Illustrations – Rachel Seago
Lola and Larch meet during a storm. Larch has lost her way. Lola is excited by the prospect of having her very own rabbit.
Only Larch isn’t a rabbit; she’s a tree fairy with wonky magic. Sometimes she’s a fairy. Sometimes she’s a rabbit. Sometimes she’s even a fairy with bunny ears.
While Lola’s mother, a forest ranger, is busy investigating an odd purple mist in the forest, Lola gets to know her new friend. It turns out being a magical creature doesn’t mean you don’t have problems, the most pressing of which for Larch right now is the shadow on the forest floor that could spell danger for her village.
I haven’t found a Sinéad O’Hart book that I haven’t liked yet and don’t expect to anytime soon. I loved getting to witness the beginning of Lola and Larch’s friendship. I appreciated Larch’s range of emotions and the fact that she’s different, giving readers the opportunity to learn to celebrate their differences while having adventures along the way.
I really enjoyed Rachel Seago’s illustrations. The details line up well with the story and the characters, especially Larch, are very expressive.
While I loved them all, one in particular has me fascinated. On page 64, Lola is laying on the grass while Larch is mid feast. There’s a snail making its way across the garden wall. I’m not sure if this is pareidolia (who knew there was a word for it?!) or if there really is supposed to be someone wearing glasses hiding behind the shrub on the right side of the picture. Either way, I can’t stop looking at it!
The nighttime scenes accompanied by white text were some of my favourites.
I initially puzzled over bad fairy Euphorbia Spurge’s name. Then I Googled it and discovered that this works perfectly for her. I saw this plant described as ‘elegant yet tough’ and learned that its sap is poisonous and a skin irritant.
She may not technically be poisonous (although the sequel may prove me wrong) but being a power hungry baddie certainly speaks to her toxicity. I can’t help wondering if I could trick her into helping me out on the nights I have trouble sleeping…
I’m always drawn to the Grandma in children’s books and Lola’s Grandma is adorable. She didn’t leave her belief in magic behind in childhood so I really hope at some stage Larch breaks Rule the First for her.
Rule the First. Never reveal yourself to an Adult Human Creature, for they are Foolish and Not to be Trusted.
I trust you, Grandma!
I would have loved this book as a kid. Adult me found it delightful. It’s one of those books I’d happily read to a child. More than once.
I’m keen to see what this green haired fairy and her Child Human Creature get up to next.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Nosy Crow for the opportunity to read this book.
Once Upon a Blurb
Lola can’t believe her luck – the rabbit she’s rescued is actually a fairy in disguise. Now she has her very own fairy! There’s just one problem. Larch, the rebellious fairy she’s rescued, is convinced that Lola is her human…
But while Larch and Lola discuss the merits of snail slime for breakfast and try to decide who should be in charge, there’s a bad fairy on the loose. Evil Euphorbia Spurge wants magic, and Larch is full of it. Soon it’s a battle of wits, wands and fairy wings as the new friends take on the wildest fairy in the woods…
Beautifully illustrated throughout, Lola and Larch is a heartwarming, funny celebration of friendship. It’s the perfect series for 7+ readers who like fairies, magic, and very naughty rabbits!
Schizanthus Nerd 