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The Notted Island
- GenresMiddle Grade
144 pages, Hardcover
Published October 7, 2025
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97 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 15, 2025
Truly lovely, an inventive and enchanting story accompanied by some gorgeous, gorgeous illustrations. My only gripe is that the pacing could’ve been better, I wished there was more tension to reflect the most important plot points. That said, it’s a very slim book so probably tricky to do so. Still very much recommended!
December 2, 2025
🎨✨Warning: This book starts in black and white and will steal your heart and maybe your cake!
Reading The Notted Island by Katherine Child felt like I’d been scooped up by a gust of salty island wind and dropped right into Last Island itself. And let me just say: when a book starts with the world was black and white, you know you’re in for something special.
Umbertiska Lupp stole my heart immediately. Maybe it was the pockets full of cake, a trait I deeply admire, maybe it was her stubborn optimism, or maybe it was the way she looks at a world stripped of color and says, “Nope. Not on my watch.” Watching her march off to bring unity and vibrancy to a struggling island despite the bumbling Notte and the ridiculously suspicious Automated Night Sky salesman felt like cheering on a friend who refuses to accept a dull world.
And can we talk about the book itself? This gold-foiled hardback is basically a treasure chest. The illustrations start in stark black and white and gradually bloom into color as the story grows like the book is breathing itself awake. Every page turn felt like a little moment of magic. I kept stopping to admire the art, running my thumb along the gold edges like it was some sort of enchanted artifact which, honestly, it is.
The whole thing is warm, quirky, hopeful, and just a bit odd in the best way. It reminded me that adventure doesn’t always come from grand quests, sometimes it comes from someone small deciding the world can be better and then actually doing something about it.
⚡️Thank you Flying Eye Books and Katherine Child for sharing this book with me!
Reading The Notted Island by Katherine Child felt like I’d been scooped up by a gust of salty island wind and dropped right into Last Island itself. And let me just say: when a book starts with the world was black and white, you know you’re in for something special.
Umbertiska Lupp stole my heart immediately. Maybe it was the pockets full of cake, a trait I deeply admire, maybe it was her stubborn optimism, or maybe it was the way she looks at a world stripped of color and says, “Nope. Not on my watch.” Watching her march off to bring unity and vibrancy to a struggling island despite the bumbling Notte and the ridiculously suspicious Automated Night Sky salesman felt like cheering on a friend who refuses to accept a dull world.
And can we talk about the book itself? This gold-foiled hardback is basically a treasure chest. The illustrations start in stark black and white and gradually bloom into color as the story grows like the book is breathing itself awake. Every page turn felt like a little moment of magic. I kept stopping to admire the art, running my thumb along the gold edges like it was some sort of enchanted artifact which, honestly, it is.
The whole thing is warm, quirky, hopeful, and just a bit odd in the best way. It reminded me that adventure doesn’t always come from grand quests, sometimes it comes from someone small deciding the world can be better and then actually doing something about it.
⚡️Thank you Flying Eye Books and Katherine Child for sharing this book with me!
September 30, 2025
This read has a wonderful sense of whimsy and magic about it that had me feeling I was 10 again, discovering the best book I would ever read that would lead me into a love of reading forever.
Colour is visiting all the lands but Last Island remains without colours. Illustrated in black pencil throughout most of the story we follow Umbertiska Lupp who always looks to the skies, her head full of the creatures at night and of course the Island's Notte, who brings the night sky over but is rather inconsistent with time keeping.
Enter a salesman who wants to sell them the latest automatic night sky. Surely the islanders wish for a more up to date and reliable night sky? Maybe then colour would come to Last Island?
Tisky discovers other papers, not trusting the salesman, and decides to set out on a journey over the island to find Nott to tell her how much the islanders would like her to keep being their Notte.
It's a wonderfully built world where visitors should remain to the South side, Sprites are not to be disturbed in any way and paperwork ought to be kept away from the goats.
I really wanted Tisky to help the island keep their Notte and find out if colour could be tempted to visit.
Wonderful storytelling through illustrations and the beautiful characters created here are unforgettable. A future classic for all ages.
Visit the Notted Island, a timeless story that is the perfect gift to share with someone special.
thank you Kate at Flying Eye for gifted proof edition. I can't wait to see the final copy.
Colour is visiting all the lands but Last Island remains without colours. Illustrated in black pencil throughout most of the story we follow Umbertiska Lupp who always looks to the skies, her head full of the creatures at night and of course the Island's Notte, who brings the night sky over but is rather inconsistent with time keeping.
