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Wishyouwas: The Tiny Guardian of Lost Letters
Classic-feeling storytelling with bags of charm. Fans of thrilling animal adventure and enchanting underground worlds will fall in love with Wishyouwas.
It's 1952 in smog-shrouded London. Christmas might be fast approaching, but with her mum away and Uncle Frank busy running the post office, Penny Black is lonelier than ever.
All that changes when Penny discovers a small, fluffy, funny, springy and - most importantly - talking creature in the post office one night, trying to make off with a letter. But Wishyouwas is no thief. He's a Sorter, and he soon introduces Penny to a fascinating secret world hidden in the tunnels underneath the city's streets. Self-appointed guardians of lost mail, the Sorters have dedicated their lives to rescuing letters that have gone astray and making sure they get delivered to their rightful owners.
Penny is determined to protect the Sorters, but how long will she be able to keep them safe with Stanley Scrawl, the sinister Royal Mail Rat Catcher, on the prowl? Can Penny save the Sorters and deliver a joyful Christmas?
It's 1952 in smog-shrouded London. Christmas might be fast approaching, but with her mum away and Uncle Frank busy running the post office, Penny Black is lonelier than ever.
All that changes when Penny discovers a small, fluffy, funny, springy and - most importantly - talking creature in the post office one night, trying to make off with a letter. But Wishyouwas is no thief. He's a Sorter, and he soon introduces Penny to a fascinating secret world hidden in the tunnels underneath the city's streets. Self-appointed guardians of lost mail, the Sorters have dedicated their lives to rescuing letters that have gone astray and making sure they get delivered to their rightful owners.
Penny is determined to protect the Sorters, but how long will she be able to keep them safe with Stanley Scrawl, the sinister Royal Mail Rat Catcher, on the prowl? Can Penny save the Sorters and deliver a joyful Christmas?
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
15 people are currently reading
371 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
December 20, 2021
Penny was staying with her Uncle Frank while her mother, who was a pilot for the Royal Mail, was stuck in France, unable to fly home. Uncle Frank’s home was the post office, and Penny loved going into the office when no one was there. The evening she found the little creature trapped by the tail in a rat trap, the journey of her life changed. The little creature’s name was Wishyouwas, and he was a mail sorter. When Penny wanted to see where he worked, he took her down into a secret set of tunnels, deep underneath London’s streets.
Wishyouwas was one of many and they all worked at keeping the mail safe, getting lost mail to the rightful owners and keeping away from humans. Dearsir and Dearmadam were in charge of their little home, while Felicitations taught the youngsters the way of life they all lived. But there was danger above them, and Stanley Scrawl was determined to capture the Sorters. Would Penny be able to save her new friends?
Wishyouwas is a delightful children’s story by Alexandra Page, and I think perhaps this might be the beginning of a series. Ten-year-old Penny was a perfect character, brave, courageous and loyal. The Sorters were adorable – Wishyouwas, Thiswayup, Withlove, Fragile, Handlewithcare to name a few – and they all called Penny, Dear Penny. My eleven-year-old granddaughters will love this book. Highly recommended.
Wishyouwas was one of many and they all worked at keeping the mail safe, getting lost mail to the rightful owners and keeping away from humans. Dearsir and Dearmadam were in charge of their little home, while Felicitations taught the youngsters the way of life they all lived. But there was danger above them, and Stanley Scrawl was determined to capture the Sorters. Would Penny be able to save her new friends?
Wishyouwas is a delightful children’s story by Alexandra Page, and I think perhaps this might be the beginning of a series. Ten-year-old Penny was a perfect character, brave, courageous and loyal. The Sorters were adorable – Wishyouwas, Thiswayup, Withlove, Fragile, Handlewithcare to name a few – and they all called Penny, Dear Penny. My eleven-year-old granddaughters will love this book. Highly recommended.
