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

I would like to read Which Witch? with our son as he is just starting to read on his own....and we love reading together!

I'm ashamed to say that I haven't read any Eva Ibbotson...and I don't know how as I'm a huge bookworm! However, last week, my dd (8) brought home 'Which witch' from the school library and devoured it over the weekend! She is really keen to read more books by her new favourite author! Her big brother, 11, and an equally keen reader, would love them too.

Journey to the river sea looks like a book my son would like to read, we love adventure stories and something set on a tropical island would take us away from the winter grey and gloom.

Thank you for reminding me of Eva Ibbotson. I have loved her books and even though both my daughters are avid readers and the perfect ages for Ibbotson they've yet to discover her books. They will delight in her story telling, it is so exciting to come across a 'new' author I can't wait to introduce my girls to her writing. I wonder where we will start!

Which Witch, definitely.
Arriman'S very pragmatic parents. The arguing twins. Belladonna. The baby Kracken using the wizard watcher as a slide.
Doris the octupus familiar.
Madam Olympia and her necklace of teeth.
Rover.
The copy I had as a child had picture of Belladonna sitting up in bed looking radiant the night after she wins, I would love to see that picture again.
I have read it numerous times, both as a child and adult. My dd has read it at least twice.
My second favourite is the dragon fly pool, makes me sob in places every time I read it. The school sounds amazing and I wish I had gone to a school like that. It was based on a real school, the name of which I can't remember right now. I know it doesn't exist anymore.

The Christmas star...this is MY favourite book by Eva Ibbotson, I often read teenage books when my concentration is poor as nice easy reads to get me back in to the habit of reading. I will be reading it again at least once before Christmas

I also loved Which Which? as a child! Oddly enough I don't think I ever discovered any of the others though. The Ogre of Oglefort also sounds fun! I think DS would love these.

I read the 'Secret of Platform 13' to my 8 year old daughter and she absolutely loved it. It was so funny - proper laugh out funny - and very well written. We especially liked Eva Ibbotson's amazing descriptive words - we both learnt many new words - plodged / soughing / skien / nuckelavee / brollachan / chilprufe / bladderwack - the list is endless. This was an especially memorable read because her summer holiday homework was to read books and write down all interesting words she came across! My daughter realised many similarities between this and JK Rowling's books, and asked lots of interesting questions which led to research and we found out this book was written ages ago! This is my daughter's favourite book because it acted as a springboard to her other works. Then we progressed to 'Monster Mission' and then 'Which Witch'. Each one is a delight, opening up new worlds, fabulous prose and real escapism with rounded characters in creatively imagined stories. We are big fans of Eva Ibbotson.

We haven't read any of these books yet but I'm so pleased to have found out about them now as they sound ideal for my soon to be 10 year old DD. Journey to the River Sea will be top of the list. I was impressed by the awards and commendations but also it sounds intelligent, uplifting and that it will not be frightening or disturbing (we've found some books with darker themes can cause sleep problems when read at night - for example a dog killer in the otherwise excellent Roman Mysteries was sadly very off-putting for my DD).

I absolutely loved Journey to The River Sea- it's one I recommend time and time again. You can't beat a good old fashioned adventure and I had already decided to buy it for my 9 year old this year. The prize would be amazing to win for my children and their friends!

I have not read any of Eva Ibbotson's books yet, regrettably. However, I would absolutely love to. The trio of spooky books - 'Dial A Ghost', 'The Great Ghost Rescue' and 'The Haunting of Hiram' - would go down a treat as we love horror/suspense stories. Similarly, the 'Journey to the River Sea', 'The Dragonfly Pool' and 'The Star of Kazan' seem really appealing, and 'The Beasts of Clawstone Castle', 'The Secret of Platform 13' and 'Monster Mission' would be great to read to (and be read by) Key Stage 2 primary school children.

Journey to the River Sea, my daughters favourite book reread lots of times

We love Which Witch too. It's got a lovely style of humour and is an absolute page turner, which means that I've got to enjoy it too!

How have these books passed us by? Which Witch sounds a good one for us to start with I think as it sounds like a funny read

Haven't read any of these yet but I'm sure my grandson would love the Ogre of Oglefort whilst my granddaughter would like The Company of Swans - lovely prize

Curious Horse - since you have been brave enough to go 1st I can also admit to fancying Arriman.
A Dark, mysterious enchanter who has a soft heart and isn't anywhere near as evil as he thinks he is.

Wow, wow, wowser - what an amazing prize - much enjoyment for whoever is lucky enough to win it!

My son who is now 9 loved 'One Dog and his Boy' and we both thoroughly enjoyed "Island of Aunts' which is quite quirky and fantastical. I think I am going to get him 'The Secret of Platform 13' as he has recently read the first couple of Harry Potter's and enjoyed them, so this seems a good fit. I am just about to start reading 'Which Witch' to my 6 year old.

Awesome author!!

I loved Which Witch? as a child so I would really like my DDs to read and love it too.

Which Witch. DD is obsessed with Witches.

The Secret Countess is lovely. Not very feminist, but a very sweet fairytale.

We've read a few and enjoyed them all, but The Abominables is our favourite.

I would love to read any of the 12+ category with my daughter, I've never read Eva Ibbotson but I do love reading and am trying to encourage her to try new authors and books as well. This is a fantastic prize, fingers crossed!

I think that my son would like the Great Ghost Rescue - ever since Halloween he has been obsessed with creepy creatures!

Journey to the River Sea is a sweeping adventure in the style of Frances Hodgson Burnett and Joan Aiken which any 10 to 12 year old will love.

Alas, we have not yet read any of these books, but that will be rectified asap! I think we'd like to make a start with the ghost books, so I'm choosing Dial A Ghost to get us going.