Hilary McKay Press Reviews
'Handsomely illustrated by Nick Maland, it has a humour and a humanity of it's own, and adds to, rather than detracts from, the original.' The Sunday Times
'Wittily illustrated by Nick Maland, packed with humour and just enough heartache to keep readers involved, this charming novel is a real treat' Nicholas Clee, Independent
'In this novel she [McKay] lovingly recreates the 19th -century atmosphere of chilblains, suet knives and visiting occultists... Wishing for Tomorrow is a warm, witty read that offers more realistic advice on climbing out of poverty than inheriting a diamond mine' Daily Telegraph
'This book is a wonderful treat for anyone who loves the classic A Little Princess . Hilary McKay works her own magic in her vividly imagined, carefully constructed sequel - and it's got such a clever ending!' Jacqueline Wilson
'Warm and wise.' Sunday Express
'McKay's book stays loyal to the original characters while bringing them alive again.' Daily Express
'pitch-perfect' Independent on Sunday
'This story is charming, stylish, often funny, and frequently very moving.' The School Librarian
'Hilary McKay has done a superb job of breathing new life into familiar characters and adding a few new ones.' Books for Keeps
'a lively story ... A must for fans.' Daily Mail
'Wishing For Tomorrow perfectly taps into the mindset of A Little Princess without being tepid and repetitious. ... a fantastic read.' The Book Bag
'Loved it! I'd always wanted to know what happened to Lavinia, Ermengarde and the rest of the girls when Sara finally went away. It's a sweet and wistful book; at times slyly funny, always beautifully-written, which manages to be true to the original whilst bringing it gently to a 21st century audience.' Joanne Harris
'For any reader who loves the original -- this sequel is essential reading.' Writeaway
Praise for The Casson Family Books:
'Witty, warm and humourous ... family reading par excellence.' Carousel
'A crazily fantastic story with loads of mad and hilarious moments.' Independent on Sunday
'It does what we hope JK Rowling would do: it makes everything you wish for come true, including the unlikeliest of outcomes.' Sunday Times
'Hilary McKay's wittily observed portrayals of family life are full of warmth, vitality and irrepressible good humour.' Kate Agnew, The Guardian
'just the sort of crazy family you ache to be a part of.' The Good Book Guide
'it's wonderful to have more stories about the engaging and uncommon Casson family!' Parents Express
'... we are so fond of this fresh, funny, foolish, wise, real family.' The Horn Book Magazine
'... as wild and endearing as ever ... Another charmer for Casson fans.' Booklist
'... touching and hiarious. Beautifully crafted descriptive language makes this offering a real gem.' School Library Journal
'McKay has a genius for domestic comedy.' The Sunday Times
'Hilary McKay's strength lies in her understanding of young people and her ability to evoke them very simply.'
The Guardian
'Warm, witty and wise, with unfeasibly broad appeal and proven anti-depressive properties, i would give this book to 9-year olds, teenagers and their parents.' Sunday Telegraph
'... hugely entertaining story effortlessly recreates a tightly knit world, imbued with a strong sense of belonging - a slice of childhood so multi-layered, touching and real that there's something for every child reader to identify with and savour. Here's a book that truly proves the joys to be had from reading.' Books for Keeps
'stylishly written, acutely observed, light-headed and often very funny. At times, it's also incredibly touching and insightful, particularly when dealing with the complexities of family life ... quality writing for children.' School Librarian
'a pitch-perfect reconstruction of the attic world of Miss Minchin's Seminary for Young Ladies, home to Sara Crewe in Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess. If you've ever wondered what happened to her classmates after she inherited that diamond mine, now's your chance to find out.' Independent on Sunday
About Hilary McKay
Hilary McKay won the Costa Children's Book Award for The Skylarks' War, the Guardian Fiction Prize for The Exiles, and the Smarties and the Whitbread Award for The Exiles in Love and Saffy's Angel respectively. Hilary McKay's Fairy Tales was her first book with Macmillan Children's Books and is a critically acclaimed collection of clever retellings.
You can read her character Rose Casson's blog by clicking here - and Rose's tweets on the right hand side of this page.
Q & A with Hilary McKay
What is your earliest childhood memory?
Watching steam trains with my grandfather. He died before I was two years
old, so that is a very early memory.
If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?
Well, who could turn down the gift of flight? Or travel without luggage? Or a
life spent following the sun? Without doubt, I would be a swallow. I realise this
means a lifetime of eating flies, but I think it would be worth it.
What is your dream holiday destination?
I would start at the Sangre de Cristo mountains in New Mexico and travel South
through Central America, along the coast to Peru, then down through Chile
across to the Falklands and on to Antarctica, which I would circumnavigate.
Then I would travel North to New Zealand where I would spend a long time
warming up and then across to Australia. I would spend quite a long time in
Sydney and go up into the Blue Mountains (I might go sapphire hunting there)
and then to the Great Barrier Reef (of course).
That would be far enough for me.
What is your morning routine?
Alas, I do not have a morning routine.
If you could have one special talent, what would it be?
Singing, undoubtedly. That would make me the happiest. But I have a friend
whose talent is languages and I envy that one very much.
Likes: Millions of things! Books, cats, honey, letters from readers (hint, hint), real music, apples, swimming in cold water, chocolate coated ginger biscuits, trees.
Dislikes: Putting things away, litter, loud TV, hot rooms, being told what to think.
3 words that best descibe me: Untidy, happy, hopeful!
A Secret that not many people know: I am a VERY slow reader!
More About Hilary McKay