Enter a salesman who wants to sell them the latest automatic night sky. Surely the islanders wish for a more up to date and reliable night sky? Maybe then colour would come to Last Island?
Tisky discovers other papers, not trusting the salesman, and decides to set out on a journey over the island to find Nott to tell her how much the islanders would like her to keep being their Notte.
It's a wonderfully built world where visitors should remain to the South side, Sprites are not to be disturbed in any way and paperwork ought to be kept away from the goats.
I really wanted Tisky to help the island keep their Notte and find out if colour could be tempted to visit.
Wonderful storytelling through illustrations and the beautiful characters created here are unforgettable. A future classic for all ages.
Visit the Notted Island, a timeless story that is the perfect gift to share with someone special.
thank you Kate at Flying Eye for gifted proof edition. I can't wait to see the final copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2025
The Notted Island is a captivating middle grade novel that draws readers into a richly imagined world filled with mystery, wonder, and emotional depth. Katherine Child crafts a story that balances adventure with thoughtful reflection, making it both engaging and meaningful for younger readers.
What stands out most is the sense of discovery. The island setting feels alive and layered, encouraging curiosity while allowing the characters’ growth to unfold naturally. The pacing is strong, the atmosphere is immersive, and the story invites readers to think about courage, belonging, and resilience without ever feeling heavy handed.
This is a beautifully written middle grade novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy imaginative settings, quiet magic, and stories that stay with them long after the final page.
What stands out most is the sense of discovery. The island setting feels alive and layered, encouraging curiosity while allowing the characters’ growth to unfold naturally. The pacing is strong, the atmosphere is immersive, and the story invites readers to think about courage, belonging, and resilience without ever feeling heavy handed.
This is a beautifully written middle grade novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy imaginative settings, quiet magic, and stories that stay with them long after the final page.
January 9, 2026
The Notted Island is a delightful and imaginative middle grade story that blends curiosity, courage, and discovery into a tightly woven adventure. Katherine Child creates a world that immediately feels inviting, drawing young readers into a setting filled with mystery and quiet wonder. The storytelling is clear and engaging, making it easy for readers to connect with both the journey and its emotional undercurrents.
What makes this book especially appealing is its balance of adventure and heart. The pacing suits middle grade readers perfectly, and the themes of exploration, problem solving, and resilience are handled with warmth and care. The Notted Island has the kind of charm that resonates with young readers while also appealing to parents and educators looking for thoughtful, age appropriate fiction.
What makes this book especially appealing is its balance of adventure and heart. The pacing suits middle grade readers perfectly, and the themes of exploration, problem solving, and resilience are handled with warmth and care. The Notted Island has the kind of charm that resonates with young readers while also appealing to parents and educators looking for thoughtful, age appropriate fiction.
December 9, 2025
Notted Island is one of the best produced books I have ever seen or handled. In a nice blue thick card cover, it is full of beautiful pictures, well worth cherishing.
The story may be aimed at children, but adults will love it too. It's about the world losing its colour, and a quest to restore it with the help of magical creatures, all shown in many absolutely beautiful pictures. Katherine Child is both author and illustrator. When colour does exist, her drawings are colourful and fun. When they are not, the illustration is just as proficient, but in charcoal only, as befits the events in the story. Both the charcoal and colour illustrations are beautiful. I am sure to return to it to visit its world again. Her fictional world is well worked out.
It perhaps is not necessary to say that the book is one to be treasured in a paper format, not an ebook.
The story may be aimed at children, but adults will love it too. It's about the world losing its colour, and a quest to restore it with the help of magical creatures, all shown in many absolutely beautiful pictures. Katherine Child is both author and illustrator. When colour does exist, her drawings are colourful and fun. When they are not, the illustration is just as proficient, but in charcoal only, as befits the events in the story. Both the charcoal and colour illustrations are beautiful. I am sure to return to it to visit its world again. Her fictional world is well worked out.
It perhaps is not necessary to say that the book is one to be treasured in a paper format, not an ebook.
June 26, 2025
Very excited to see the final copy, with colour. I got a sneak peek of it, and it is going to be outstanding.
October 10, 2025
Found it very whimsy and timeless a fantasy read.
October 6, 2025
i thought this was so cute and fun (especially the illustrations).
my only wish was that the pacing was better, i would've liked more story bc it moved so fast!
my only wish was that the pacing was better, i would've liked more story bc it moved so fast!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews