In three words: secret worlds - adventure – magic There are echoes of Narnia in this exciting adventure which begins with two children finding a door into another world, not in a wardrobe, but in an abandoned workshop full of old railway paraphernalia. Behind the door Ella and Leo find a magic steam train, powered by squirrels and driven by a young man called Barty Buckle. The children are vital to the kingdom of Izzambard: only if they can find missing special objects will its magic return. The story is full of intriguing and original scenes and will sweep readers along while Ella and Leo are thoroughly appealing characters. Sam Usher has fun illustrating robot butterflies, beaver waiters and a hippopotamouse! ~ Andrea Reece
The Kingdom of Izzambard is in trouble. Big trouble. Griselda, the Master Clockmaker, has stopped time and released her mechanical birds to spread chaos and misery. They spy on anyone who might believe in the old ways of magic and laughter and the whole kingdom lives in fear. Brother and sister, Leo and Ella Leggit are clever enough and brave enough to stop Griselda and her birds - they just don't know it yet. But when a magical train puffs into their lives, driven by the mysterious Bartholomew Buckle, all that changes ...Will Leo and Ella be able to bring magic back to Izzambard once again and get home in time for fish fingers? Hop on board The Secret Railway to find out!
'I really, really enjoyed this story about a brother and sister who discover a secret railway next to their new house.' Bookwitch
Author
About Wendy Meddour
Wendy Meddour is a Doctor of English Literature and an internationally successful and award-winning children’s writer. Her debut children’s book, A Hen in the Wardrobe, was selected as one of the Guardian’s ‘Best 50 diverse Children’s Books since the 1950s’ and won the John C Laurence Award for writing that improves relations between races. Wendy is also the author of several picture books, including the highly acclaimed Lubna and Pebble. Wendy also teaches Creative Writing at Exeter University
Wendy grew up in a little seaside town called Aberystwyth. She is an internationally successful children’s writer, with books translated into multiple languages and featured on CBBC Newsround, Cbeebies Bedtime Story, and BBC Woman’s Hour.
