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Edie and the Flits #1
Edie and the Box of Flits
A modern classic for readers of THE BORROWERS - about eleven-year-old Edie Winter and her magical box of winged people that only children can see.
When eleven-year-old Edie Winter finds a mysterious box on the London Underground she's amazed to discover that it's home to a family of Flits - tiny winged people. But Impy, Speckle and Nid need Edie's help. Not only do they need supplies (rice crispies, sugar sprinkles, digestive biscuits and raisins) and someone to look after them, but their brother Jot has run away and they need Edie's help to find him.
Set against the backdrop of London and its Underground network, EDIE AND THE BOX OF FLITS is a story about friendship, family and noticing the little things in life.
With delightful black-and-white illustrations by animator, cartoonist and illustrator Joe Berger.
When eleven-year-old Edie Winter finds a mysterious box on the London Underground she's amazed to discover that it's home to a family of Flits - tiny winged people. But Impy, Speckle and Nid need Edie's help. Not only do they need supplies (rice crispies, sugar sprinkles, digestive biscuits and raisins) and someone to look after them, but their brother Jot has run away and they need Edie's help to find him.
Set against the backdrop of London and its Underground network, EDIE AND THE BOX OF FLITS is a story about friendship, family and noticing the little things in life.
With delightful black-and-white illustrations by animator, cartoonist and illustrator Joe Berger.
281 pages, Paperback
Published July 22, 2021
4 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Kate Wilkinson
2 booksKate Wilkinson grew up in Sussex and started her career in Theatre in Education in Manchester famously playing the part of a large intestine in a science show. She moved to London and joined BBC Schools Radio and her first commission was for a long-running series of stories for the pre-school radio programme Listening Corner. She then spent fifteen years at BBC Radio 4 as a reporter and producer working primarily on arts programmes, literary features and readings such as on Book at Bedtime and Book of the Week. She has continued to work freelance for the last fifteen years producing a vast array of ‘sounds’ still for the BBC, and most recently in readings for Radio 4 and audiobooks for Penguin and Bloomsbury.
It was a joy for the most part, but she wanted to get back to writing stories rather than recording them and so she applied for the MA in Writing for Children at Bath Spa University in 2015. Edie and The Box of Flits is her first book and is the first of two Edie stories. Kate lives in London with her partner Ian who is a news journalist and their two boys who are now 18 and 20 and sadly no longer keen on being read bedtime stories.
It was a joy for the most part, but she wanted to get back to writing stories rather than recording them and so she applied for the MA in Writing for Children at Bath Spa University in 2015. Edie and The Box of Flits is her first book and is the first of two Edie stories. Kate lives in London with her partner Ian who is a news journalist and their two boys who are now 18 and 20 and sadly no longer keen on being read bedtime stories.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 1, 2023
Takových 3,5*... Ze začátku mi to přišlo nudné a takové nemastné neslané, ale ten konec to trochu vylepšil.
July 21, 2021
First of all, I love books about lost things. Lost property offices always sound fascinating, I'd love to rummage through the rooms of the London Underground office like Edie does. The Flits are marvellous, tiny little thumb sized people with wings, whose personalities are definitely not miniature! I loved reading how they forage and use everything in different ways. The start of the book is actually quite harrowing but the story is lovely, I really enjoyed reading it. Edie feels lonely since starting secondary school but she ends up with loads of friends. The cover is so gorgeous too, it made me want to read it right away.
February 8, 2022
Full of feeling, fun and rooted in London. Edie is instantly lovable and relatable as she finds joy in the strange collection of lost things that end up in the London Underground Lost Property office where yet Dad works and struggles to figure out what is going on with her friends as their dynamic changes at secondary school. The flits are hilarious and no matter how old you are you'll wish you could see them like Edie!
December 29, 2021
This is such a fun and brilliant story. Travelling on the tube one day with her dad Edie spots a box that a teenager has left behind when exiting the train. She tells her dad who works at the Lost Property Office in Baker Street and the two take the box to be kept there until someone claims it. But when Edie decides to have a look around in the storeroom at the Office, she notices the box and discovers some strange creatures inside who need her help.
I have really enjoyed reading this story and probably even more so as I know London and the underground very well having lived in London and the surrounding area my whole life. When Edie discovers the creatures, called flits, she finds out that they need her help to rescue some of their own who have gone missing. I really enjoyed this story and how it developed. It felt a little bit like the Borrowers, with the flit characters being an interesting bunch, a bit like Borrowers but with wings so they can fly (but don’t ever call them fairies!), and their fondness for sugary treats! I couldn’t help but love the whole miniature people living lives along side us in London.
As the story moves and Edie agrees to help the flits find their family, we’re introduced to an interesting set of characters. Some of my favourites were Benedict, Vera Creech, Nid and the also magpins. I really liked Nid’s character especially, the things he gets up to and his general character and how full of energy he always is. I also liked the way the magpin birds are involved in the story as well as the spy bird. The whole story is an interesting adventure with the flits getting into trouble as Edie tries to help along with the story which goes underground showing some of the hidden parts of London’s Underground lines which was particularly interesting to me. But alongside the flit’s story I also enjoyed Edie’s own personal tale and issues around her new school and the problems she has with Linny, Naz and even Juniper. The book is so well written that it’s easy to love Edie’s character right away and I really resonated with her.
There are illustrations throughout the story which do make it so much more appealing to read and I love how fun the images are and how expressive all of the characters are. I also liked the chapter headers which show a tube line and at the start of every chapter there’s a mention as to where that particular chapter is happening as well as sometimes some fun extras about lost items, which all together just made for some very fun reading! I also love the cover so much, the illustration on the front is lovely but it’s the embossed and shiny golden parts that make this cover just look so special and it’s one of my most favourite covers I’ve seen for a children’s book!
The story has a good and very satisfying ending and I like how everything is resolved for the characters. Throughout the story I never knew what would happen but it was so good I felt glued to every page as I read it. I like what happens to the main villain as well as the flits and Edie in the end, you just end up feeling very happy after reading this book and I wanted to re-read it as soon as I had finished! The book is a standalone but I wish and hope there would be more from Edie and the flits as they are all such fun characters and it would be great to learn even more about the flits and the world they live in. I’d definitely recommend this book for any children (and even adults) who are interested in a magical tale featuring the hidden world of the London Underground and some very fun and magical creatures who have a love of sweet foods!
-Thanks to Piccadily Press for a free copy for review.
I have really enjoyed reading this story and probably even more so as I know London and the underground very well having lived in London and the surrounding area my whole life. When Edie discovers the creatures, called flits, she finds out that they need her help to rescue some of their own who have gone missing. I really enjoyed this story and how it developed. It felt a little bit like the Borrowers, with the flit characters being an interesting bunch, a bit like Borrowers but with wings so they can fly (but don’t ever call them fairies!), and their fondness for sugary treats! I couldn’t help but love the whole miniature people living lives along side us in London.
As the story moves and Edie agrees to help the flits find their family, we’re introduced to an interesting set of characters. Some of my favourites were Benedict, Vera Creech, Nid and the also magpins. I really liked Nid’s character especially, the things he gets up to and his general character and how full of energy he always is. I also liked the way the magpin birds are involved in the story as well as the spy bird. The whole story is an interesting adventure with the flits getting into trouble as Edie tries to help along with the story which goes underground showing some of the hidden parts of London’s Underground lines which was particularly interesting to me. But alongside the flit’s story I also enjoyed Edie’s own personal tale and issues around her new school and the problems she has with Linny, Naz and even Juniper. The book is so well written that it’s easy to love Edie’s character right away and I really resonated with her.
There are illustrations throughout the story which do make it so much more appealing to read and I love how fun the images are and how expressive all of the characters are. I also liked the chapter headers which show a tube line and at the start of every chapter there’s a mention as to where that particular chapter is happening as well as sometimes some fun extras about lost items, which all together just made for some very fun reading! I also love the cover so much, the illustration on the front is lovely but it’s the embossed and shiny golden parts that make this cover just look so special and it’s one of my most favourite covers I’ve seen for a children’s book!
The story has a good and very satisfying ending and I like how everything is resolved for the characters. Throughout the story I never knew what would happen but it was so good I felt glued to every page as I read it. I like what happens to the main villain as well as the flits and Edie in the end, you just end up feeling very happy after reading this book and I wanted to re-read it as soon as I had finished! The book is a standalone but I wish and hope there would be more from Edie and the flits as they are all such fun characters and it would be great to learn even more about the flits and the world they live in. I’d definitely recommend this book for any children (and even adults) who are interested in a magical tale featuring the hidden world of the London Underground and some very fun and magical creatures who have a love of sweet foods!
-Thanks to Piccadily Press for a free copy for review.
July 20, 2021
This is a delightful children’s book,
One I highly recommend, please take a look!
It stars Edie Winter and tiny winged people who
Are much smaller than me and you.
Edie’s dad works on the Underground
In the Department for the Lost and Found.
The tiny people she finds cannot be seen
By anyone aged over thirteen.
They’re Flits - Impy, Speckle and Nid
But they need Edie to find Jot, who is missing or hid.
They need food supplies and to find their brother
As well as to help protect after each other.
Edie’s Dad is in trouble with his boss, too
As found goods go missing, disappearing from view.
Where can they have gone and can they be found
Somewhere else on the Underground?
There’s Flits to aid and other creatures to fight
Before this adventure can end with everything right.
It is a great read, and illustrated well, so
I highly recommend you give reading it a go!
Thanks to Piccadilly for my copy of this fantastic book,
Having read and honestly reviewed it, I hope you'll take a look!
One I highly recommend, please take a look!
It stars Edie Winter and tiny winged people who
Are much smaller than me and you.
Edie’s dad works on the Underground
In the Department for the Lost and Found.
The tiny people she finds cannot be seen
By anyone aged over thirteen.
They’re Flits - Impy, Speckle and Nid
But they need Edie to find Jot, who is missing or hid.
They need food supplies and to find their brother
As well as to help protect after each other.
Edie’s Dad is in trouble with his boss, too
As found goods go missing, disappearing from view.
Where can they have gone and can they be found
Somewhere else on the Underground?
There’s Flits to aid and other creatures to fight
Before this adventure can end with everything right.
It is a great read, and illustrated well, so
I highly recommend you give reading it a go!
Thanks to Piccadilly for my copy of this fantastic book,
Having read and honestly reviewed it, I hope you'll take a look!
July 29, 2021
A wonderful middle grade novel which is full of spark, adventure and humour - and paints a picture of London with all its hidden nooks and crannies beautifully. I loved going on Edie's adventure with her as she embarks on a mission to save her new found friends, the flits' (tiny, winged beings) missing family members, along with all the missing things disappearing across the London Underground. Watching the plot unravel as the stakes get higher and higher for Edie and the flits made it such an enjoyable read.
This book has so much heart and warmth with wonderful characters - a brilliant middle grade novel for lovers of lost things.
This book has so much heart and warmth with wonderful characters - a brilliant middle grade novel for lovers of lost things.
June 12, 2024
This was a light and entertaining read - I think I would have enjoyed it greatly if I had read it as a kid. There were a few instances where I felt the details in the writing were not clear, for example when they stood in the street and could not see house lights switching on in the window - during what I thought was in broad daylight when the lights inside the windows would not be visible.
It was an imaginitive read and I enjoyed the underground setting; it makes me wish the author had included a map! I really enjoyed the character of Benedict!
It was an imaginitive read and I enjoyed the underground setting; it makes me wish the author had included a map! I really enjoyed the character of Benedict!
August 7, 2021
3.75 stars. Charming story about finding a world of little people & saving them, friendship, London Underground and all the things that are Lost & Found.
October 3, 2021
Fun story.
June 11, 2023
love the imagination
February 2, 2025
Wilkinson Wilkies #1
Inventive table with more than a dash of The Borrowers as influence, but original enough in its Owen right, is a quick read, but a decent read.
Will there be more?
Inventive table with more than a dash of The Borrowers as influence, but original enough in its Owen right, is a quick read, but a decent read.
Will there be more?
January 12, 2023
A hilarious story about flits, lost and found, the tube, and tons of adventure!
I have had my eye on this one for a bit, I saw the series promoted on Twitter and was instantly curious. Thankfully, Amazon had the first book in stock in November so I could get it! Now I just need book two. Haha. Because this was great fun.
Edie was such a fun character and I loved how dedicated she was. Not just to the lost/found stuff, but also to helping the flits. I loved that she learned to be stronger. To say no to her fake friends. I loved how dedicated she was to the mystery and solving it. To figuring out what was going on.
I loved the lost/found and the Tube stuff! It was so much fun seeing this being the central setting, the place where mysterious things happen. I loved seeing Edie and her dad find lost stuff and categorize them and put it all together. I loved that things went missing and what kind of things they were. I loved following Edie as she walks through the Lost and Found rooms (and wish I could step into the book to see all the stuff that people have lost). And I loved that so many things happened on the Tube. That we have lost stations. Mysterious lights.
The flits were wonderful, though also maybe a tad annoying with how they didn’t seem to know how to keep quiet at some times. I mean, hi, I get it you aren’t seen by adults (which sucks because I would absolutely LOVE to see a flit), but your actions will be seen. If you break something. If you hold something. People will see it. And since you don’t want to get into trouble (or meet an annoying girl like Juniper) you better learn how to be a bit more inconspicuous. But other than that, I loved them. It was fun to see the various flits, find out where they live, what kind of things they do and how they make their homes. That their kids are born out of nuts. I loved learning more about the flits and what things they could do. I loved reading about their families. Had a laugh at what they ate, all kinds of sweet stuff. Mm! Impy really became a favourite of mine, she was feisty and fun and sweet.
Loved the side characters. Like Benedict and Charlie. One who is too old to see the flits but is willing to help and believe. The other young enough to see the flits.
The villain, Vera, was wonderfully and delightfully written. For real. I love a good villain and this one is a great villain. In the end I did feel sorry for her, at least, well a bit. I mean, it is not good what she did, and she is still not good after all the events of the end, but I could somewhat understand why she did things. Then again, she could also just have told people about x and I am sure she would have had a lovely day. But then we wouldn’t have this book. Haha. I loved that Vera was able to talk to birds, that she had a bird that visited her. The magpins.
The ending was both exciting and wonderful and awesome and OMG. And the last few pages just warmed my heart!
But the addition of Juniper, aka the worst brat in the world, made it very hard for me to read parts of the book. We already have a great villain. We already have a great setting. We don’t need annoying distractions featuring annoying little girls who just need to f off. I am sorry, but -0.5 stars. I wasn’t even a fan of her being mentioned again and even getting THAT in the end. It just felt off. Such a shame.
The illustrations were fab! I do wish there were more of them. The style was just so fun and it added so much to the story.
All in all, despite the whole Juniper issue I had tons of fun reading this book and I cannot wait to get the next book in the series! I need to know what is next for Edie and Charlie and their flit friends.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I have had my eye on this one for a bit, I saw the series promoted on Twitter and was instantly curious. Thankfully, Amazon had the first book in stock in November so I could get it! Now I just need book two. Haha. Because this was great fun.
Edie was such a fun character and I loved how dedicated she was. Not just to the lost/found stuff, but also to helping the flits. I loved that she learned to be stronger. To say no to her fake friends. I loved how dedicated she was to the mystery and solving it. To figuring out what was going on.
I loved the lost/found and the Tube stuff! It was so much fun seeing this being the central setting, the place where mysterious things happen. I loved seeing Edie and her dad find lost stuff and categorize them and put it all together. I loved that things went missing and what kind of things they were. I loved following Edie as she walks through the Lost and Found rooms (and wish I could step into the book to see all the stuff that people have lost). And I loved that so many things happened on the Tube. That we have lost stations. Mysterious lights.
The flits were wonderful, though also maybe a tad annoying with how they didn’t seem to know how to keep quiet at some times. I mean, hi, I get it you aren’t seen by adults (which sucks because I would absolutely LOVE to see a flit), but your actions will be seen. If you break something. If you hold something. People will see it. And since you don’t want to get into trouble (or meet an annoying girl like Juniper) you better learn how to be a bit more inconspicuous. But other than that, I loved them. It was fun to see the various flits, find out where they live, what kind of things they do and how they make their homes. That their kids are born out of nuts. I loved learning more about the flits and what things they could do. I loved reading about their families. Had a laugh at what they ate, all kinds of sweet stuff. Mm! Impy really became a favourite of mine, she was feisty and fun and sweet.
Loved the side characters. Like Benedict and Charlie. One who is too old to see the flits but is willing to help and believe. The other young enough to see the flits.
The villain, Vera, was wonderfully and delightfully written. For real. I love a good villain and this one is a great villain. In the end I did feel sorry for her, at least, well a bit. I mean, it is not good what she did, and she is still not good after all the events of the end, but I could somewhat understand why she did things. Then again, she could also just have told people about x and I am sure she would have had a lovely day. But then we wouldn’t have this book. Haha. I loved that Vera was able to talk to birds, that she had a bird that visited her. The magpins.
The ending was both exciting and wonderful and awesome and OMG. And the last few pages just warmed my heart!
But the addition of Juniper, aka the worst brat in the world, made it very hard for me to read parts of the book. We already have a great villain. We already have a great setting. We don’t need annoying distractions featuring annoying little girls who just need to f off. I am sorry, but -0.5 stars. I wasn’t even a fan of her being mentioned again and even getting THAT in the end. It just felt off. Such a shame.
The illustrations were fab! I do wish there were more of them. The style was just so fun and it added so much to the story.
All in all, despite the whole Juniper issue I had tons of fun reading this book and I cannot wait to get the next book in the series! I need to know what is next for Edie and Charlie and their flit friends.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews