The Boy Who Lost His Spark

“An autumnal balm for anyone in need of a little magic in their lives." – Alex O'Connell, Children's Book of the Week, the Times

“A glorious book, perfect as a gift.” – LoveReading4Kids

“This beautiful book will tug at the heart of any reader regardless of age. […] No one would be unhappy after seeing the stunning illustrations that accompany this extraordinary story.” – Sunday Times, “The 60 children’s books you should buy this Christmas as chosen by the booksellers of Ireland”

“A gentle, empowering tale with entrancing illustrations.” – Daily Mail

“Wonderfully magical" – Mariella Frostrup, Times Radio

“Dramatic, incredibly evocative and full of atmosphere this is a stunning read. - Armadillo Magazine

“The Boy Who Lost His Spark, undeniably has a magical, timeless quality to it, reminiscent of those ancient Celtic legends. […] timeless" – Irish Independent

“Exploring how we deal with pain, loneliness and tough emotions when we face changes and challenges, it’s a beautiful book for everyone." – Pick Me Up’s Book of the Week

“The Boy Who Lost His Spark is a beautifully-crafted, old-fashioned folk story with a contemporary spin. […] A gorgeous, heartwarming tale. – RTE.ie, "10 best Irish children's books of 2022"

An enchanting book. The stunning illustrations are such a treasure, creating an atmosphere and sense of wonder about the story. – The School Librarian

“A really delightful story for 7-9 years. The story is beautifully told and the full colour illustrations are just gorgeous and really enhance the text. I loved it and it is an ideal book for an adult to read to a child or class or for a child to read alone.” – Read for Good

“This tender tale's folkloric magic is heightened by Daniela Terrazzini's atmospheric illustrations.” – Best children’s and YA books of 2022, Guardian

- WINNER of the KPMG Children's Books Ireland Honour Award for Fiction
- Longlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Illustration

Someone in this house was sad but pretending not to be.
Someone – and this thought made a smile curl up on its face – needed some nouka-mischief.

From Maggie O'Farrell, the best-selling and award-winning author of Hamnet and The Marriage Portrait,...read more...