LoveReading4Kids Says
June 2025 Book of the Month
Only Sally Gardner could have conjured up Pernickety Boo, a wonderfully innocent, more than slightly magical talking umbrella with the ability to time travel, and a penchant for eating gloves; and aren’t we lucky she has!
Left behind on an underground train by his absent-minded owner, a sorcerer who has equally absent-mindedly brought him to life, Pernickety is sent from the Lost Property Office to a jumble sale where he is found by exactly the right person, a little girl named Sylvie Moonshine, someone who holds onto him, even when he’s soggy.
His adventures with Sylvie, and separately with her cat Jimjam, are full of charm, whether they are time-travelling or taking on nasty scoop-chasing journalist Ada Moore and Pernickety’s idiosyncratic understanding of the world brings a special degree of humour and unpredictability to every situation. Chris Mould’s illustrations are equal to the sparkling originality of the story, and this is a delight.
Reviewed by Andrea ReeceAndrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
More reviews by Andrea Reece About Pernickety Boo
'This captivating series of adventures is ideal for those who love whimsical humour' Guardian, Best Children's Books of the YearWritten by Carnegie and Costa Award-winning author Sally Gardner and beautifully illustrated throughout by Greenaway-shortlisted artist Chris Mould, Pernickety Boo is the unforgettable story of a very unusual umbrella.'Hello,' said the umbrella.'Gosh,' said the boy. The umbrella's handle was carved in the shape of a dog's head, with a very long snout and a shiny nose and ears that flopped back.
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Pernickety Boo Synopsis
'This captivating series of adventures is ideal for those who love whimsical humour' Guardian, Best Children's Books of the YearWritten by Carnegie and Costa Award-winning author Sally Gardner and beautifully illustrated throughout by Greenaway-shortlisted artist Chris Mould, Pernickety Boo is the unforgettable story of a very unusual umbrella.'Hello,' said the umbrella.'Gosh,' said the boy. The umbrella's handle was carved in the shape of a dog's head, with a very long snout and a shiny nose and ears that flopped back.
'You can talk.''I suppose I can,' said the umbrella.'Do you have a name?' asked the boy.'No,' said the umbrella. 'Do I need a name?''Yes,' said the small boy. 'You need one for someone to let you in at the front door, and another name to be let out the back door.'Brought to life by a careless sorcerer, Pernickety Boo is a well-educated umbrella with unexplored magical powers - and after he is left behind on the London Underground by his forgetful creator, Pernickety must find an owner: someone who will truly love him.So when Pernickety meets young Sylvie Moonshine and is welcomed into her home, he thinks that all of his prayers have been answered.
But there are plenty of other people who are also interested in the magical umbrella, and who threaten to separate Pernickety from his beloved Sylvie, unless he can find a way to stop them.Perfect for fans of A Bear Called Paddington, The Velveteen Rabbit, and Winnie-the-Pooh, this instant classic is a book for the whole family to share.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9780008835026 |
| Publication date: |
19th November 2026 |
| Author: |
Sally Gardner |
| Illustrator: |
Chris Mould |
| Publisher: |
HarperCollins Children's Books an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
208 pages |
| Series: |
Pernickety Boo |
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About Sally Gardner
Sally Gardner is a multi-award-winning novelist, whose books have sold over 2 million copies in the UK and been translated into more than 25 languages. Sally earned a First-Class Honours degree from Central St. Martin’s Art School and worked for many years as a theatre designer, working on some notable productions. After her twin daughters and her son were born, she started to illustrate children’s books, and then turned to writing. Sally won both the Costa Children’s Book Prize and the Carnegie Medal for Maggot Moon (2012). Sally is an avid spokesperson for dyslexia. Having been branded ‘unteachable’ by some and sent to various schools, Sally was eventually diagnosed at the age of twelve as being severely dyslexic and is passionately trying to change how dyslexia is perceived by society.
Her historical novel for older readers, I, Coriander, won the Smarties Children's Book Prize in 2005. Two thrillers both set at the time of the French Revolution, The Red Necklace and The Silver Blade, which was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 2009, followed. Actor Dominic West (The Wire) has bought the film rights to both titles.
Her YA novel, The Double Shadow, was published in 2011 to critical acclaim. Sally Gardner's stories for middle readers include Lucy Willow and the popular Magical Children series of six titles: The Strongest Girl in the World, The Invisible Boy, The Boy with Magic Numbers, The Smallest Girl in the World, The Boy with the Lightning Feet, and The Boy who could Fly, which are also available as audio books. She has also written and illustrated picture books including The Fairy Catalogue, The Glass Heart, The Book of Princesses and Playtime Rhymes. Sally Gardner continues to be an avid spokesperson for dyslexia, working to change the way it is perceived by society. She is dyslexic and argues that it is not a disability, but a gift.
If you'd love to know more about Sally, click here to download a more detailed biography and Q&A.
To see a video of Sally talking about her book Fairy Shopping - CLICK HERE
Or watch a video of her talking about The Silver Blade:
More About Sally Gardner