January 13, 2023
First and foremost, despite the marketing, this is not IMO, a Christmasy read. It is a book that takes place at Christmas time that, up until the final two chapters, has nothing to do with Christmas other than a local post office being more crowded than usual because people are mailing holiday parcels. I was expecting something a little more festive, and felt a bit bah-humbug about having to spend so much time in underground tunnels and foggy streets instead of cozy rooms decked with boughs of holly. I'm not deducting any stars for that, just mentioning it in case others are wanting a Christmasy read. As for the story itself, I felt it was a little thin. It's mostly an action-adventure type story, with little character development . I liked Penny well enough, but she didn't seem three-dimensional enough to be someone I would have liked to befriend when I was a kid. I also didn't find the Sorters as endearing as I had expected. Their society is... a bit off-putting. Only one or two of them seem particularly nice and the hierarchy in the society feels rather cold and unforgiving. Wishyouwas reminded me a little of Dobby the House Elf. Ultimately, I found the writing style pleasant enough but, at the end of the day, I just really didn't care what happened. I did like all the postal references, the clever names (for example, Penny Black is our heroine (after the Penny Black stamp) and she is called "Dear Penny" by the Sorters because of the salutation in letters, the villain is Stanley Scrawl, Sorters are named Wishyouwas, Thiswayup, Withlove, etc.), the small insights into history with the underground postal railway and the great London fog of December, 1952. It just never really came alive for me.
December 27, 2022
Amazon just emailed me that instead of today (October 9) the expected delivery date is now December 15. Rip me 😭
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A year later, but I finally got to read it! The book ended up coming in on October 12th because I cancelled my pre-order and reordered, but life happened and here we are. I got to read it on Second Christmas Day, though, which was lovely!
I didn't mean to read it in one go, but here we are; almost 3am, exhausted, and (im)patiently waiting for the next one to get here! Do we know more about that yet?? *eyes*
This was absolutely lovely. Heartwarming. And while I of course knew it would have a happy ending, I can imagine kids would read certain parts on the edge of their seats! I couldn't put it down! I wonder how the Sorters do their job without the Mail Rail, and if we have them too. If we do, I want to meet them! Movie adaptations tend to be awful, but damn, would I love to see this. I need the Sorters in my life!
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A year later, but I finally got to read it! The book ended up coming in on October 12th because I cancelled my pre-order and reordered, but life happened and here we are. I got to read it on Second Christmas Day, though, which was lovely!
I didn't mean to read it in one go, but here we are; almost 3am, exhausted, and (im)patiently waiting for the next one to get here! Do we know more about that yet?? *eyes*
This was absolutely lovely. Heartwarming. And while I of course knew it would have a happy ending, I can imagine kids would read certain parts on the edge of their seats! I couldn't put it down! I wonder how the Sorters do their job without the Mail Rail, and if we have them too. If we do, I want to meet them! Movie adaptations tend to be awful, but damn, would I love to see this. I need the Sorters in my life!
January 26, 2022
Wow, is this an absolutely super-cute feel-good Christmas story! This is the type of book I LOVE getting as a proof from the publisher because now I can rave about it to my friends and librarians in time for its November release.
I read it in just a couple of hours, unable to put it down (even carrying it with me, still reading, into the kitchen to make a cup of tea).
This is a totally charming story about a little girl finding a community of hidden creatures who help humans by finding and delivering lost mail. The villain is suitably bad without the story verging into total violence or scenes which may scare children - it's more of an "edge of your seat/can't wait to find out what happens next/"can we please read the next chapter, please please please" suspense. Set in 1950's London, there's adventure, danger, friendship, family, , being kind, and doing what's right.
It would make the BEST beautiful read-aloud leading up to Christmas (in terms of content and reading age, I would say it would be fine to read to your 6/7 year old who is used to listening to longer books over many nights - although some of the villain's actions and motivations might go over their head. For reading themselves, it's round about 8+).
I read it in just a couple of hours, unable to put it down (even carrying it with me, still reading, into the kitchen to make a cup of tea).
This is a totally charming story about a little girl finding a community of hidden creatures who help humans by finding and delivering lost mail. The villain is suitably bad without the story verging into total violence or scenes which may scare children - it's more of an "edge of your seat/can't wait to find out what happens next/"can we please read the next chapter, please please please" suspense. Set in 1950's London, there's adventure, danger, friendship, family, , being kind, and doing what's right.
It would make the BEST beautiful read-aloud leading up to Christmas (in terms of content and reading age, I would say it would be fine to read to your 6/7 year old who is used to listening to longer books over many nights - although some of the villain's actions and motivations might go over their head. For reading themselves, it's round about 8+).
December 6, 2021
Oh my heart! This was such a great little book! Loved it! It's 1952 in smog-shrouded London. Christmas might be fast approaching, but with her mum away & Uncle Frank busy running the post office, Penny Black is lonelier than ever. All that changes when Penny discovers a small, fluffy, funny, springy & – most importantly – talking creature in the post office one night, trying to make off with a letter. But Wishyouwas is no thief. He's a Sorter, & he soon introduces Penny to a fascinating secret world hidden in the tunnels underneath the city's streets. Self-appointed guardians of lost mail, the Sorters have dedicated their lives to rescuing letters that have gone astray & making sure they get delivered to their rightful owners. Penny is determined to protect the Sorters, but how long will she be able to keep them safe with Stanley Scrawl, the sinister Royal Mail Rat Catcher, on the prowl? Can Penny save the Sorters & deliver a joyful Christmas?
This was so heartwarming, cozy, & atmospheric. There’s suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat, but not a scary kind. Just an I need to keep reading kind lol It’s 1952 in London, at Christmas….then you have the guardians of lost mail, & all the postal settings(above & below ground lol)-all of that plus the beautiful, descriptive writing..INCREDIBLE- including the details like the different positions the guardians may have-like a Sorter. Then all of their names are GENIUS! They are reminiscent of letters/packages(mail in general), in some form or another. Like- Dearsir, Dearmadam, Thiswayup, Withlove, & so many more. I absolutely loved Penny & her Uncle. Penny is such a brave kid, & the bond she forms with Wishyouwas was so beautiful. My heart melted time & time again. The Post Office, & her actually living in the same building was also atmospheric to me. I loved that. I loved everything about this. I even let out a little squeal of joy when I saw in the back that there will be a sequel! I’m so happy! Lol HIGHLY recommend! Such a charming, heartwarming, atmospheric, cozy read; full of friendship, bravery, & doing the right thing. Stunning cover & illustrations throughout by Penny Neville-Lee as well!💜
This was so heartwarming, cozy, & atmospheric. There’s suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat, but not a scary kind. Just an I need to keep reading kind lol It’s 1952 in London, at Christmas….then you have the guardians of lost mail, & all the postal settings(above & below ground lol)-all of that plus the beautiful, descriptive writing..INCREDIBLE- including the details like the different positions the guardians may have-like a Sorter. Then all of their names are GENIUS! They are reminiscent of letters/packages(mail in general), in some form or another. Like- Dearsir, Dearmadam, Thiswayup, Withlove, & so many more. I absolutely loved Penny & her Uncle. Penny is such a brave kid, & the bond she forms with Wishyouwas was so beautiful. My heart melted time & time again. The Post Office, & her actually living in the same building was also atmospheric to me. I loved that. I loved everything about this. I even let out a little squeal of joy when I saw in the back that there will be a sequel! I’m so happy! Lol HIGHLY recommend! Such a charming, heartwarming, atmospheric, cozy read; full of friendship, bravery, & doing the right thing. Stunning cover & illustrations throughout by Penny Neville-Lee as well!💜
January 25, 2023
so cute🥹
January 25, 2022
“I is NOT a rat!” It burst out. “I is a Sorter. Second Class”
.
.
.
