The Secret
Tunnel
by Mitchell Stone, illustrated by Nicki Jones (Little Steps Publishing)
PB
RRP $14.95
ISBN 9781921928949
Reviewed
by Emma Cameron
While
many students don’t believe the rumours, the story opens by telling readers
that beneath the classrooms, playground and Principal’s office of Lionfield Public School
They
first believe it exists when they hear the sports teacher and science teacher
talking of it. Only the sports teacher knows the code that opens the entrance
though he mentions “something about” another opening. Edward and Sophie find
out the code when they spot the call number on the spine of a library book entitled
Tunnels. Once inside they close the
door and can’t reopen it so must find the other opening to get back out.
Journeying
along, their sense of hearing and smell confirm where under the school they are,
for example, canteen, staffroom, playground etc. Just as they reach the
tunnel’s end they discover the science teacher is in there. He says “No student
has ever seen my private lab before and it must stay that way.” Edward and
Sophie agree to keep his secret and know that, in return, they will not be in
trouble for having entered the tunnel.
The
45 pages are so filled with brightly coloured pictures they dominate the text
and this is likely to be especially attractive to young readers who may find
text filled early chapter books still a tad daunting. Before the story begins
is an invitation to readers: “Peer through the pictures, in front and behind…
How many spiders can you find?” which is likely to be seen by young readers as
an extra bonus.
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