The Diary of Wiska Wildflower: The New School (From the creator of Isadora Moon, Harriet Muncaster)

From the bestselling author of the much-loved Isadora Moon series, Harriet Muncaster invites readers into a brand-new magical world with the introduction of Wiska Wildflower.

Wiska is a young Wiskling who lives in the enchanting Wiskling Wood and is about to begin an exciting new chapter in her life at the prestigious Inkcap's Academy. Like many children facing a new school, Wiska feels a mixture of excitement and nervousness. She is leaving behind her old school, familiar surroundings, and cherished friends, hoping to make new friendships and discover exciting adventures along the way.

When Wiska arrives at Inkcap's Academy, she soon meets Cleobelle and Primrose, and it seems as though all her hopes have come true. However, as she settles into her new environment, Wiska begins to realise that she needs to show her true colours, to be herself.

I thoroughly enjoyed this latest novel from Harriet Muncaster. The story has all the charm, magic, and warmth that fans of Isadora Moon love. The book reminded me of many of the stories I loved as a child, particularly because it is presented in a diary-style. The pages are filled with letters, notes, diagrams, and extra snippets of information that help bring Wiska's world to life and make the reading experience even more immersive.

I have no doubt that this book will be incredibly popular with my class, many of whom are already devoted fans of Isadora Moon. The beautiful illustrations, relatable characters, and magical setting make this a perfect choice for children who enjoy fantasy stories with heart. I am already looking forward to discovering what adventures await Wiska next.

208 pages / Reviewed by Lauren Maidman, class teacher

Suggested Reading Age 7+

It was really fun and I loved it. I liked how Wiska did something and then changed her mind so she could dress as she wanted and enter a design competition with her best forever friend - not her new friends who weren't as nice.

Suggested Reading Age 5+

You are immersed in the world of Wiskling Wood from the very moment that you open this mesmerising book. It is clear that Harriet's childhood hobbies of drawing and creating miniature worlds for tiny characters were not wasted.

In The Diary of Wiska Wildflower: The New School, she has carefully created ways in which to share a huge depth of information with the reader in an accessible way before you begin the adventure with Wiska. The reader is given a character profile of Wiska; map of the woods; guide to the woods; notes on the woods; invitation to Wiska's new school. All of this additional detail would lend itself brilliantly to a shared reading session or a class text where pupils can develop their own adventures or story maps. 

The story is told in diary format, and although it is based in in a fictional world, the main themes will be clearly recognisable to the reader and the decisions that Wiska has to make particularly around new schools and friendships. This will also allow for discussions in groups or as a class as to what different characters should do.

The Diary of Wiska Wildflower will be the perfect book for young chapter book readers to read before they move on to Victoria Stitch as this is also set in Wiskling Woods. I look forward to reading more about Wiska and the Wiskling Woods as I know that this will be a bestselling series just like Isadora Moon.

105 pages / Reviewed by Amanda Shipton, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 5+