PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
Natasha Hastings was selected to join The London Library's Emerging Writers Programme in 2019. Currently working as a fundraiser, she started developing The Frost Fair while studying History at Cambridge University, where she focused on gender and mental illness. She became determined, while exploring these topics, to have the lives of working women form the heartbeat of The Frost Fair. Alex T. Smith is an award-winning illustrator of children's books including the Claude series. He is a World Book Day Illustrator.
'A gloriously told, wonderfully wintry debut, Hastings' beautifully evocative historical novel is set during the Great Frost of 1683 and revolves around two girls drawn into the sinister world of a mysterious conjuror' Waterstones, Books of the Year 2022 'Spooky and haunting - what struck me most about this historical fiction/fantasy story for children was the high quality of the writing' Philippa Gregory, bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl 'A heart-warming, wintry treat of a read perfect to snuggle up with on cold, snowy days' Hannah Gold, bestselling author of The Last Bear (Waterstones Children's Book of the Year, 2022) 'A lovely, frosty debut that combines cosy details and a pacy adventure with thoughtful explorations of grief and responsibility' Anna James, author of the Pages & Co. series 'An exciting and mysterious debut' Editor's Choice in The Bookseller 'A gripping, atmospheric, fantastical tale of atonement' Kirkus Magazine (USA) 'A great, fast-paced book full of adventure - and I feel lucky to have had my hands on a yet-to-be published copy' Books up North
