'The Garnett Girls’ and ‘Small’ are this week’s adult and child book of the week. 

The Garnett Girls (adult book) - reviewed by Jacqui Howchin 

A brilliant debut and powerful tale of sisterhood and home, set on the beautiful beaches of the Isle of Wight. 

Margo and Richard had the passionate all-consuming love affair that only happens one in a million times but ultimately doomed to failure and when Richard walks out Margo shuts herself away from the world and her three daughters are left to fend for themselves.  

They retreat to Sandcove their holiday home on the Isle of Wight, once the setting for joyful family holidays but now a comforting haven. 

As the sisters grow up and remain very close, each of them struggles in different ways to leave the past behind and come to terms with where their father fits in their life.  

All of this draws the reader into a beautifully written and absorbing novel about family relationships, secrets and mistakes that must be forgiven to allow everyone to live their life to its full potential. 

Small (children’s book) - reviewed by Jacqui Howchin 

Harvey is a small boy in a giant world. When he accidentally sets his teachers trousers on fire and gets into trouble at school, Harvey's mum decides to send him to a school for giants. 

There is only one problem… Harvey is not a giant. To solve the problem Harvey walks around on stilts with great big false feet on the bottom! 

This is an incredibly funny book with a very subtle message about being different and tolerant. It has plenty of yucky moments to keep any youngster happy and it’s a great book to read out loud. 

Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2023 in the younger category.