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The Curio Collectors
Lily and Tom travel the county with Ma Hawker, enthralling crowds with their amazing collection of curios. Always on the lookout for new wonders, Lily is tricked into buying a worthless bag of rubbish. But hidden within is a special piece of scrimshaw. A young woman called Flora Meriweather is desperate to buy the scrimshaw, hoping it can help her solve a mystery surrounding her late mother. But someone else also wants to get his hands on the scrimshaw and ensure that secrets stay hidden in the past. Can the Curio Collectors help the truth come to light?
96 pages, Paperback
Published March 2, 2023
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 16, 2023
In a Nutshell: An interesting children’s story set in the Victorian era. Has an adventurous mystery with three kids at the centre of it. Easy to read in terms of flow and language.
Story Synopsis:
The two little protagonists – Lily and Tom – have very distinct personalities and yet they are caring towards each other. The book doesn’t include their backstory except to indicate that Ma Hawker took them in. The focus thus remains firmly on the curios and the incident connected to the scrimshaw.
You would assume Ma Hawker to be a cruel stepmother kind of figure, but she is written as a practical character, not gushing in her demonstrations of love but also not evil. Lily is the handy one, the climber of trees and the fixer of broken things. Plus points to the author for shattering the gender stereotype of girls/women in historical children’s fiction.
The only negative for me was that the story felt a bit rushed, especially in the second half. There is too much happening with a few pages, so there’s no depth to the proceedings. Children might not notice this.
For a book containing an evil man and a thrilling adventure, the writing is quite easy-going. The pace and the vocabulary are perfectly suited for the target age range of tweens.
I must add that Barrington Stoke books are always hi-lo (high interest, low ability), so the content is age appropriate but the vocabulary aims at a lower age group, thus making the book more inclusive to diverse reading abilities. (I guess the word ‘scrimshaw’ should be counted as an exception to this, but a book that can teach one new word to its little readers is always welcome.) Moreover, the books by this publishing house don’t shy away from difficult topics or scary themes. I love this dual approach of theirs – they clearly publish for children, but they don’t exclude any topic that might be considered kid-unfriendly as per popular opinion.
There are some cute B&W illustrations peppered throughout the book. These add well to the story. I liked how the illustrations had a rich look despite not being in colour. They were wonderfully detailed as well.
All in all, this is a quick, interesting and fun story that would appeal to young readers who love tales of adventure and mystery. Its 1890s setting and the nomadic lifestyle of its protagonists makes it an unusual book in contemporary children’s fiction.
4 stars.
My thanks to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Curio Collectors”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
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Story Synopsis:
1896. Digswell Water, UK. Lily (12) and Tom (10) work with Ma Hawker, travelling the country and displaying their amazing collection of curios, not all of which might be authentic. A part of Lily’s duties is to be on the lookout for new curios. On one such occasion, she is tricked into buying a useless bag of junk. But unknown to her, the bag contains a special scrimshaw, and someone dangerous is looking for it.
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Lily.
The two little protagonists – Lily and Tom – have very distinct personalities and yet they are caring towards each other. The book doesn’t include their backstory except to indicate that Ma Hawker took them in. The focus thus remains firmly on the curios and the incident connected to the scrimshaw.
You would assume Ma Hawker to be a cruel stepmother kind of figure, but she is written as a practical character, not gushing in her demonstrations of love but also not evil. Lily is the handy one, the climber of trees and the fixer of broken things. Plus points to the author for shattering the gender stereotype of girls/women in historical children’s fiction.
The only negative for me was that the story felt a bit rushed, especially in the second half. There is too much happening with a few pages, so there’s no depth to the proceedings. Children might not notice this.
For a book containing an evil man and a thrilling adventure, the writing is quite easy-going. The pace and the vocabulary are perfectly suited for the target age range of tweens.
I must add that Barrington Stoke books are always hi-lo (high interest, low ability), so the content is age appropriate but the vocabulary aims at a lower age group, thus making the book more inclusive to diverse reading abilities. (I guess the word ‘scrimshaw’ should be counted as an exception to this, but a book that can teach one new word to its little readers is always welcome.) Moreover, the books by this publishing house don’t shy away from difficult topics or scary themes. I love this dual approach of theirs – they clearly publish for children, but they don’t exclude any topic that might be considered kid-unfriendly as per popular opinion.
There are some cute B&W illustrations peppered throughout the book. These add well to the story. I liked how the illustrations had a rich look despite not being in colour. They were wonderfully detailed as well.
All in all, this is a quick, interesting and fun story that would appeal to young readers who love tales of adventure and mystery. Its 1890s setting and the nomadic lifestyle of its protagonists makes it an unusual book in contemporary children’s fiction.
4 stars.
My thanks to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Curio Collectors”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
February 19, 2023
✨ "That's modern life for you. People are just looking for quick entertainment, surprises and shocks."
An adventurous and imaginative tale that I enjoyed! The story kept me engaged and the illustrations are a nice touch. Lil's voice felt very authentic and I loved the small but vibrant cast. The Curio Collectors is a perfect blend of magic, mystery and mayhem that will appeal to young readers!
Thank you to Barrington Stoke for the Netgalley ARC.
An adventurous and imaginative tale that I enjoyed! The story kept me engaged and the illustrations are a nice touch. Lil's voice felt very authentic and I loved the small but vibrant cast. The Curio Collectors is a perfect blend of magic, mystery and mayhem that will appeal to young readers!
Thank you to Barrington Stoke for the Netgalley ARC.
January 23, 2023
This book was promoted as high-interest, low reading level. I think the story itself—plot, characters—is appropriate to ages 9 and up, but the reading level is definitely lower. Sentences have simple structure, and vocabulary is not too elevated. This allows the reader to follow the story without difficulty.
Lily and Tom are poor and orphaned, and travel with a sort of adopted mother. They make ends meet by selling odds and ends that they find. In P.T. Barnum fashion, they call them “curious”, and display them, charging crowds for admission.
One particular item—a piece of scrimshaw—draws the attention of disparate visitors. One is a young servant girl, the other, a wealthy man who claims to be a scientist. The girl cannot afford it; the man offers a healthy sum of money.
Lily and Tom befriend the girl, and find that she has been collecting scrimshaw pieces, looking for the one that will prove her late mother’s scientific research. They give her the piece, putting a different one from her collection into their display.
In they end, they must race the so-called scientist in hopes of proving just who is the real scientist.
Interestingly, the conclusion leaves Lily, Tom, and Ma as they are, rather than changing their situation in life. They are content with what they do, and enjoy the adventurous life they lead. I appreciate that the author resisted “fixing” them.
Possible Objectionable Material:
A little bit of sneaking and lying. Poverty. A tense scene in a cemetery.
Who Might Like This Book:
Those who like stories set in the past, who like adventurous children and a bit of a mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my opinion.
This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...
Lily and Tom are poor and orphaned, and travel with a sort of adopted mother. They make ends meet by selling odds and ends that they find. In P.T. Barnum fashion, they call them “curious”, and display them, charging crowds for admission.
One particular item—a piece of scrimshaw—draws the attention of disparate visitors. One is a young servant girl, the other, a wealthy man who claims to be a scientist. The girl cannot afford it; the man offers a healthy sum of money.
Lily and Tom befriend the girl, and find that she has been collecting scrimshaw pieces, looking for the one that will prove her late mother’s scientific research. They give her the piece, putting a different one from her collection into their display.
In they end, they must race the so-called scientist in hopes of proving just who is the real scientist.
Interestingly, the conclusion leaves Lily, Tom, and Ma as they are, rather than changing their situation in life. They are content with what they do, and enjoy the adventurous life they lead. I appreciate that the author resisted “fixing” them.
Possible Objectionable Material:
A little bit of sneaking and lying. Poverty. A tense scene in a cemetery.
Who Might Like This Book:
Those who like stories set in the past, who like adventurous children and a bit of a mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my opinion.
This book is also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...
December 19, 2022
The curio collectors is a cute novel about two children living with a traveler, in the Victorian era. They go around England selling what they say are artifacts, but are usually junk dug up from the river.
They find a shell that has carvings in it (which they refer to as scrimshaw, although that is usually done in ivory or bone). They don't think anything of it, until two people want to buy it. One is a maid, and the other is a rather disgusting man who tries to break into their caravan.
Will the shell got to its rightful owner or will the bad guy get it. The nice thing is that it is a very simple plot, and you can get through the whole story in less than an hour.
Despite the light writing, you can still get involved in the story. Nicely told and done.
This is another excellent book in the series of hi-lo middle grade readers, where the reading is easy, but the story is suited for slightly older readers. This one was suitable for ages 9 and up but was reading level age 8.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
They find a shell that has carvings in it (which they refer to as scrimshaw, although that is usually done in ivory or bone). They don't think anything of it, until two people want to buy it. One is a maid, and the other is a rather disgusting man who tries to break into their caravan.
Will the shell got to its rightful owner or will the bad guy get it. The nice thing is that it is a very simple plot, and you can get through the whole story in less than an hour.
Despite the light writing, you can still get involved in the story. Nicely told and done.
This is another excellent book in the series of hi-lo middle grade readers, where the reading is easy, but the story is suited for slightly older readers. This one was suitable for ages 9 and up but was reading level age 8.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
January 1, 2023
The plot
Set in 1896, this short adventure tale opens in a field near the (real) village of Digswell Water, north of London. It is a hot day, and our protagonist, 12-year-old Lily, and her younger brother, Tom, are searching the river and bank for curios. Anything they can clean up and sell. They've made money from all manner of things: an otter's skull, a bedpan, old bottles and broken toys. They take what they find back to Ma Hawker at the horse-drawn caravan they call home. They travel from place to place and put on a show to drum up trade, making up elaborate tales of the curios' new pedigree.
But it is a hard life, and with scant pickings, the trio lives on broth devoid of substance. Lily thinks she's solved the matter when she buys some supposedly valuable trinkets. Alas, she has been duped by the lad that sold them. When the local farmer comes to collect his rent for the field they are in, they have to flee the area. Heading to London, they soon discover that a small piece of carved walrus horn, scrimshaw in the lot Lily bought, is attracting some interest, but not all of it is good.
Ok, from here on in, I can't reveal much more. Suffice it to say the adventure gets very exciting for Lily and has far-reaching consequences for those caught up in it.
So, what did we think?
Eloise's magic shines summerlike in this delightful, easy-to-read tale.
It has the feel of one twice the length, like Eloise's previous book, Honesty and Lies, which was set in Elizabethan times and has the same feeling of place and people.
So, crunch time.
Yes, buy. A perfect short story that delights and encourages younger and reluctant readers alike. It is something I would have loved to have read to me as a younger child, pre this age group, or love to read to a class.
Set in 1896, this short adventure tale opens in a field near the (real) village of Digswell Water, north of London. It is a hot day, and our protagonist, 12-year-old Lily, and her younger brother, Tom, are searching the river and bank for curios. Anything they can clean up and sell. They've made money from all manner of things: an otter's skull, a bedpan, old bottles and broken toys. They take what they find back to Ma Hawker at the horse-drawn caravan they call home. They travel from place to place and put on a show to drum up trade, making up elaborate tales of the curios' new pedigree.
