Lizzy Albright is ten just before Christmas, and at this early age she is about to be thrust into another world of a cursed queen and a lost heir. We begin our journey in Overland Park, Kansas, on Christmas Eve 1964. An adventure like Lizzy’s favourite tale ‘The Wizard of Oz’ is about to unfold in LIZZY ALBRIGHT AND THE ATTIC WINDOW.

In between chapters of the girl’s adventures, we see life and catastrophe in the Kingdom of Ailear. The authors Ricky Tims (who has produced several books on quilting) and Kat Bowser have woven the fable between times and places, so that even when we have heard one side of the story, a different side is yet to be revealed. I also like the wide vocabulary use, which becomes more advanced as we work deeper into peril, so young readers won’t drop the book after finding a new word.  

Granny McHale is hosting Lizzy’s family for Christmas, and the journey and family matters occupy a good few pages. Lizzy has a handsome Scottish terrier, McDoogle, which is never far from her side. When Lizzy goes to sleep on a snowy night under an antique quilt, a tapping noise at the attic window is made by a goose named Gretta, who has been flying alongside the family car. Gretta is determined to take Lizzy back to her world of Ailear to see if she is a missing Princess who alone can break a curse. McDoogle newly acquires the power of speech, with a charming Scots accent, and insists on accompanying his friend Lizzy.

Lizzy doesn’t think she is the Princess, but she is pretty sure she is dreaming anyway, when she accepts the invitation. Life is different in Ailear, where various jobs are held by speaking animals, but culture has advanced to pop groups and motorbies, which are like motorbikes. A few chuckles are in store for adult readers, who may have to explain The Beatles to their kids. Evil still dwells in swamps, and uses dead animal parts to craft its spells. Characters can still be two-faced, or self-serving. The young reader may be surprised how often this occurs.

Can Lizzy face down the curse and find her way home again? Once readers get absorbed in the tale they will definitely want to find out, but beware that slow start in Kansas. LIZZY ALBRIGHT AND THE ATTIC WINDOW is entertaining and full of great concepts, a good read for adult and ten year old alike.