The Magic of Magnolia Moon

For Magnolia Moon, magic is a way to solve problems. And when you're starting a new class at school and your best friend doesn't live across the road anymore, problems seem to come easily.


In her latest adventure, Magnolia Moon invents everyday magic to help her navigate the pitfalls of friendship, school, family, and being ten. A lyrical and imaginative tale which highlights everyday wonders through Magnolia's curious and observant nature.

“Wyatt's text shows an appreciation of both the drollness and profundity of children's thinking, and the story's message about appreciating the little, everyday things is welcome and timely. . . . Ainslie's illustrations, rendered in pencil and gentle watercolors, are airy and sweet. . . A charmer that reminds readers to cultivate simple pleasures, recognize life's commonplace gifts, and enjoy a little cake.”

Wyatt’s text shows an appreciation of both the drollness and profundity of children’s thinking, and the story’s message about appreciating the little, everyday things is welcome and timely. . . . Ainslie’s illustrations, rendered in pencil and gentle watercolors, are airy and sweet. . . A charmer that reminds readers to cultivate simple pleasures, recognize life’s commonplace gifts, and enjoy a little cake. Kirkus Reviews
Much is worth feting in this sprightly tale, and the atmosphere of gentle anarchy has only one rule: friends ought to notice when friends aren’t feeling their best, and try to give them what will make them happy…Pencil-and-watercolor spreads by Ainslie are light and soft and elegantly composed. Publishers Weekly
Much is worth feting in this sprightly tale, and the atmosphere of gentle anarchy has only one rule: friends ought to notice when friends aren’t feeling their best, and try to give them what will make them happy…Pencil-and-watercolor spreads by Ainslie are light and soft and elegantly composed. School Library Journal
Suitable for an adult reader and child viewer to pick up right before bedtime, with its gently whimsical premise furthered by Ainslie’s dreamy, soft watercolors and scratchy pencil lines. The underlying message about celebrating and appreciating the ordinary is just the right level of sweetness, the icing on the proverbial cake. The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
It has certainly helped me to find a little magic – to stay open and curious to all possibilities. Even if it means looking twice or checking in the dark places under the table when it seems to be hiding. -- Joy Lawn Paper Bark Words

Edwina Wyatt is an award-winning Australian children’s author. She grew up in Sydney, and worked as a lawyer and a high school teacher before becoming a writer of books for young readers. Her debut junior fiction novel was The Secrets of Magnolia Moon. Edwina lives in the Victorian High Country with her husband and two children. She has a passion for horses, paddocks and pine trees, and is an “aspiring” vegetable gardener and pianist (although she cannot read music…). Some of her favourite authors include David Almond, Arnold Lobel, Virginia Woolf, Astrid Lindgren, Michelle Cuevas, Kate DiCamillo and A.A. Milne.


Katherine Quinn is a New Zealand illustrator and surface pattern textile designer based in Hawkes Bay. She works in both traditional and digital illustration, and her work often focuses on long-limbed, big-eyed girls with a touch of innocence and a sense of adventure.

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