But it is a hard life, and with scant pickings, the trio lives on broth devoid of substance. Lily thinks she's solved the matter when she buys some supposedly valuable trinkets. Alas, she has been duped by the lad that sold them. When the local farmer comes to collect his rent for the field they are in, they have to flee the area. Heading to London, they soon discover that a small piece of carved walrus horn, scrimshaw in the lot Lily bought, is attracting some interest, but not all of it is good.
Ok, from here on in, I can't reveal much more. Suffice it to say the adventure gets very exciting for Lily and has far-reaching consequences for those caught up in it.
So, what did we think?
Eloise's magic shines summerlike in this delightful, easy-to-read tale.
It has the feel of one twice the length, like Eloise's previous book, Honesty and Lies, which was set in Elizabethan times and has the same feeling of place and people.
So, crunch time.
Yes, buy. A perfect short story that delights and encourages younger and reluctant readers alike. It is something I would have loved to have read to me as a younger child, pre this age group, or love to read to a class.
June 14, 2024
DISCLAIMER: I received a review copy of The Curio Collectors from the publisher via NetGalley UK in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author Eloise Williams and to the publisher Barrington Stoke for the opportunity to review this title.
WARNING: This review contains spoilers; please read on only if comfortable with this.
The Curio Collectors is a short children’s novel by renowned Welsh author Eloise Williams. Set in 1896 during the Victorian era, it tells the story of two children – Lily and Tom – as they unravel the shocking mystery of one of their “curios”.
Having no parents of their own, siblings Lily and Tom were adopted by an elderly traveller named Ma Hawker at a young age. They have travelled with her in her horse-drawn caravan ever since, and for years it has been their job to find and clean curios to be displayed as part of their travelling show. During the show, they drum up an audience and collect donations from onlookers while Ma Hawker shows off their collection. Money is tight for the Hawkers, and it is through these donations and the sale of unique and interesting curios to rich buyers that they are able to afford food to eat and places to camp.
When Lily is tricked into using the last of their money to buy a briefcase of seemingly worthless junk, the trio fear that they will struggle to make ends meet. However, one of the items within – a scrimshaw shell – soon attracts an unusual amount of attention in London from two interested individuals: Flora Meriweather, a young maid, and Horatio Pinch, a renowned botanist. Lily and Tom befriend Flora after she approaches the caravan to purchase the scrimshaw, and the three work together to uncover its secrets.
I enjoyed the story of The Curio Collectors. It engaged me throughout, and was full of many twists and turns despite its short length. There was never a stagnant moment, and I felt connected with Lily and Tom as they worked with Flora to unravel the mystery of the scrimshaw. This said, as a consequence of the swift pacing, the events of the novel feel somewhat rushed and are not explored to the depth that they perhaps could (or should) have been. I would have loved to spend longer with Lily, Tom and Ma Hawker in the countryside before reaching London, or to see them experience more of the city prior to the mystery of the scrimshaw taking hold. There were also a couple of small plotholes that stood out to me, which hampered my immersion in the story slightly. However, I recognise that younger readers of the target age may not notice these things, as I suspect they’ll be fully caught up in the whirlwind adventure at hand.
Lily and Tom as the two main protagonists of The Curio Collectors are superbly written and well-characterised. They are shown to be caring, grateful and respectful of Ma Hawker, while also fiercely independent and self-assured when the occasion calls for it. You can’t help but admire Lily’s determination to help Flora and ensure that the scrimshaw doesn’t fall in the wrong hands, as well as her intelligence and wit. Tom, as her younger brother, is slightly more naive and innocent, but maintains a solid level of charm. I feel that a lot of children with younger siblings will see themselves in this dynamic duo, and relate to their experiences together. The other characters in the novel – including Ma Hawker, Flora Meriweather and Horatio Pinch – are also extremely likeable (or hateable, in the case of the latter). You really get a sense of their struggles, ideals and morals even though they are not the characters you follow closely.
To comment on Williams’ writing, this was delightful in The Curio Collectors, with a simple yet refined vocabulary used throughout. Her style is perfectly suited to Barrington Stoke’s goal of publishing accessible, hi-lo (high interest, low ability) children’s fiction, and I found the novel to be extremely readable. Though I did not read it in one sitting, I easily could have done, and expect that younger readers may feel the urge to do so. Those who may be dyslexic, reluctant or intimidated by longer novels will certainly find a story that is both easy to consume and enjoy here. I also think that the message she conveys about giving credit where it is due is also incredibly important for children to hear, particularly when there are many historical examples of – for example – womens’ scientific achievements being attributed to their male colleagues (known as the “Matilda Effect”).
I cannot end this review without making mention of Anna Shepeta’s excellent illustrations, which are sprinkled throughout The Curio Collectors. Printed in black and white, these illustrations are both intricate and enchanting, with a unique style that draws the reader to peer closer and take in all of the tiny details. They complimented the key events of the book and also emphasised the unique personalities of each of the named characters, especially Lily, Tom and Horatio Pinch. Pinch in particular has a dark, semi-evil look about him with his lanky frame and black clothes, which I loved. I think that younger readers in particular will enjoy these illustrations as a means to visualise parts of the story as they play out.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed reading The Curio Collectors and would recommend it for readers aged 9+. Though short, it is a book filled with plenty of adventure, mystery, intrigue and excitement, and has likeable characters that are easy to connect with and relate to. Its accessible and simple language is also perfect for struggling or hesitant readers, engaging them and allowing them to follow along with the story without difficulty. Though the story may be over, I will continue to wonder about the Hawkers, and whether they ever made it to France to show off their spectacular collection of curios there.
WARNING: This review contains spoilers; please read on only if comfortable with this.
The Curio Collectors is a short children’s novel by renowned Welsh author Eloise Williams. Set in 1896 during the Victorian era, it tells the story of two children – Lily and Tom – as they unravel the shocking mystery of one of their “curios”.