Whether it was Postman Pat when I was growing up or my stamp-collecting father, I always had a fascination with the mail. It seems an almost magical thing to me that you can post a letter and, almost without fail, it’ll make its way across the country, or even across the globe, and end up exactly where it should be
That is, except for lost letters. For those, you need Sorters. Tiny nocturnal creatures stolen from a Pacific Island and saved from a shipwreck by a trunk of letters, they have made it their life’s work to reunite lost letters with their owners. Sorters are divided into Gatherers who find the lost letters, Solvers who decipher the intended recipient and Deliverers, the most esteemed of all Sorters, who are charged with seeing the lost letters back home
Set in a smog-covered London in 1952, Wishyouwas is the story of one human girl, Penny Black, a large colony of Sorters living under the city’s streets and a Dahl-worthy villain called Stanley Scrawl. It’s a sheer delight from start to finish, and a perfect Christmas read as it’s set in the run-up to Christmas. One of my absolutely favourite things about this book were the names of the Sorters; Returntosender, Posthaste, Stampduty, Dearsir and Thiswayup to name but a few
Huge thanks to Bloomsbury for sharing this one with me
.
.
.
Whether it was Postman Pat when I was growing up or my stamp-collecting father, I always had a fascination with the mail. It seems an almost magical thing to me that you can post a letter and, almost without fail, it’ll make its way across the country, or even across the globe, and end up exactly where it should be
That is, except for lost letters. For those, you need Sorters. Tiny nocturnal creatures stolen from a Pacific Island and saved from a shipwreck by a trunk of letters, they have made it their life’s work to reunite lost letters with their owners. Sorters are divided into Gatherers who find the lost letters, Solvers who decipher the intended recipient and Deliverers, the most esteemed of all Sorters, who are charged with seeing the lost letters back home
Set in a smog-covered London in 1952, Wishyouwas is the story of one human girl, Penny Black, a large colony of Sorters living under the city’s streets and a Dahl-worthy villain called Stanley Scrawl. It’s a sheer delight from start to finish, and a perfect Christmas read as it’s set in the run-up to Christmas. One of my absolutely favourite things about this book were the names of the Sorters; Returntosender, Posthaste, Stampduty, Dearsir and Thiswayup to name but a few
Huge thanks to Bloomsbury for sharing this one with me
May 26, 2022
A nice story about a girl who discovers the home of the Solvers, little creatures who deliver lost letters. The drawings are nice and the story is imaginative and wraps up everything nicely.
January 20, 2023
An easy-to-read and pleasant book; I would have liked a little more depth and character development, as I didn't feel that connected to any of the characters, but it was a quick and cute read with some nice postal and letter-writing details.
October 25, 2021
I loved this sweet adventure!
November 30, 2021
Super cute festive reading where we discover the secret heroes of the Royal Mail.
Set in 1952 Penny is staying with her Uncle at his post office, whilst her mum flies air mail back and forth. Late one evening she hears a rustling noise and discovers a mouse/rat creature stealing some undeliverable mail.
What then ensues is a lovely tale of small overcoming big and the unlikely characters fighting against a fabulous baddie.
Left me smiling and feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
Set in 1952 Penny is staying with her Uncle at his post office, whilst her mum flies air mail back and forth. Late one evening she hears a rustling noise and discovers a mouse/rat creature stealing some undeliverable mail.
What then ensues is a lovely tale of small overcoming big and the unlikely characters fighting against a fabulous baddie.
Left me smiling and feeling warm and fuzzy inside.
February 11, 2023
Review pending
January 27, 2023
Táto knižka sa radí k adventným, keďže sa odohráva pár dní pred Vianocami, ale pokojne si ju prečítajte hocikedy cez rok, nebude o nič menej čarovná.
Píše sa rok 1952 a Londýn je zahalený v smogu. Hlavná hrdinka Penny býva dočasne u svojho strýka na pošte a čaká na návrat mamy, pilotku leteckej pošty. Jeden večer, objaví komunitu maličkých stvorení, ktoré sú chlpaté, okaté, rozprávajú ľudskou rečou a sú skrátka úplne ňuňu. Žijú v podzemí a snažia sa ľuďom doručovať nedoručiteľné zásielky. Ich mená sú frázy z listov a balíkov, ako Sláskou, Pozorkrehké či Kiežbysitubol.
