One of the wonders of the bookish world is the variety of ways books actually come into being these days. When Ben Eady got in touch about his children’s book The Hidden Creatures of Hackney I knew I had to feature it on Linda’s Book Bag because I was fortunate enough to be brought up in the country in days when it was safe to roam wild around the fields and woods. Not all children are able to experience freedom and wildlife like that and The Hidden Creatures of Hackney is designed to have broad appeal, especially for families living in high-density communities.

Ben is funding his book through a Kickstarter campaign that you’ll find here. I’ve had the privilege of reading The Hidden Creatures of Hackney and I can tell you it’s really worth supporting. My thanks to Ben for sending me a copy of the book. I’m delighted to share my review today.

The Hidden Creatures of Hackney

The Hidden Creatures of Hackney is a story seen through the eyes of Kiran and Karma, as they explore their neighborhood in search of a hidden magical world. The journey begins when the children find a map when playing in Granny’s attic. The map includes instructions for making devices called “Imagi-scopes”. Using these devices and through the power of imagination, they can see and interact with otherwise invisible magical creatures who inhabit each location.

Written and illustrated by award winning Creative Director, Ben Eady: this fantasy-adventure, graphic-novel for developing readers aged 5-10, is written in verse, with a hint of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, a touch of The Gruffalo and a smidge of Pokémon GO. The whole family will love it!

My Review of The Hidden Creatures of Hackney

Karma and Kiran are having adventures.

My goodness The Hidden Creatures of Hackney is a clever book. Knowing that it’s a fantasy adventure book for children aged 5+ who are moving from picture books to lengthier text I was initially unsure that it hit the youngest target audience. However, I was completely wrong. What Benjamin Eady has done is produce the perfect blend of image and text to reach so many young readers. Visually The Hidden Creatures of Hackney looks like a story for middle grade children but the rhyming text accompanying the images is accessible so that this is a story emergent readers and older more reluctant readers will adore. I can see it being a real benefit to children in KS2 who find reading a challenge or unappealing.

I love the potential for literacy use in schools. Well modelled speech, a variety of rhyme patterns, and the opportunity for oracy with discussions about what Kiren and Karma see and experience, or perhaps performance through an element like the Lemur’s stick poem are all woven in to this cracking book.

Whilst the story is set in Hackney, this doesn’t limit the audience. It could be the catalyst for research of another area for children as well as a prompt for children to write similar adventures for their own environment. Animals like lemurs and tigers not usually associated with such settings add interest and prompts for geography and environmental study too. With graffiti, crafting and history included as well as nature, The Hidden Creatures of Hackney would also provide scope for so many cross-curricular activities.

However, all of that is all very well, but the true essence of The Hidden Creatures of Hackney is much more important. It’s about childhood fun, fantasy and adventure. It’s a story that stimulates imagination and provides enjoyment and entertainment for children. It’s colourful in appearance and content so that children are given real joy in reading this book.  Benjamin Eady’s The Hidden Creatures of Hackney is highly impressive and I really recommend it.

About Ben Eady

If you’d like to be part of the journey for The Hidden Creatures of Hackney, you can view the Kickstarter campaign here.

You’ll find more information on Instagram or Facebook and on the website too. Ben has recently joined Twitter @H1ddenCreatures.