Having no parents of their own, siblings Lily and Tom were adopted by an elderly traveller named Ma Hawker at a young age. They have travelled with her in her horse-drawn caravan ever since, and for years it has been their job to find and clean curios to be displayed as part of their travelling show. During the show, they drum up an audience and collect donations from onlookers while Ma Hawker shows off their collection. Money is tight for the Hawkers, and it is through these donations and the sale of unique and interesting curios to rich buyers that they are able to afford food to eat and places to camp.
When Lily is tricked into using the last of their money to buy a briefcase of seemingly worthless junk, the trio fear that they will struggle to make ends meet. However, one of the items within – a scrimshaw shell – soon attracts an unusual amount of attention in London from two interested individuals: Flora Meriweather, a young maid, and Horatio Pinch, a renowned botanist. Lily and Tom befriend Flora after she approaches the caravan to purchase the scrimshaw, and the three work together to uncover its secrets.
I enjoyed the story of The Curio Collectors. It engaged me throughout, and was full of many twists and turns despite its short length. There was never a stagnant moment, and I felt connected with Lily and Tom as they worked with Flora to unravel the mystery of the scrimshaw. This said, as a consequence of the swift pacing, the events of the novel feel somewhat rushed and are not explored to the depth that they perhaps could (or should) have been. I would have loved to spend longer with Lily, Tom and Ma Hawker in the countryside before reaching London, or to see them experience more of the city prior to the mystery of the scrimshaw taking hold. There were also a couple of small plotholes that stood out to me, which hampered my immersion in the story slightly. However, I recognise that younger readers of the target age may not notice these things, as I suspect they’ll be fully caught up in the whirlwind adventure at hand.
Lily and Tom as the two main protagonists of The Curio Collectors are superbly written and well-characterised. They are shown to be caring, grateful and respectful of Ma Hawker, while also fiercely independent and self-assured when the occasion calls for it. You can’t help but admire Lily’s determination to help Flora and ensure that the scrimshaw doesn’t fall in the wrong hands, as well as her intelligence and wit. Tom, as her younger brother, is slightly more naive and innocent, but maintains a solid level of charm. I feel that a lot of children with younger siblings will see themselves in this dynamic duo, and relate to their experiences together. The other characters in the novel – including Ma Hawker, Flora Meriweather and Horatio Pinch – are also extremely likeable (or hateable, in the case of the latter). You really get a sense of their struggles, ideals and morals even though they are not the characters you follow closely.
To comment on Williams’ writing, this was delightful in The Curio Collectors, with a simple yet refined vocabulary used throughout. Her style is perfectly suited to Barrington Stoke’s goal of publishing accessible, hi-lo (high interest, low ability) children’s fiction, and I found the novel to be extremely readable. Though I did not read it in one sitting, I easily could have done, and expect that younger readers may feel the urge to do so. Those who may be dyslexic, reluctant or intimidated by longer novels will certainly find a story that is both easy to consume and enjoy here. I also think that the message she conveys about giving credit where it is due is also incredibly important for children to hear, particularly when there are many historical examples of – for example – womens’ scientific achievements being attributed to their male colleagues (known as the “Matilda Effect”).
I cannot end this review without making mention of Anna Shepeta’s excellent illustrations, which are sprinkled throughout The Curio Collectors. Printed in black and white, these illustrations are both intricate and enchanting, with a unique style that draws the reader to peer closer and take in all of the tiny details. They complimented the key events of the book and also emphasised the unique personalities of each of the named characters, especially Lily, Tom and Horatio Pinch. Pinch in particular has a dark, semi-evil look about him with his lanky frame and black clothes, which I loved. I think that younger readers in particular will enjoy these illustrations as a means to visualise parts of the story as they play out.
In conclusion, I really enjoyed reading The Curio Collectors and would recommend it for readers aged 9+. Though short, it is a book filled with plenty of adventure, mystery, intrigue and excitement, and has likeable characters that are easy to connect with and relate to. Its accessible and simple language is also perfect for struggling or hesitant readers, engaging them and allowing them to follow along with the story without difficulty. Though the story may be over, I will continue to wonder about the Hawkers, and whether they ever made it to France to show off their spectacular collection of curios there.
December 27, 2024
This is a lovely historical story. It’s a hot day in 1896 and Lily and Tom are searching in a river for curios to add to their collection. The brother and sister are travelling with Ma Hawker on their way to earn money by entertaining passersby with their curios and hoping to sell them too. But when Lily and Tom meet a young boy while their Ma is sleeping they end up buying what they hope is a bag of interesting curios, but the pair get tricked and what they end up with seems to be a bag of junk instead. Lily is desperate to make up for her mistake, but could something in the junk pile they received hold something more valuable after all?
This is an interesting story set in Victorian times following Lily and Tom who live with Ma Hawker in their caravan. I love the way this story begins, giving us an insight into the kids lives as travellers and the descriptions of things like the outdoors and their horse. While the family travel from place to place they make money by performing for passersby, showing off their curios and trying to sell some to wealthy people watching too.
When the family arrive in London there are many people to entertain, but soon Lily is approached by a young maid desperate to buy something specific from them, a scrimshaw, something that’s more important than either of the siblings realise. I love what happens in this story, especially after the family arrive in London and the adventure the kids go on to discover what exactly is so special about the item the maid wants and why others seem interested in it too.
The story is interesting, exciting and I love the mystery that is later revealed and eventually solved. It’s a great story with a brilliant ending for all of the characters involved. The book has some lovely illustrations in black, white and grey which accompany the text every few pages. I love these pictures as they really add to the story making you feel the atmosphere and you can see the fun way the characters and their caravan looks. I like the almost folkart sort of style of the pictures and each image is good with characters’ expressions easy to see. I especially love the way the horse looks with its hat on!
This book is just under 100 pages long and is filled with dyslexia friendly features such as a specific font used to make reading easier, separated paragraphs, larger text size and the physical book is printed on thick more creamy/yellow paper, making it a great book for both dyslexics and also reluctant readers to enjoy.
Overall I have really enjoyed this story. The life of historical travellers like Lily, Tom and Ma Hawker are interesting, and I love how they get involved with the maid who later reveals something interesting and exciting that takes the kids on an adventure in London. The ending is so good too and I love how the text of the story also evokes the atmosphere well. A brilliant and exciting story with a great ending for all too.
-Thansk to Barrington Stoke for a free coyp.
This is an interesting story set in Victorian times following Lily and Tom who live with Ma Hawker in their caravan. I love the way this story begins, giving us an insight into the kids lives as travellers and the descriptions of things like the outdoors and their horse. While the family travel from place to place they make money by performing for passersby, showing off their curios and trying to sell some to wealthy people watching too.
When the family arrive in London there are many people to entertain, but soon Lily is approached by a young maid desperate to buy something specific from them, a scrimshaw, something that’s more important than either of the siblings realise. I love what happens in this story, especially after the family arrive in London and the adventure the kids go on to discover what exactly is so special about the item the maid wants and why others seem interested in it too.
The story is interesting, exciting and I love the mystery that is later revealed and eventually solved. It’s a great story with a brilliant ending for all of the characters involved. The book has some lovely illustrations in black, white and grey which accompany the text every few pages. I love these pictures as they really add to the story making you feel the atmosphere and you can see the fun way the characters and their caravan looks. I like the almost folkart sort of style of the pictures and each image is good with characters’ expressions easy to see. I especially love the way the horse looks with its hat on!
This book is just under 100 pages long and is filled with dyslexia friendly features such as a specific font used to make reading easier, separated paragraphs, larger text size and the physical book is printed on thick more creamy/yellow paper, making it a great book for both dyslexics and also reluctant readers to enjoy.
Overall I have really enjoyed this story. The life of historical travellers like Lily, Tom and Ma Hawker are interesting, and I love how they get involved with the maid who later reveals something interesting and exciting that takes the kids on an adventure in London. The ending is so good too and I love how the text of the story also evokes the atmosphere well. A brilliant and exciting story with a great ending for all too.
-Thansk to Barrington Stoke for a free coyp.
February 15, 2023
Hunting for treasure, or in this case curios, is always fun and there is nothing quite like the thrill of finding something unexpected. My mum has recently began hunting for treasures from the ocean, scouring the Cornish coastline for hidden gems; she took much pleasure in sending me pics of her first sea glass finds last summer.
Lil and Tom live with Ma Hawker in their cosy horse-drawn caravan. The Hawkers make a living by selling their marvellous collection of curios (items that they have gathered along the way). Never staying in one place for long, they travel from town to town telling made-up stories about their breathtaking finds.
Always on the hunt for hidden treasure, Lil thinks she has struck gold after buying a battered leather case full of remarkable curios from around the world. Ma thinks most of it is worthless rubbish but a special piece of engraved scrimshaw is hotly sought. Flora Meriweather is convinced that it will solve a family mystery. Fine dressed gentleman, Horatio Pinch, has much darker motives, needing to keep secrets hidden in the past. Can the children uncover what is so special about the scrimshaw? Will it find its way to the rightful owner…
A sprinkling of adventure, a dash of mystery, a dastardly crime and the magic of collecting and trading curios combine in a story that is as spectacular as Ma Hawker’s cabinet of curiosities.
Set in 1896 and taking readers from the quiet countryside to the hustle and bustle of Victorian London, The Curio Collectors is a beautifully written historical tale from the fabulous Eloise Williams. In a fast-paced hunt for the truth, exciting escapades, a cabinet full of curiosity, an important mystery and the blossoming of friendship will entertain and captivate readers.
Plucky children Lil, Tom and Flora are the stars, and as secrets and lies are revealed they find courage and use all of their resourcefulness, displaying bags of heart to get the better of a devilish villain who has no shame in taking advantage of others. Suspense, mystery and shady goings-on enthral, whilst messages of doing the right thing and helping those who need it most are welcomed.
Finding wondrous things, travelling from town to town and then selling them for a pretty penny or two sounds like such a unique and interesting life and it is a pleasure to have a little glimpse into another era and see how a different community lived. Children will be fascinated by the caravan lifestyle and having the freedom to move whenever the family felt like it - oh to live so simply.
Another piece of brilliance from Williams. Loved it!
Recommended for 8+.
Lil and Tom live with Ma Hawker in their cosy horse-drawn caravan. The Hawkers make a living by selling their marvellous collection of curios (items that they have gathered along the way). Never staying in one place for long, they travel from town to town telling made-up stories about their breathtaking finds.
Always on the hunt for hidden treasure, Lil thinks she has struck gold after buying a battered leather case full of remarkable curios from around the world. Ma thinks most of it is worthless rubbish but a special piece of engraved scrimshaw is hotly sought. Flora Meriweather is convinced that it will solve a family mystery. Fine dressed gentleman, Horatio Pinch, has much darker motives, needing to keep secrets hidden in the past. Can the children uncover what is so special about the scrimshaw? Will it find its way to the rightful owner…
A sprinkling of adventure, a dash of mystery, a dastardly crime and the magic of collecting and trading curios combine in a story that is as spectacular as Ma Hawker’s cabinet of curiosities.
Set in 1896 and taking readers from the quiet countryside to the hustle and bustle of Victorian London, The Curio Collectors is a beautifully written historical tale from the fabulous Eloise Williams. In a fast-paced hunt for the truth, exciting escapades, a cabinet full of curiosity, an important mystery and the blossoming of friendship will entertain and captivate readers.
Plucky children Lil, Tom and Flora are the stars, and as secrets and lies are revealed they find courage and use all of their resourcefulness, displaying bags of heart to get the better of a devilish villain who has no shame in taking advantage of others. Suspense, mystery and shady goings-on enthral, whilst messages of doing the right thing and helping those who need it most are welcomed.
Finding wondrous things, travelling from town to town and then selling them for a pretty penny or two sounds like such a unique and interesting life and it is a pleasure to have a little glimpse into another era and see how a different community lived. Children will be fascinated by the caravan lifestyle and having the freedom to move whenever the family felt like it - oh to live so simply.
Another piece of brilliance from Williams. Loved it!
Recommended for 8+.
February 21, 2023
Publication Date: 2nd March 2023
4.2 Stars
One Liner: Such a cute adventurous book
Digswell Water, 1896
Lily and Tom travel with Ma Hawker, collecting interesting items, displaying, and selling them to people for money. When Lily gets duped into buying a bag of useless items, she finds scrimshaw in it. Flora Meriweathe is desperate to find the missing scrimshaw to know more about her mother. However, someone else also wants this mysterious item and will go to any lengths to grab it. Can Lily and Tom help Flora in her quest?
The story comes in Lily’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
This is an adorable little story about 12-year-old Lily and her 10-year-old little brother Tom. Their characteristics are reversed. Lily is practical and handy with the tools, and Tom is a dreamer. I love Lily’s arc.
The story has adventure, mystery, danger, and intrigue but for the kiddos. This makes a cozy mystery for adults. Some may find it too mild and easily solved, but it should work well for the target audience (well, I think I can include myself in that category).
The book breaks stereotypes about women at varying levels. Be it Ma Hawker traveling alone with two kids or the other characters we meet towards the end, it puts women in assertive roles without making it preachy. At the same time, they aren’t flawless.
The illustrations are in black and white but very atmospheric. My favorite is the one in the graveyard. And, of course, I’m totally in love with Lily’s flowing tresses.
Being a short book, it packs quite a bit in less than 100 pages. While the beginning takes the time to set the stage and let readers meet the characters, the second half speeds by like a superfast train. This makes the climax a little rushed. The ending is perfect and can work as a lead for a sequel. I sure would love to read more adventures by the trio.
To summarize, The Curio Collectors is a lovely little book about the adventures of young nomadic travelers from the Victorian period. The theme is less common in fiction writing and makes a good choice for kids to learn more about a different era.
Thank you, NetGalley and Barrington Stoke, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheCurioCollectors
4.2 Stars
One Liner: Such a cute adventurous book
Digswell Water, 1896
Lily and Tom travel with Ma Hawker, collecting interesting items, displaying, and selling them to people for money. When Lily gets duped into buying a bag of useless items, she finds scrimshaw in it. Flora Meriweathe is desperate to find the missing scrimshaw to know more about her mother. However, someone else also wants this mysterious item and will go to any lengths to grab it. Can Lily and Tom help Flora in her quest?
The story comes in Lily’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
This is an adorable little story about 12-year-old Lily and her 10-year-old little brother Tom. Their characteristics are reversed. Lily is practical and handy with the tools, and Tom is a dreamer. I love Lily’s arc.
The story has adventure, mystery, danger, and intrigue but for the kiddos. This makes a cozy mystery for adults. Some may find it too mild and easily solved, but it should work well for the target audience (well, I think I can include myself in that category).
The book breaks stereotypes about women at varying levels. Be it Ma Hawker traveling alone with two kids or the other characters we meet towards the end, it puts women in assertive roles without making it preachy. At the same time, they aren’t flawless.
The illustrations are in black and white but very atmospheric. My favorite is the one in the graveyard. And, of course, I’m totally in love with Lily’s flowing tresses.
Being a short book, it packs quite a bit in less than 100 pages. While the beginning takes the time to set the stage and let readers meet the characters, the second half speeds by like a superfast train. This makes the climax a little rushed. The ending is perfect and can work as a lead for a sequel. I sure would love to read more adventures by the trio.
To summarize, The Curio Collectors is a lovely little book about the adventures of young nomadic travelers from the Victorian period. The theme is less common in fiction writing and makes a good choice for kids to learn more about a different era.
Thank you, NetGalley and Barrington Stoke, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheCurioCollectors
January 31, 2023
'The Curio Collectors' is a well pitched read for 7-9 year olds, about Lily and Tom and their adopted 'mother', Ma Hawkins. The language is easy and the chapters are short - perfect for readers relatively new to chapter books and independent reading.
The three collect curios and travel the country trying to scrape enough money to live on by telling stories about the treasures they have found. I really liked the concept of a story exploring the lives of the travelling community and would love to see more fiction for children written in that setting, and exploring the values and lifestyle of children who lived in it. I was initially drawn to the book by its cover - what child would not love the idea of living in a caravan and living a life of freedom?!
I felt, on reading the book, though, that the story was lacking in depth and a little rushed in many places. I also felt that, had the relationship between the children and their guardian been fleshed out more, it could have been a lovely picture of what adopted family can look like. However, I didn't feel she had much affection for the children she sets to work, and that felt a little uncomfortable. The story picks up pace as Lily and Tom meet Flora, daughter of a little know and underrated female botanist, whose lifework is about to be stolen by a malevolent male competitor. Again, I really liked the choice of theme, but feel that the story might feel less rushed if these characters had been introduced in a different book as they merit a whole story of their own!
In summary, as a book for younger readers it rates well, but I feel that children over 9 might find it too simplistic and lacking in depth.
The three collect curios and travel the country trying to scrape enough money to live on by telling stories about the treasures they have found. I really liked the concept of a story exploring the lives of the travelling community and would love to see more fiction for children written in that setting, and exploring the values and lifestyle of children who lived in it. I was initially drawn to the book by its cover - what child would not love the idea of living in a caravan and living a life of freedom?!
I felt, on reading the book, though, that the story was lacking in depth and a little rushed in many places. I also felt that, had the relationship between the children and their guardian been fleshed out more, it could have been a lovely picture of what adopted family can look like. However, I didn't feel she had much affection for the children she sets to work, and that felt a little uncomfortable. The story picks up pace as Lily and Tom meet Flora, daughter of a little know and underrated female botanist, whose lifework is about to be stolen by a malevolent male competitor. Again, I really liked the choice of theme, but feel that the story might feel less rushed if these characters had been introduced in a different book as they merit a whole story of their own!
In summary, as a book for younger readers it rates well, but I feel that children over 9 might find it too simplistic and lacking in depth.
December 31, 2022
Lily and Tom live with Ma Hawker, she's not really their Ma but she took them in when they were alone. They live in a traveller caravan pulled by Winnie, their horse. Lily and Tom are searching for curios in the river. That's their job, then when they get to town the children help Ma make up stories and put on a show to sell the curios to teh rich folk.
But things aren't going well, they have to keep moving on and when Lily buys a suitcase from a boy, she has made a huge mistake. Ma Hawker says it's rubbish and says they'll be moving again - to London.
But in the suitcase is a shell scrimshaw which a maid wants to buy, when Lily tries to ask for more money the maid doesn't have the money but says she'll get it just not to sell to anyone else. She is scared off by a strange man.
This man wants the scrimshaw too. But Lily hides it and the children look for Flora, the maid, and find out her story. They have to help. But what is special about the scrimshaw. And who is the strange man?
This is a nice adventure story, set in the past, when girls weren't supposed to do anything much. But these feisty young ladies intend to.
Barrington Stoke books are very popular at school so yes i would love to get this too.
But things aren't going well, they have to keep moving on and when Lily buys a suitcase from a boy, she has made a huge mistake. Ma Hawker says it's rubbish and says they'll be moving again - to London.
But in the suitcase is a shell scrimshaw which a maid wants to buy, when Lily tries to ask for more money the maid doesn't have the money but says she'll get it just not to sell to anyone else. She is scared off by a strange man.
This man wants the scrimshaw too. But Lily hides it and the children look for Flora, the maid, and find out her story. They have to help. But what is special about the scrimshaw. And who is the strange man?
This is a nice adventure story, set in the past, when girls weren't supposed to do anything much. But these feisty young ladies intend to.
Barrington Stoke books are very popular at school so yes i would love to get this too.
January 2, 2023
Thank you so much to Barrington Stoke and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.
Lil, Tom and Ma Hawker are travellers always off on an adventure, finding curios and selling them to anyone that will buy. When stopped in London a young maid wants a shell that they have and it unlocks a bigger mystery that they thought.
This was such a great book, I loved the characters and their life style it was so fascinating. They had to search for wondrous things, or things they could sell as wondrous to those with money. They traveled everywhere and saw so much, it was so interesting.
I loved that even though a deal goes badly it becomes a big success and they soon find a big mystery and a new friend on the stop on their travels. I really loved meeting Flora, I loved that she was so fascinated with the shells and finding out why was so fun and going with them on the mystery adventure.
This was a really unique and fun read, I loved going to a different era and seeing what these children’s lives were like, I really loved following them on their adventure and solving the mystery.
Lil, Tom and Ma Hawker are travellers always off on an adventure, finding curios and selling them to anyone that will buy. When stopped in London a young maid wants a shell that they have and it unlocks a bigger mystery that they thought.
This was such a great book, I loved the characters and their life style it was so fascinating. They had to search for wondrous things, or things they could sell as wondrous to those with money. They traveled everywhere and saw so much, it was so interesting.
I loved that even though a deal goes badly it becomes a big success and they soon find a big mystery and a new friend on the stop on their travels. I really loved meeting Flora, I loved that she was so fascinated with the shells and finding out why was so fun and going with them on the mystery adventure.
This was a really unique and fun read, I loved going to a different era and seeing what these children’s lives were like, I really loved following them on their adventure and solving the mystery.
November 25, 2023
It feels like I have just discovered one of my most favourite middle grade authors!
Thank you, Barrington Stoke, for the copy. It took me a while to get into this book and I really do not know why!
I find the writing incredible. The characters, both the young and adult characters, are well etched out.
The story is about a family of two kids who are taken in by a kind woman. They struggle everyday with whatever work they can find (curios collecting is what they do the best!) but we know they are so loved and taken care of. One day they are forced to leave and they happen to reach a place where they come across a girl whose mother’s lifetime work is on the verge of being credited wrongly to a man. However, justice do prevail and all thanks to the kids, the story ends with an amazing lesson for us all.
Love it so much! I love the cover so much!
Thank you, Barrington Stoke, for the copy. It took me a while to get into this book and I really do not know why!
I find the writing incredible. The characters, both the young and adult characters, are well etched out.
The story is about a family of two kids who are taken in by a kind woman. They struggle everyday with whatever work they can find (curios collecting is what they do the best!) but we know they are so loved and taken care of. One day they are forced to leave and they happen to reach a place where they come across a girl whose mother’s lifetime work is on the verge of being credited wrongly to a man. However, justice do prevail and all thanks to the kids, the story ends with an amazing lesson for us all.
Love it so much! I love the cover so much!
January 28, 2023
This is another fantastic story by Eloise Williams, author of many incredible historical mystery books, such as Gaslight and Wilde. This has been written for Barrington Stoke and so while it retains the same amount of excitement and adventure as the rest of her stories, this is suitable for children who are still building up their reading stamina, reluctant readers and/or dyslexic readers.
Lily and Tom live with Ma Hawker, who together travel with their collection of curios, wowing audiences with the wondrous although not always entirely true stories behind their curios. When both a maid and a sinister gentleman both take an interest to a piece of scrimshaw (decorated ivory), a race to discover the mystery behind it begins.
I was amazed by how much excitement can be built and contained in such a short story. It takes exceptional skill to produce such a large world and story in a seemingly simple way but Eloise has managed it here. I loved this story and will be using it in my classroom, as well as recommending it to other educators and parents.
Lily and Tom live with Ma Hawker, who together travel with their collection of curios, wowing audiences with the wondrous although not always entirely true stories behind their curios. When both a maid and a sinister gentleman both take an interest to a piece of scrimshaw (decorated ivory), a race to discover the mystery behind it begins.
I was amazed by how much excitement can be built and contained in such a short story. It takes exceptional skill to produce such a large world and story in a seemingly simple way but Eloise has managed it here. I loved this story and will be using it in my classroom, as well as recommending it to other educators and parents.
February 6, 2023
This is a fun, short book. I do not know if any of it is based on fact, although I do know people in the 19th century did collect curiosities. In this book, a couple of children work together to help another girl. There is just a little bit of a mystery, and a beautiful example of people being kind to each other. This short, interesting story will encourage reluctant readers. It is written in the first person, present tense, which adds variety to reading, since not many books are written that way.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley, and these are my honest thoughts about it.
November 22, 2023
The Curio Collectors is a fun story set in 1896 about two kids, Lily and Tom, who travel around with Ma Hawker collecting and selling interesting items. When Lily finds a special scrimshaw, it leads to an exciting adventure filled with mystery and danger. Along the way, they meet Flora, who needs their help to find the missing scrimshaw to learn more about her mother. But they soon realize that they're not the only ones looking for it. The story is told from Lily's point of view, and it's full of adventure and excitement. The book has cool black and white pictures that make the story even more fun. It's a great read for kids who like mysteries and historical adventures.
January 18, 2023
A fast-paced adventure with a spunky heroine and a fun, Victorian flavour. Lily and her brother Tom travel from place to place with their adoptive mother, hunting for curious objects and selling them to collectors. When they discover a strange, decorated shell, they become part of a plot involving stolen secrets, dangerous graveyard walks, and a quest to help a new friend. This simple yet engaging story has plenty of heart and adventure to entertain young readers.
December 28, 2022
A charming tale of curiosity, mystery and friendship. I've never read a story that features a curio collector before and this one was a lovely tale. Definitely a children's book but it delighted me nonetheless. Thanks to the author and Netgalley for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2022
An excellent short adventure story that the whole family enjoyed. A tale of adventure and adversity. It read a bit like an old fashioned black and white movie short , bad guy , clever brave children, finding treasure (of a sort) and helping each other. More please .....
January 21, 2023
Very quick to read and had really nice writing. The characters were all charming, and I think this is a very good book for younger readers. It’s not the most fleshed out story, and the ending was very rushed, but for the age group it’s catered towards, it’s a very good pick.
February 18, 2023
Enthralling adventure story for young readers about a sister and brother who live and travel in a caravan with Ma Hawker, who took them in when they were younger. They chance upon an engraved shell that they intend to put into their cabinet of curios, and this is where their adventure begins.
November 18, 2025
I enjoyed this little story. A nice lunchtime read.
March 13, 2023
The Curio Collectors is another fantastic short book from Barrington Stoke, the publishing industry specialists in making books interesting, exciting and incredibly accessible. They're targeted at reluctant readers and people with reading difficulties, but personally I just find them a really great, short read.
The Curio Collectors is a historic novel, set in 1896. And for such a short read it really does pack an awful lot in! Lily and Tom are travelling the country with Ma Hawker, scraping a living by showing off their collection of curios to paying crowds, and selling some of their pieces to distinguished collectors. From the very start we can see that it's not a very secure life, as they get chased off of a piece of land by a farmer demanding rent for the small patch of field their caravan takes up.
It's when they head for London that the mystery element of the story really kicks in, and I thought it was excellent! There's a young maid after one of their curios, and a gentleman who also seems very interested in purchasing it. There follow secret messages, hidden treasure maps, and an exciting treasure hunt. As well as the fascinating portrayal of the main characters' travelling lifestyle, there are some strong feminist themes that come out of the writing, challenging perspectives of the 1890s in a way that is still all too relevant today. It raises important questions about who took credit for the advances of the past, and was it always the person responsible for the actual discoveries?
A thrilling mystery, intertwined with some important themes. A delightful curio!
The Curio Collectors is a historic novel, set in 1896. And for such a short read it really does pack an awful lot in! Lily and Tom are travelling the country with Ma Hawker, scraping a living by showing off their collection of curios to paying crowds, and selling some of their pieces to distinguished collectors. From the very start we can see that it's not a very secure life, as they get chased off of a piece of land by a farmer demanding rent for the small patch of field their caravan takes up.
It's when they head for London that the mystery element of the story really kicks in, and I thought it was excellent! There's a young maid after one of their curios, and a gentleman who also seems very interested in purchasing it. There follow secret messages, hidden treasure maps, and an exciting treasure hunt. As well as the fascinating portrayal of the main characters' travelling lifestyle, there are some strong feminist themes that come out of the writing, challenging perspectives of the 1890s in a way that is still all too relevant today. It raises important questions about who took credit for the advances of the past, and was it always the person responsible for the actual discoveries?
A thrilling mystery, intertwined with some important themes. A delightful curio!
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