Nebudem moc prezrádzať, ale príbeh je napínavý, dobrodružný, a zároveň zahreje pri srdci, lebo je plný odvahy, priateľstva a láskavosti. Snaď môžem pošepkať, že dobro zvíťazí nad zlom. A pozor! Okrem poštových tunelov pod Londýnom nakuknete aj ku kráľovnej Alžbete do Buckinghamského paláca.
Knižka je vhodná na samostatné čítanie cca od 8 rokov (alebo pre zdatnejších čitateľov), na spoločné čítanie kľudne od 5-6 rokov. Odložte si tip na budúce Vianoce, alebo si kľudne prečítajte teraz.
Píše sa rok 1952 a Londýn je zahalený v smogu. Hlavná hrdinka Penny býva dočasne u svojho strýka na pošte a čaká na návrat mamy, pilotku leteckej pošty. Jeden večer, objaví komunitu maličkých stvorení, ktoré sú chlpaté, okaté, rozprávajú ľudskou rečou a sú skrátka úplne ňuňu. Žijú v podzemí a snažia sa ľuďom doručovať nedoručiteľné zásielky. Ich mená sú frázy z listov a balíkov, ako Sláskou, Pozorkrehké či Kiežbysitubol.
Nebudem moc prezrádzať, ale príbeh je napínavý, dobrodružný, a zároveň zahreje pri srdci, lebo je plný odvahy, priateľstva a láskavosti. Snaď môžem pošepkať, že dobro zvíťazí nad zlom. A pozor! Okrem poštových tunelov pod Londýnom nakuknete aj ku kráľovnej Alžbete do Buckinghamského paláca.
Knižka je vhodná na samostatné čítanie cca od 8 rokov (alebo pre zdatnejších čitateľov), na spoločné čítanie kľudne od 5-6 rokov. Odložte si tip na budúce Vianoce, alebo si kľudne prečítajte teraz.
Read
November 8, 2021I read this to my two grandkids, aged 8 and 10, a boy and a girl, and both fell almost at once into that rapt spell that a well-told, well-crafted story can create. They loved the historical background, where the London smog of 1952 is as strange as anything in sci-fi, they loved the suspense generated at every turn of the adventure, they loved the names of the characters, asking me to repeat Fragile and Stampduty, for instance, and Wishyouwas himself captivated them with his odd grammar and his timid/brave approach to his duties. Real craft, not a word misplaced or wasted, and a sense of real fun.
Ralph Edney
Ralph Edney
August 10, 2021
Oh my gosh, this is the cutest, sweetest, feel good and most wonderful story! Set at Christmas with messages about being kind, looking after each other and the joy of letters, this is just wonderful. A secret, underground crew of postal workers deliver lost letters and when Penny (a human) happens across one, things start going wrong. I adored this from the first page to the last. This will make the best read aloud.
December 5, 2021
Finished this in a day, but then this was such a heart-warming story! Loved the world Alexandra Page created, and the illustrations were just the cutest. I can see this turned into a Christmas film you'd want to watch every year.
January 20, 2022
Such a heartwarming and magical story!
March 19, 2022
This book was so cute, and a cozy little read. Yes it was a Christmas story, but I still read it and enjoyed every minute of the story. I might reread at Christmas.
June 26, 2022
"I is not a rat" wish you was said
March 18, 2023
Krásny príbeh zasadený do predvianočného zhonu na londýnskej Royal Mail. Tak by ma zaujímalo, či aj inde sú takíto malí triediči ako v tejto knihe...
November 10, 2025
loved it, super cute and i want Wishyouwas as my friend
October 22, 2021
This fabulous debut novel for readers aged 9+ is a glorious mix of wonderful imagination and exceptional writing.
Set in 1952 during the smog-filled winter after King George died, we meet young Penny Black who is living in London above her uncle’s post office.
Her mother is an airmail pilot, stuck in France due to the smog, and she may well not be back in time for Christmas.
As well as the chaos the smog is causing, London also appears to be experiencing a bigger than ever rat problem. Something that is affecting the postal system so badly they have employed their own rat-catcher, the brilliantly toxic Stanley Scrawl.
