Isadora Moon Goes to School

Harriet Muncaster's Isadora Moon Goes to School is a sweet, funny story for 5 year olds about a girl who's half fairy, half vampire and has no idea which school she belongs in.

What happens

Isadora's mum, a fairy, likes to bathe in the garden pond. Her dad's a vampire who has his breakfast at seven o'clock at night and only eats red food. Isadora has wings, a black tutu with silver stars and a toy rabbit called Pink Rabbit that Mum magicked to life.

When her parents decide she should start school, there's one big question. Fairy school or vampire school? So she tries a day at one and a night at the other.

Neither goes to plan! At fairy school her wand turns one small carrot into a giant flying carrot that wrecks the classroom. She has to swap her beloved black tutu for a puffy pink one. And she picks toadstools from a sacred fairy ring (they're poisonous).

Vampire school isn't much better. She's been awake all day, her fairy wings can't keep up with the other vampires, the snack is tomato juice (yuck) and Pink Rabbit lets every single pet bat out of the window.

Isadora tells the story herself, so it's like having a chatty little friend explain everything. Young readers will love Pink Rabbit, who can't talk or fly but is always up to something.

Under all the silliness there's a gentle story about not fitting in. Isadora wants to know which half of her is the real one. Most children have felt like the odd one out at some point, haven't they? Her dad's telescope gives her a lovely way of thinking about it, because every star is different and they're all beautiful.

For a child who's nervous about starting school or trying something new, this could be a really nice one to share. And for anyone who likes their fairies with a bit of black glitter, it's perfect.

What to read next

If they want more of the Moon family, Isadora Moon Goes Camping packs everyone off to the seaside, even though Dad does not do camping.