Apprentice of the Stones Book 2: The Door in the Woods

Apprentice of the Stones Book 2: The Door in the Woods by Wendy Haynes (Inprint Publishing) MG RRP $19.79 ISBN 97809876435 6 8

Reviewed by Jude Mullen

In this sequel to Saving Hollow Woods, orphans Gertrude and Tristan once again embark on an adventure in The Four Lands, inhabited by colonies of elves, goblins, trolls, and dwarfs.

After ‘scrying’ a goblin girl in Hollow Woods, Gertrude is compelled to find out more about her, so she convinces Tristan to return with her to the secret world they previously discovered on Aunty Betty’s farm. Once there, they meet up with their old friends and soon set off on a journey to save Hollow Woods from the evil force of Folmar, who threatens the safety and tranquillity of its inhabitants.

With magic spells, dragons, wizards, and a very wise owl, the story has a definite Harry Potter flavour. The underground setting, mythical creatures, and the series of challenges that Gertrude and Tristan encounter also evoke echoes of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series.

If you have not read the first book in this series, Saving Hollow Woods, it may take a while to settle into the detailed and complex fictional world that Haynes has created, and to get to know its large cast of characters. However, pertinent details of the preceding story are revealed throughout the narrative, which means that this can comfortably be read as a stand-alone. The ending is satisfying, with questions raised at the novel's beginning being answered, but Haynes cleverly leaves the door open for another book in the series.

This is a book for fantasy and adventure lovers. Its language and themes make it suitable for ten to twelve-year-old readers, especially those who enjoy reading series.

Hayden’s Bedtime

Hayden’s Bedtime by Wendy Haynes, illustrated by Brett Curzon (Inprint Publishing) HB RRP $22.99 ISBN: 9780987643506

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

Many children fret about the infamous monster under the bed, and Hayden is no different. He begs his dad to check not only under his bed, but also behind his door, inside his cupboard and in his drawer. To Hayden’s delight, his dad finds nothing more sinister than ‘a blue building block’ and ‘a very smelly sock’. After listening to a bedtime story, Hayden settles down easily because ‘the coast is clear’ and he has ‘nothing to fear’.

Hayden’s Bedtime is a charming book for children aged three to six years. Inspired by her grandson’s dread of going to bed, Wendy Haynes has created a cheerful and comforting story that chases kids’ concerns away. Fun rhymes ease the stress of getting reluctant youngsters to sleep, ensuring that the bedtime routine is enjoyable for all involved.

Brett Curzon’s sweet illustrations are bursting with bright pinks, deep blues and vivid oranges. They work well with the text, adding a unique layer of tenderness to the tale. The characterisation of the father is particularly appealing, with the bespectacled dad soon becoming an amusing yet reassuring influence throughout the pages.

The strength of Hayden’s Bedtime lies in the book’s ability to allay a child’s wildest worries about the night, replacing them with vibrant vignettes and happy dreams. The sleepy smile on Hayden’s face as his dad says ‘goodnight’ makes for a touching end to this enjoyable story.