Natalie Russell

Advantages: Colourful and fun
Disadvantages: I had to read it and read it and read it...

...INTRODUCTION AND AUTHOR This particular book caught my eye with it's bold, bright front cover and I immediately inspected it further. Five minutes later I was convinced my three year old would love it, and purchased it as an impromptu treat. My son, along with most toddlers and preschoolers, is especially fond of colourful stories, with amusing illustrations, and large words, so I figured I was on to a winner here. When I handed it to him, I was proved right, and my theory of what makes a good [very young] child's book was sustained yet again. Natalie Russell is the author and illustrator, and has obviously found her niche here. I have since bought another of her books, entitled 'Home sweet Hamish', another success story as far as the youngest member of my family is concerned. 'Hamish The Highland Cow' is apparently Natalie's first... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: its good
Disadvantages: it would be good if you heard it from tulips point of view

...i have had to read this book at school and i found it really good its about a girl called tulip and a girl called natalie tulip is evil and natalie is good its all about their friendship and what tulip makes natalie do like ;setting fire to things and being rude to people for no reason.in the end natalie ends the friendship with tulip- but obviosly its not that simple as she is just really making natalies life hell. so much happens that you cant remember it all. what i think would be good however is if you heard some of the story from tulips point of view. i would definatly recomend this book. so to anyone who is thinking of buying it i would say absolutly yes!!!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: simple story, convincing characters, interesting ideas
Disadvantages: path of story predictable

...After arriving in a new town, Natalie becomes friends with Tulip, who invents strange games for them to play. As the story develops, it becomes increasingly clear that Tulip's home life is an unhappy one that drives her to spend as much time as possible away from home. Gradually, Natalie realises that everyone is aware of Tulip's situation but nobody seems to be trying to help her; instead, even Natalie's own mother labels her as 'evil'. Ultimately, the novel makes for uncomfortable reading: the final word, 'guilty' is set apart to emphasise that, ultimately, we all have some shared responsibility in how other members in our society turn out. It is a tribute to Fine's skills as a writer that when Natalie finally breaks free of Tulip's mesmerising hold we are not satisfied. We wish that Natalie had somehow been able to save Tulip... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful