Rosemary and the Witches of Pendle is fabulous.

I absolutely loved this book and would happily read any more if this is going to be in a series.

Samantha Giles has created some wonderful three-dimensional characters and Rosemary who is the main character in the book is adorable.

I loved seeing the world through her eyes and it's incredible how insightful she is in regards to friends and family. The relationship between Rosemary and Louis is incredibly realistic and her irritation at how she behaves reminds me of my own children when they were younger.

The portrayal of mental health illness is thoughtfully written and shows how children can be incredibly perceptive to things that adults often do not see. You see Rosemary and Louis’s father struggling with depression as well as the Mother of a school friend of Rosemary is receiving in-patient care for a form of mental illness. This was a first for me and I thought it was incredible to see two issues that children do have to face and have an impact upon their family. I do hope that other children’s authors acknowledge that sadly children do have to experience and live with others who struggle daily with what is deemed invisible illnesses.

The fantasy side of the story is enthraling and I was drawn into the adventures of Rosie, Louis and Rosie’s best friend Adi as they discover that there is a portal to a magical world in Rosie’s front room. I loved how Rosie’s adventure to help the descendants of the famous Witches of Pendle in Lancashire will impact on the problems that are affecting her family. (I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone)

The book is fantastic and I’m so glad I read it, I only wish my children were younger to read it to!