If you cast your minds back you may remember that over the August Bank Holiday weekend, I was lucky enough to be invited to a book launch for a very special new release by the wonderful James Nicol.

Book events are a lovely thing to attend. They feel like a party to say 'well done' to someone for creating, writing and bringing a book to publication. There are always drinks and tasty nibbles. If lucky, as well as talking with the author, you get to see a glimpse behind the curtain of the novel-writing process. And of course, there are always lots of lovely, freshly unboxed copies of the new book. Forget new car smell it is new books that smell loveliest!

In this case, I was particularly looking forward to the launch of The Spell Tailors as it was written by the author of The Apprentice Witch series, James Nicol, who, back in the day, was a bookselling chum! We shared a cheeky manager called Bec. And it was Bec who introduced me to my husband. Life really is a series of meetings and partings.

The Plot

Hen dreams of the joining the family spell tailor business making magical handmade outfits.

But the shop is struggling, thanks to the cheap clothing factory that has opened nearby.

Stumbling upon a stitch - one that can sew memories into seams - Hen thinks he has the answer that will save them. Instead he's shocked to be banned from sewing forever.

What is going on? And can he unravel the mystery before it's too late.

My ThoughtsStumbling upon a stitch - one that can sew memories into seams - Hen thinks he has the answer that will save them. Instead he's shocked to be banned from sewing forever.

What is going on? And can he unravel the mystery before it's too late.

My Thoughts

I always wondered what it would be like to meet your favourite authors and ask them about their inspirations, and meanings behind their works. In this case, it is quite a privilege. James shared with us how his own grandma would knit red scarves and had on display her sewing box. It was fascinating learning about the writing process and the importance of a good editor and we saw a selection of James' handwritten notes.

Hen, is a very pragmatic character, calmly dealing with things that veer wildly out of his control, and it is his relationship with his grandmother that is immensely touching with their shared love of sewing. This relationship shines throughout the story.

The imagination of the world that James Nicol has created is perfect and believable. We learn that spell stitches can be woven into clothes to ensure that the wearer will never get wet, or will always be warm. But it is the memory stitches which allow the wearer to enter the memory of someone else that seem to cause the most trouble for poor Hen and from this he discovers a long-hidden family secret.

There is an important message about the sustainability of clothes, making use of and mending beloved garments vs purchasing fast, mass-produced fashion. A comment on our modern day, disposable world. If you have ever watched The Great British Sewing Bee and marvelled at the contestants ability to make a dress out of a shell suit and a scarf, then I think you will enjoy Hen's creative designs.

All in all, this book is immensely enjoyable. It's warm, magical and has a big heart. If you are looking for a wonderful magical story for your children to read, then please do buy this book. It is spell-binding with real warmth.