Mistflower is a friendly little mouse. But as the long days of summer draw to a close she increasingly dreads the loneliness winter brings. Her prayers for help are answered in a way she could never have imagined when a small kitten, Silk, is dumped in the garden of the abandoned vicarage which is her home. Terrified, but unable to bring herself to desert him, the courageous mouse finds herself in a life changing adventure. Together the two of them survive the destruction of their home, find many new friends and make a dangerous enemy. Now all they need to do is survive her scheming.
Editorial Reviews
Review
I enjoyed this story very much. It is sweet, yet devious; harmonious, yet deceptive. The friendship between the small kitten and the even smaller mouse is a testament to all the odd relationships animals have formed through the years. When a bully becomes friends with his long time target, or any other odd couple emerges, Mistflower, the Loneliest Mouse is their story. I like that the animals, regardless of their nature (such as a cat to chase a mouse or bird), they come together when needed. Once a year the animals, all of them, gather to celebrate Walpurgis Night. Ghost, a snow-white owl, leads the meeting. For this one night, all creatures are safe as they gather to thank The Great God of all living creatures. This reminded me of WWII, when at Christmas a cease-fire existed for the one day. It also shows that all men can get along, as can all creatures. We only need to try. That may be the gist of the story. The illustrations, at the head of each chapter, foretells the action. The line art, in black and white, are well-drawn, interesting depictions of the characters. Sarah Frances Nash adds unmistakable emotion in the character’s eyes, such as Silk, scared when he realizes Longtooth, a badger, is planning to harm him. Mistflower’s worry is very apparent while watching over Silk, as he recovers from falling into the icy pond. The illustrations give the eyes a nice break from the text. Boys and girls, and even parents, will enjoy Mistflower, the Loneliest Mouse. The violence is minimal. When Caramel tries to kill Silk the author created wonderful scenes that made me worried, yet encouraged. Nothing will frighten even the youngest child, who I think will want to hear this story more than once. There are chapters, making this a good bedtime story told over several nights or used in a classroom-reading circle. With all the fantasy, dystopian worlds, and other belief suspending stories of late, Mistflower, the Loneliest Mouse returns to storytelling based on characters and relationships that do not require one to suspend anything to understand and enjoy the story. It is a simple, eloquent story and one of the best I have had the pleasure of recommending from debut children’s author Krystina Kellingley – Kid Lit Reviews
Review
This is a lovely, delicate and delightful story about a little mouse called Mistflower and a very lost and afraid kitten called Silk. Mistflower finds herself becoming very lonely as the final days of summer come to an end. Her friends have all gone and the Vicarage she calls home is cold and deserted.
Silk is a little kitten that is so busy playing along the lanes chasing butterflies and leaves but discovers herself far from home and with no idea of how to get home as the day draws to an end.
This is about how the two most unlikely creatures become good and trusting friends and face all kinds of adversity in the long abandoned Vicarage gardens. The friends find their way to the barn at Farmer John’s where they begin to make a new life for themselves along with new friends.
Caramel the Cow, who turns out to be not so friendly after all, Lilac her calf, Blackthorn the blackbird rescued from a terrible accident by Silk, Ghost the Owl who in his wisdom lets it be known the animals are all under his care and protection, along with many more characters from the woods and the farm yard all become part of a courageous mouse called Mistflower’s life.
Adventures galore are had by one and all until evil comes into Mistflower and Silks lives placing not only their lives but those of their friends in terrible jeopardy.
Mistflower is a story about friendship, good and evil, finding friends in the most unlike places, giving, life and living and even when things seem to be at their darkest, hope along with a helping hand to guide.
As a first novel from Kellingley it is a triumph and one that should not be restricted to the YA/Young reader category. Amongst the pages there are gentle reminders to all that kindness, friendship and going the little bit extra when required comes with rewards and gifts of its own. –
Jan Mawdesley Bluewolf Reviews
About the Author
As well teaching creative writing, Krystina has worked as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and a dream analysist. She travels internationally to tutor in writing workshops as well as privately mentoring new writers of adult and childrens fiction. She has a BA in Imaginative Writing and Literature and an MA in Creative Writing. She lives in the UK.
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