moon stories and, of course, Liz Flanagan’s own Dragon Daughter books.
There is further good news for the many young fans that this first Wildsmith adventure will undoubted win. A sequel, Wildsmith: City of Secrets is to follow follow this April. However I sincerely hope Liz Flanagan will also return soon to her brilliant fantasies for older children, be it with another book set in the world of the ‘Shadow Dragons’ or something completely new.