Cover of Linnets and Valerians

Linnets and Valerians

Locked away in separate rooms as punishment by their ruthless grandmother, Nan, Robert, Timothy and Betsy decide to make their escape—out of the house, out of the garden and into the village. Commandeering a pony and trap, the children and their dog are led away as the pony makes his way nonchalantly home. The pony's destination happens to be a house that belongs to the children's uncle Ambrose. Gruff but loveable Uncle Ambrose agrees to take them under his wing, letting the children have free rein in his sprawling manor house and surrounding countryside.

Read more

Befriending the motley collection of house guests, including an owl, a giant cat, and a servant who converses with bees, and getting to know the miscellaneous inhabitants of the village, the four siblings discover a life in which magic and reality are curiously intermingled and evil and tragedy lurk never far away.

This charming story beautifully depicts early twentieth century English country life while conjuring an air of magical adventure. It is full of vivid characters, battles between good and evil and wonderful spell-binding moments.

Audience
childrensyoung adultmiddle grade
Length
medium · 256 pages

Click a tag to see books like this one that share it. Point at it (on a phone, tap it) for less of it instead.

Read it? Sign in to help tag it.

Liked Linnets and Valerians? Here’s where I’d start.

These suit anyone who liked Linnets and Valerians. Sign in and mark a few books for picks shaped around your own taste.

  1. Treasure of Green Knowe Shares childrens, fantasy, classics
  2. The Wolves of Willoughby Chase Shares childrens, fantasy, young adult
  3. The Children of Green Knowe Shares childrens, fantasy, classics
  4. The Four-Story Mistake Shares childrens, young adult, classics

“People who read Linnets and Valerians tend to reach for these next.”

  1. Time at the Top
  2. A Traveller In Time
  3. The Little Bookroom
  4. Miss Happiness and Miss Flower

“If you want more of the same (fantasy about childhood), start with these.”

  1. A Stranger at Green Knowe
  2. Mary Poppins
  3. Bedknob and Broomstick
  4. An Enemy at Green Knowe

“If it was the classics that hooked you, try one of these.”

  1. The Borrowers Afield
  2. The Borrowers Afloat
  3. The Indian in the Cupboard
  4. The Borrowers

“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

  1. Sheltie the Shetland Pony
  2. The Elements of Harmony: The Official Guidebook
  3. Friends Forever
  4. Mystic and the Midnight Ride