The Diary of Wiska Wildflower: The Crystal Cave

By Author / Illustrator

Harriet Muncaster

Genre

Fairy Tales & Folk Tales

Age range(s)

Publisher

OUP Children's Books

ISBN

9781382054270

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

04-06-2026

Synopsis

Wiska Wildflower is back! From the creator of Isadora Moon, Harriet Muncaster. Told in diary format and packed with beautiful full-colour illustrations, this is the enchanting story of Wiska Wildflower's first school expedition - to one of the most dangerous places in all of Wiskling Wood!

'We're going on a school trip to Wiskling Mountain! We have to read a map and make our own camp and find and cook our own food - it's a BIG deal.'

Wiska is excited to be paired with Citrine for the school trip, but when Citirne persuades her to join her on a secret mission to find a rare starflower, she begins to have doubts. After disaster strikes, the friends seek sanctuary in a hidden spot in Wiskling Wood. What they find there is incredible and life-changing. But will their friendship survive this dangerous adventure?

Book 2 following the Children's bestseller The Diary of Wiska Wildflower: The New School. Find out more from bestselling author Harriet Muncaster!

Reviews

Amanda

The Diary of Wiska Wildflower: The Crystal Cave is the enchanting second book in the bestselling children's series by Harriet Muncaster. Aimed at readers new to chapter books, this magical, illustrated diary follows the fairy-like Wiskling, Wiska, on a thrilling and sometimes dangerous school trip to Wiskling Mountain that tests her friendships.

The balance of text and illustrations has been well considered allowing the reader to remain fully engaged from the first page to the end. The colour and detail used adds to the magical adventure, allowing the characters to come to life in their imaginations. The diary format breaks the story into small chunks, guiding the reader through the amazing adventure and clearly defining the pace of the narrative.

In schools, the Wiska Wildflower adventures would clearly support children reading for pleasure. In addition, this wonderful text could be used to study the diary text-type story, character development, plot development and language choice. The additional details such as the hot chocolate recipe, labelled diagrams, timetables and maps add so much joy and engagement with the adventure. I look forward to reading Wiska Wildflower's next adventure.

208 pages / Reviewed by Amanda Shipton, teacher