Philomella and the Impossible Forest (Doris Brett, HGCP)

Philomella is having a perfectly ordinary terrible day when she stumbles across a door that shouldn’t be there that leads to a library which is, frankly, impossible. Sick of being lonely and miserable, Philomella enters the library and is led to the Impossible Forest which is at risk of disappearing, unless Philomella can save it. Philomella and the Impossible Forest is a playful take on the classic quest story (think Neverending Story or Rowan of Rin) with a splash of Alice in Wonderland. The book’s middle-grade audience will love the relatable Philomella, who is just cynical enough to be realistic. Doris Brett’s background in clinical psychology is evident in this emotionally intelligent book with lessons on forgiveness and self-worth sitting close to the surface, although not onerously so. There’s a sense of hope and playfulness in the world Brett has created that is needed now more than ever, and although Philomella isn’t a particularly unique hero (fitting many underdog tropes), she’s exactly the hero we need right now. Facing a variety of dangers and challenges with a large amount of empathy and creativity, Philomella acts as a timely reminder not to underestimate kindness in the face of danger, and the importance of looking beneath the surface of those around us.

Read Bec Kavanagh’s interview with Doris Brett about Philomella and the Impossible Forest here.  

Books+Publishing reviewer: Bec Kavanagh is a Melbourne writer and academic, and the youth programming manager at the Wheeler Centre. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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