When Penny finds a rat with its tail caught in a trap, she can’t bear to see it suffering so sets it free. It soon becomes apparent that it isn’t a rat at all but a tiny, talking, highly endearing lost-post sorter named Wishyouwas who takes Penny and us on a journey through underground London into the world of the sorters.
We discover a world of warmth and friendship but there is great peril around the corner. And it is down to Penny and Wishyouwas to set things right.
This book is full of vividly complete characters who skip through the pages making it a joy to read. The atmosphere of a smog-filled London and the secret world that hides beneath make a wonderful setting to lose yourself in for a few precious story hours.
I adored the relationship between Penny and the very lovable Wishyouwas. Both lost their fathers, Penny to the war and Wishyouwas to poison, and I wonder if that shared loss helped to enhance their friendship.
This is a perfect Christmas present book and it’s very exciting to hear that a sequel is already being penned
Set in 1952 during the smog-filled winter after King George died, we meet young Penny Black who is living in London above her uncle’s post office.
Her mother is an airmail pilot, stuck in France due to the smog, and she may well not be back in time for Christmas.
As well as the chaos the smog is causing, London also appears to be experiencing a bigger than ever rat problem. Something that is affecting the postal system so badly they have employed their own rat-catcher, the brilliantly toxic Stanley Scrawl.
When Penny finds a rat with its tail caught in a trap, she can’t bear to see it suffering so sets it free. It soon becomes apparent that it isn’t a rat at all but a tiny, talking, highly endearing lost-post sorter named Wishyouwas who takes Penny and us on a journey through underground London into the world of the sorters.
We discover a world of warmth and friendship but there is great peril around the corner. And it is down to Penny and Wishyouwas to set things right.
This book is full of vividly complete characters who skip through the pages making it a joy to read. The atmosphere of a smog-filled London and the secret world that hides beneath make a wonderful setting to lose yourself in for a few precious story hours.
I adored the relationship between Penny and the very lovable Wishyouwas. Both lost their fathers, Penny to the war and Wishyouwas to poison, and I wonder if that shared loss helped to enhance their friendship.
This is a perfect Christmas present book and it’s very exciting to hear that a sequel is already being penned
January 9, 2023
Um pequeno livrinho que era para ter sido lido na última semana de Dezembro....
Nem lhe cheguei a pegar. Foi agora a vez dele.
Estamos na altura do Natal.
Temos uma criança que ajuda o tio no posto de correios onde trabalha. A mãe é uma piloto e está em missão. Não se sabe se chega a tempo do Natal.
Um dia, quando a nossa protagonista não tem sono e procura nos céus pela sua mãe, ouve um barulho dentro do posto dos correios (ela e o tio moravam por cima do posto).
Espreita e vê um ratinho com uma carta, preso numa armadilha.
E assim começa a história de wishyouwas (os nomes de todos os ratinhos são muito engraçados).
Um ratinho que é responsável por entregar o correio perdido! Por túneis secretos através dos marcos do correio expostos pela cidade!
Um ratinho que protege o nosso correio perdido e que ele (e toda a equipa) fazem os possíveis para que o nosso correio seja entregue ainda que temporáriamente perdido.
Claro que... teremos pela nossa história um vilão... um vilão que faz tudo menos... querer saber do nosso correio...
Temos também a relação de confiança difícil entre roedores e humanos... e entre ratinhos e ratazanas....
Um livro que gostava muito que fosse traduzido para português. Encantará crianças e os adultos que terão a sorte de o ler para eles.
Nem lhe cheguei a pegar. Foi agora a vez dele.
Estamos na altura do Natal.
Temos uma criança que ajuda o tio no posto de correios onde trabalha. A mãe é uma piloto e está em missão. Não se sabe se chega a tempo do Natal.
Um dia, quando a nossa protagonista não tem sono e procura nos céus pela sua mãe, ouve um barulho dentro do posto dos correios (ela e o tio moravam por cima do posto).
Espreita e vê um ratinho com uma carta, preso numa armadilha.
