Hodder has reissued McKay’s delightful Exiles series with bright new covers. Although this book isn’t strictly in the series, all her work intertwines in a wonderfully reassuring way. The McKay fictional universe has elements of Enid Blyton, but is well written and much more reminiscent of Jane Gardam. It’s a vision of family life that many children will find appealing, and the idea of having a chicken pox club (in which you’re told stories of the past while being looked after with your similarly afflicted friends) is terrific. Another success for the talented Ms McKay.

ADELE GERAS