Allison Rushby (text) and Bronte Rose Marando (illustrator), Miss Penny Dreadful and the Midnight Kittens, Walker Books Australia, August 2022, 144 pp., RRP $15.99 (pbk), ISBN 9781760654030
Penny does not believe Miss Strickland’s School for Girls of an Enquiring Mind is right for her. Rather than enquiring about scientific theorems, Penny’s mind imagines such things as student eating bear invasions and she sketches her imaginings zealously in notebooks that she forgets to hide from her teachers. Miss Strickland herself told Penny she enquires about all the wrong things and that she best be careful because girls can’t get by on daydreams and fancies alone.
So when Penny’s Aunt Harriet, author of the renowned ‘penny dreadful’ stories comes to whisk her away from the school, she is ecstatic. Free of the classroom monotony, Penny embarks on an adventure with Aunt Harriet, her pet monkey, Jones and her publisher Mr Crowley.
Penny soon discovers that her aunt often falls into feverish writing spells when inspiration calls and lives in a world where a little leeway with the truth is seen as opening up a richer, more interesting life experience. This suits Penny just fine as she too delves into this world. But when Penny realises that Mr Crowley is more deceitful in his dealings than he is letting on she must use her rational and enquiring mind to make sure her aunt is not lead astray.
The premise of this delightful series is a dream-come true for any child stuck in a classroom. Who hasn’t desperately imagined a long lost relative swooping in and taking them on an adventure away from the mundane routine of school? Coupled with the character, Penny herself, who is intelligent, inquisitive and charismatic, this first book in a new series, will be highly relatable to children aged eight to eleven.
The dichotomy of who you believe you are and who others tell you you are, is a strong theme throughout, as this story is largely about self-discovery at a character level. Penny realises that she can combine the two seemingly opposing parts of her mind, whimsy and rationality. That they can live harmoniously rather than act as binary opposites as Miss Strickland lead her to believe. Author, Allison Rushby, has eloquently laid bare this development of Penny and her journey of self-discovery in the last chapter where she emphasises traits such as persistence, confidence or trust in oneself, the power or importance of observation, conflict resolution and following flights of fantasy.
In terms of plot, the story has a deliciously absurd mystery and is fast-paced for an eager reader. It culminates in a neat and comforting ending with an intriguing second plot line hinted at, a set up for the next instalment. I enjoyed the supporting illustrations interspersed throughout, particularly the small images that head each chapter. They added a special element and encouragement for young readers to peruse the finer details.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, a journey I went on with my nine-year-old daughter who eagerly awaits a second instalment.
Reviewed by Katie Mineeff
