Never Girls – Finding Tinker Bell 2 – Through the Dark Forest

Kiki Thorpe's Through the Dark Forest is the second Finding Tinker Bell book, a Never Girls adventure for 6 year olds about a gloomy forest and a girl who's secretly terrified of flying.

What happens

The Never Girls are four friends with a secret way into Never Land. Kate, Mia, Lainey and little Gabby. Tinker Bell has gone missing at sea in a toy boat (their great-grandfather's model boat, which Gabby left behind), and they're out searching for her with four fairies.

Mia has a secret of her own. Everyone thinks she got over her fear of heights ages ago. She didn't. She just learned never to look down.

So when she flies straight into a storm because she can't face the long way round, it goes badly. There's a flash, the world flips upside down and they all land on a strange beach. Two fairies are missing. The map in Gabby's pocket has changed. Could this be Shadow Island?

Then the forest starts playing tricks. A pale blue mushroom seems to be following them. The fairies' lights wink out one by one. A leaf folds right up around Rosetta! Tiny sprites in toadstool hats jab at the girls' ankles with asparagus spears (it's funnier than it sounds).

The best part is how much of it happens inside Mia's head. She blames herself. She wishes Kate were there. She's sure every decision she makes is the wrong one. Lots of children will know that feeling of being the one in charge when you don't feel ready.

It's spooky in a cosy way. The dark is creepy and the giant trees are grumpy, and there are a few tense moments, but it's pitched just right for young readers. Rosetta's night-time chat with a very old, very lonely tree is a lovely quiet moment.

If you've got a Tinker Bell fan who's ready for a longer story, this is a gentle step up.

What to read next

If they're desperate to know what happens next, On the Lost Coast carries straight on, with Kate hot, footsore and pretty sure they're all walking in circles.