E assim começa a história de wishyouwas (os nomes de todos os ratinhos são muito engraçados).
Um ratinho que é responsável por entregar o correio perdido! Por túneis secretos através dos marcos do correio expostos pela cidade!
Um ratinho que protege o nosso correio perdido e que ele (e toda a equipa) fazem os possíveis para que o nosso correio seja entregue ainda que temporáriamente perdido.
Claro que... teremos pela nossa história um vilão... um vilão que faz tudo menos... querer saber do nosso correio...
Temos também a relação de confiança difícil entre roedores e humanos... e entre ratinhos e ratazanas....
Um livro que gostava muito que fosse traduzido para português. Encantará crianças e os adultos que terão a sorte de o ler para eles.
October 16, 2021
This is such a fun middle-grade story, heartwarming and filled with an atmosphere that makes it perfect for reading during the festive season.
Our main character is courageous and shows the importance of kindness and generosity, and I would consider her a great role model for children. The other cast of characters are loveable and endearing and often humourous almost accidentally.
The atmosphere is really this book's strong suit and like I have previously mentioned it would be a perfect read for Christmas time. It really does make you feel warm and cozy inside.
The story is fast-paced from the very start, which means the reader is constantly engaged. This works in its favour as it may be good for some reluctant readers, the endearing illustrations definitely add to this.
Overall nothing too complicated with a straightforward plot but definitely one I would recommend.
Our main character is courageous and shows the importance of kindness and generosity, and I would consider her a great role model for children. The other cast of characters are loveable and endearing and often humourous almost accidentally.
The atmosphere is really this book's strong suit and like I have previously mentioned it would be a perfect read for Christmas time. It really does make you feel warm and cozy inside.
The story is fast-paced from the very start, which means the reader is constantly engaged. This works in its favour as it may be good for some reluctant readers, the endearing illustrations definitely add to this.
Overall nothing too complicated with a straightforward plot but definitely one I would recommend.
August 12, 2021
I love this book. As soon as I entered the Sorters world I did not want to leave! (Chapter 5) The relationship between Penny and Wishyouwas is so strong and well written that I wanted to cry at the end of chapter 10, I won't spoil it by saying why.
This is a brilliant book for ages 6-adult as it is so rich and works on so many levels. It already feels like a timeless classic.
This is a brilliant book for ages 6-adult as it is so rich and works on so many levels. It already feels like a timeless classic.
October 15, 2021
[4.5 stars] This adorable, feel-good book was exactly what I needed at the moment. Children will be sure to find this utterly delightful and it's perfect for the Christmas season. I'm already looking forward to the second book.
August 15, 2021
A first-class debut from Alexandra Page - a charming nicely-paced and imaginative "can't put down" read from the first page to the last!
October 3, 2021
This is such a cute, sweet and feel good story! It's set at Christmas with messages about being kind, looking after each other and the joy of letters, this is just wonderful.
A secret, underground crew of postal workers deliver lost letters and when Penny (a human) happens across one, things start going wrong. I adored this from the first page to the last and definitely one I'll be sharing with others and reading again.
Would make a perfect read for a dark night when you can get cosy and settle in to read :)
A secret, underground crew of postal workers deliver lost letters and when Penny (a human) happens across one, things start going wrong. I adored this from the first page to the last and definitely one I'll be sharing with others and reading again.
Would make a perfect read for a dark night when you can get cosy and settle in to read :)
September 15, 2021
This is the most adorable chapter book with a fantastic Christmassy vibe! The perfect book to cheer you up on a cold, rainy day!
The story starts in 1952 in smog- shrouded London. Penny discovers what she thinks is a rat whilst in her Uncle's post office. To Penny's surprise the little creature starts to talk and is trying to steal a letter! So begins Penny's magical journey with Wishyouwas in the hidden tunnels underneath the city streets.
Wishyouwas works in a sorting office where the creatures work together to sort and rescue lost post and return it to the rightful owner. They have been working in a mystery location for years, keeping their special work a secret. Penny becomes drawn in to their magical world. Can they stay safe from Stanley Scrawl, the Royal Mail Rat catcher who is desperately trying to seek them out? Can Penny help Wishyouwas achieve his dream to become a deliverer, first class and deliver a joyful Christmas?
