The depressing thing about this book is that when you pick it up you suddenly lose sense of time.  I can't remember when I last picked up a book that's this original, fun and can be read by the entire family from a seven-year-old to granny and granddad.

Andi Watson has produced a wonderful new character.  The story is fun and the graphics, although seemingly simplistic, actually have a lot all of detail and depth.  Glister could well (and should), take her place on the bookshelves alongside Paddington Bear and the Wombles as a character that everybody can enjoy.  When I picked up this book I wasn't expecting to lose time, I made the mistake of picking the book up just before dinner and before long I was being shouted at for being late to the table.

The story centres on Glister Butterworth, a girl who has been raised by her father since her mother disappeared when Glister was a baby.  Glister finds out that her mother is being held in the faerie realm and sets out to rescue her.  I won't say too much because I don't want to reveal the twist, but in parts it is a bitter sweet story that is not melancholic or sugary sweet, Watson sets just the right tone.

Walker books produce some of the best children's/adults books on the market and this adds to their impressive range.  I know that once my daughter picks up this book I will be very hard pressed to get it back.  This book will disappear into her bedroom and be read over and over at bedtime; in fact I would bet this will become one of the books that she takes everywhere, including on holiday.

With more Glister on the horizon Andi Watson is certain to become a very popular man with young readers, and I have a funny feeling that adults will get a kick out of sharing this with the younger members of the family.
There are also some nice touches that come with this book; one is the way in which Andi presents the story. The second is The Faerie Host is easy to read whilst not falling into the trap of being too childlike.  Lastly there are some interesting things to do such as making faerie heads and Glister flickers.
Three more books in the series are also planned, Glister: The Haunted Teapot, Glister: The House Hunt, and the one I'm looking forward to Glister: The Family Tree.  These will make ideal gifts for anybody and are great fun.  Definitely a future classic.