Share your favourite Eva Ibbotson book for a chance to WIN her entire back catalogue

[TinaMumsnet]

Christmas is coming – and what better gift than a book for young readers?

Eva Ibbotson's extensive and brilliant range of books offer something for readers from ages eight up to sixteen, and make timeless classics to read over and over again.

For a chance to WIN a full set of this celebrated author's work, simply tell us which Ibbotson book is the favourite in your family and why. If you haven't read any yet, don't worry; let us know which one you'd like to share with your DC this Christmas for a chance to win.

For more information about her books simply follow the links below:

8+ - For readers who like a giggle, Eva Ibbotson was one of the original, classic funny fiction authors. These books will have young boys and girls in fits of laughter:
The Ogre of Oglefort
Which Witch?
Not Just a Witch

8+ - Boys and girls who love a spooky read will adore this selection of magical mysteries:
Dial A Ghost
The Great Ghost Rescue
The Haunting of Hiram

8+ - If your young reader is a Harry Potter fan, why not pick up one of these Eva Ibbotson reads:
The Beasts of Clawstone Castle
The Secret of Platform 13
Monster Mission

10+ - Slightly older readers will absolutely devour these novels – perfect for escaping the cold weather and disappearing to faraway landscapes:
Journey to the River Sea
The Dragonfly Pool
The Star of Kazan

12+ - Eva Ibbotson's books for teenagers can be loved by all age 12 years and up, and blend together the magic of feisty heroines, historical romance and a strong sense of place:
The Company of Swans
Magic Flutes
The Morning Gift
The Secret Countess
A Song for Summer
The Christmas Star

We'll pick the winner on the 7 December and post their nickname on this thread.

This discussion is sponsored by Pan Macmillan

[FoxInABox]

The great ghost rescue- as my soon to be 8 year old DD is loving anything mysterious or spooky lately!

[henbane]

I loved Which Witch - I remember reading it to one of the children, thought it was my younger sister but having checked when it was published I think it must have been my stepdaughter.

[henbane]

• though having googled it for the publication date, I'm a bit surprised to see the age range described as 8-12 - I'm sure she was much younger than that!

[JasperDamerel]

I loved Which Witch as a child. I liked the combination of wild fantasy and down to earth pragmatism, and the sense (which I found in her other books, too) that quiet, gentle kindness is actually a force to be reckoned with.

A few months ago, when I was ill with bronchitis, I read a review of The Morning Gift, read it, and then devoured all the other romances in the space of a week. Again, I was drawn to the uncomplicated goodness of the heroines, but I also very much enjoyed the depictions of refugee communities in England.

The thing that stays with me the most, though, is her descrption of the "wild strawberry place" in Magic Flutes.

DD has been waiting for ages for The Star of Kazan from the school library, and I haven't read it, so that's the one I most want to get my hands on.

[agnapoop]

I have not had the pleasure of reading any of her books yet but would love to read the secret of platform 13. My daughter is harry potter mad so it would be interesting to let her read this and find our her point of view on it .

[Albaalba]

The Secret Countess and The Morning Gift are my favourites and I read them as an adult whenever I need cheering up. The plots sound cheesy but the execution is brilliant - funny, hilarious at times, really delightful lead characters, heroes so lovely I may have called my son after one of them, and plenty of knowing nods from a modern day perspective. I can't wait to share them all with my daughter.

[sjonlegs]

Oh WOW a friend mentioned Eva Ibbotson just the other day, but I hadn't heard of her books before then. I believe they're JUST what I'm looking for for my 7 year old daughter. She's a superstar reader and devours books like fun. She's quite advanced for her age and I'm at a loss as to where to guide her. She's been reading some of her 10 year old brother's books and chooses from the library at school all sorts of weird and wonderful things. My fingers are firmly crossed that we're lucky - but I'll definitely be seeking these out either way! Thanks for the heads up

[INeedACheeseSlicer]

DD has only read a couple of her books - the Secret of platform 13, and Not just a witch. We read them together recently and both really enjoyed them, especially the Secret of Platform 13.

[Sarahmackins1974]

Not long after the Harry Potter series finished I found The secret of platform 13 in a charity shop intrigued by the title I couldn't resist buying it and thoroughly enjoyed it and have it put aside for daughter who is almost old enough now I'd love to discover more of her books with my daughter being the right age now and can then share again with her younger brother too

[shewhomustbeEbayed]

Journey to the River Sea is my 12 yo DD favourite, she read it when she was about 10. I'd be interested in her 12+ books now.

[anniesk]

I didn't know these books, however I've done a little research and they look amazing. My granddaughters are avid readers, I'm sure they would love to read any of Eva Ibbotson's books, especially " A Company of Swans" as they are keen Ballet dancers.

[stoppingbywoods]

Journey to the River Sea.

[G1veMeStrength]

DD LOVED Journey to the River Sea. In fact she got me to read it after her and I enjoyed it too. Made a change to read a child's book where I couldn't predict what was coming next - amazed at lack of cliches.

[llynnnn]

I adored the worst witch as a child, how had I forgotten them for my daughters!! Im sure they would love the humour of the worst witch. Would love to introduce them both to these books

[grecka]

The Star of Kazan - it's fascinating!

[Danso]

Not being British I haven't come across these books yet, however based on the covers of the books I am sure my eldest daughter would choose The Haunting of Hiram to read first.

[Tigerlily13]

The secret of platform 13 - I just remember how magical it was!

[Curioushorse]

Oh brilliant. There should definitely be more Eva Ibbotson threads!

It's good that this is an anonymous forum, because I'm going to freely admit to occasionally 'comfort-reading' some of her books. You know those days when you need a book, but you're also a bit too tired to read? Yep. A couple of times this summer I did this with Eva Ibbotsons. I told myself I was merely revising them in preparation for my children being old enough but....meh...they have about five years to go yet.

Which Witch is a little work of genius. It is pretty much the perfect book. The storyline is classic, with loads of twists to keep it interesting, but I think it's the way it's told and the characterisation that make it so charming. I like that slightly knowing humour from the narrator, but it's so engaging and sweet that you never feel that the characters are patronised.

There also isn't a wasted word. The plot is tightly crafted and every single detail feels important.

In all, it's just funny, well-written, exciting and I still fancy Arriman the Awful a little bit.

[JasperDamerel]

I do, too.

[weebarra]

It's lovely to see how many people love Eva Ibbotson, I do too!
I remember getting Which Witch out of the library when I was younger, but have rediscovered some of her books more recently. They really are magical!

[kirstywa]

I remember enjoying Which Witch as a child but DS (age 9) and I are thoroughly enjoying The Abominables at bedtime at the moment - it appeals to all ages and well written. Sometimes my DS reads and other times me - really vivid descriptions but easy for younger children to understand and enjoy reading too.

[kateandme]

I love all of her books especially te company of swans

[Benzalkonium]

I read journey to the river sea whilst in hospital waiting to have my Dd. I really enjoyed it, and now my Dd is the right age to enjoy it!

(Goes off to library to request a copy)

[ellenjames]

I have just got my dd10 three of these books for Christmas. I think she will love them and would devour the whole collection

[Katymac]

The Company of Swans and Magic Flutes are almost entirely the reason DD is at Performing Arts college right now.

The 'need' to dance was vividly explained as was the love of music

She is read, reread and reread in our house by 3 generations