I became completely drawn in to the secret little world of adorable magical creatures. I loved the way they were each named after parts of the postal system and they progressed from third to first class. Wishyouwas was the most adorable little creature and I loved the way he spoke:
'I is NOT a rat! I is a Sorter. Second Class'
The illustrations have not' been included in this ecopy but I cannot wait to see these as the front cover is gorgeous. There are lots of illustrations throughout the book and I imagine that really add to the magic of this wonderful story.
I still love receiving letters in the post and this story brings that special feeling of receiving a letter alive! I will definitely be purchasing copies of this book to give as Christmas presents. A gorgeous story of friendship, bravery and magic. For readers 7+
The story starts in 1952 in smog- shrouded London. Penny discovers what she thinks is a rat whilst in her Uncle's post office. To Penny's surprise the little creature starts to talk and is trying to steal a letter! So begins Penny's magical journey with Wishyouwas in the hidden tunnels underneath the city streets.
Wishyouwas works in a sorting office where the creatures work together to sort and rescue lost post and return it to the rightful owner. They have been working in a mystery location for years, keeping their special work a secret. Penny becomes drawn in to their magical world. Can they stay safe from Stanley Scrawl, the Royal Mail Rat catcher who is desperately trying to seek them out? Can Penny help Wishyouwas achieve his dream to become a deliverer, first class and deliver a joyful Christmas?
I became completely drawn in to the secret little world of adorable magical creatures. I loved the way they were each named after parts of the postal system and they progressed from third to first class. Wishyouwas was the most adorable little creature and I loved the way he spoke:
'I is NOT a rat! I is a Sorter. Second Class'
The illustrations have not' been included in this ecopy but I cannot wait to see these as the front cover is gorgeous. There are lots of illustrations throughout the book and I imagine that really add to the magic of this wonderful story.
I still love receiving letters in the post and this story brings that special feeling of receiving a letter alive! I will definitely be purchasing copies of this book to give as Christmas presents. A gorgeous story of friendship, bravery and magic. For readers 7+
September 5, 2021
Penny Black is staying with her Uncle Frank in his Post Office while her Mum is away, when she discovers a small, furry animal spiriting away a mislabelled letter one night. Wishyouwas is a 'sorter' - tiny, magical, talking creature who helps to redirect lost letters to their intended recipients. The sorters have lived peacefully alongside the underground Post Office Railway for years without anyone knowing about their existence, but when the Royal Mail rat catcher, Stanley Scrawl, catches wind of them, he is determined to hunt them down. Can Penny protect the sorters and help WishYouWas achieve his dream of becoming a Deliverer?
'WishYouWas' is perfect for fans of 'The Borrowers', or more recently, Tim Tilley's 'Harklights'. I particularly loved the names of the sorters, lifted from fragments of post office labels. Penny is a determined and kind-hearted protagonist and Wishyouwas (Gatherer, Second Class) is charming, endearing and delightfully grammatically challenged.
I read a digital version which didn't include the illustrations, but based on the gorgeous cover illustration by Penny Neville-Lee, I can imagine that the full, illustrated version will be wonderful.
'Wishyouwas' is a heartwarming, enchanting tale, set in an atmospheric, foggy post-war, London, and will make an ideal Christmas read.
'WishYouWas' is perfect for fans of 'The Borrowers', or more recently, Tim Tilley's 'Harklights'. I particularly loved the names of the sorters, lifted from fragments of post office labels. Penny is a determined and kind-hearted protagonist and Wishyouwas (Gatherer, Second Class) is charming, endearing and delightfully grammatically challenged.
I read a digital version which didn't include the illustrations, but based on the gorgeous cover illustration by Penny Neville-Lee, I can imagine that the full, illustrated version will be wonderful.
'Wishyouwas' is a heartwarming, enchanting tale, set in an atmospheric, foggy post-war, London, and will make an ideal Christmas read.
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