The Travelling Restaurant by Barbara Else

This is a story full of mystery but not too much to make it hard to follow. Its about a young boy called Jasper, who lives in the Kingdom of Fontania. One day things go wrong when Lady Gall, their cruel Provisional Monarch puts something in Jasper’s baby sister’s mouth. His parents decide to sail away on a ship called the Blue Swan but for some reason Jasper is left behind. He boards a ship called the Travelling Restaurant and sets out on a mad mission to save his family, especially baby Sibilla. Little does he know that his family holds secrets which will change his life.

I’m liking

It’s a story full of fantasy and magic– ooops I said the forbidden word! I really liked all the surprises, like when they find Jasper’s uncle aboard a pirate ship that they were held captive on.

Things that made me go hmmmm

I did find it a bit slow at first, but later got really into it and by chapter three I was hooked and couldn’t put it down.

The conclusion

The Travelling Restaurant was a finalist in the New Zealand Post Children’s Book Awards. I would recommend this book for confident readers who love some mystery and adventure.

Review by Kiri Sim aged 8