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

[buckley1983]

So glad to see Eva Ibbotson mentioned on Mumsnet :) I remember picking 'The Secret of Platform 13' off the shelves in my school library & relishing every page! I love the quirkiness of 'The Beasts of Clawston Castle' & I'd say that one is my all-time favourite - although I also really enjoyed 'The Star of Kazan'. If you haven't read any yet - please do! You're missing a treat :)

[sweir1]

i love The Beasts of Clawstone Castle

[jtl1131]

ive never read any but my children love reading, i think which witch would appeal to my daughter and my lads would love any of the ghost stories

[jellycat]

My ds says his favourite so far has been Monster Mission, because it was very exciting. He also loved The Dragonfly Pool and Journey to the River Sea, and has just started reading The Star of Kazan.

[louiseandtiggs]

They all look good and intend to introduce my nephew to them starting with The Ogre of Oglefoot which will really appeal to him x

[avery64]

Not read any yet but I like the sound of the funny ones to share with my grandson who is a reluctant reader unless it is something that makes him laugh :)

[funkyfish586]

We haven't actually read any of these books but would LOVE too. My son is a horror fan so we would love to try Dial A Ghost :)

[BigGapMum]

I'm not familiar with this author, but the books look great. DS (7) is just the age for starting them soon. He really likes the look of Monster Mission.

[openthecurtains]

Which Witch is our favourite. The combination of magic and mundanity makes the DC laugh. Looking forward to trying more of them.

[BigGapMum]

I'm not familiar with this author, but the books look great. DS (7) is just the age for starting them soon. He really likes the look of Monster Mission.

[Tuiles]

I remember as a child discovering Which Witch? and being utterly entranced by the story with just the right amount of humour, action and peril. I love her inventiveness with names.

I'm surprised that I really don't recall most of her catalogue, but now it has been revealed I can't wait to start sharing it with my kids. Journey to the River Sea sounds like an intriguing tale, I'm sure my DD will love it - and me too.

Also, I'd just like to point out that all your links in the OP just come back to this page, so I had to Google to read a synopsis of some of the books. The reviews on this thread helped though!

[CEOD]

I have only just come across Eva Ibbotson but I would love the lot for my nearly 11-year-old son who is a devourer of books! I would like to start off with "The Secret of Platform 13" though - it sounds intriguing!

[SoniaLeroux21]

My daughter loves Eva Ibbotson's books. Her favourite is The Secret of Platform 13. It is a lovely written book.

[hels71]

Journey to The River Sea is my favourite. It is the book that introduced me to Eva Ibbotson. I was teaching a year 6 class and they were picked to help judge for the Smarties book prize. Every single child loved it and it was the one they picked to do their submission about.

I have since bought it for various nieces and friend's children and I am just waiting for my daughter to be old enough to share it.

I have also read many of her books since enjoying this (despite being an adult!) and think she is one of the best writers about.

[balloon66]

Ive never read any before but I love the sound of 'Dial a ghost'

[halcyondays]

I've only read a few but loved The Abominables and One Dog and his Boy.

[JoCar72]

My favourite book of Eva's is The Secret of Platform 13. I remember reading it when it first came out and telling everyone I knew that she had the idea of the hidden platform tucked away at King's Cross before J.K. Rowling. She's such an adaptive writer and creates such wonderfully rich tales, definately one of the U.K's top autors of recent times.

[justamoment]

We're new to Eva Ibbotson, but it sounds as though her books would be just the sort my older two (8 & 10) would devour. My 8 year old particularly enjoys a funny, so maybe we'll start with the 'Ogre of Oglefort', which sounds like her kind of humour (mildly subversive?) whereas my 10-year-old likes a good mystery or adventure, so perhaps something like 'The Star of Kazan' would attract her interest. Always good to find a new (& especially highly rated) author to introduce & shake things up a bit! Thanks for the recommendations.

[mrsgiraffe]

Both my boys (3 and 6) love Eva's books. We have borrowed them as audio books from the library so they listened to One Dog and His Boy and to The Abominables, both of which were fantastic and much talked about even after they were finished. We're currently listening to Mountwood School for Ghosts which is typically great and I'd love DS1 to have a paper copy that he can read himself in his latest reading den as it's getting harder to tear him away from his bookshelf for meals so it may as be an excellent book, if he's going to let his food go cold!

[alison991]

I haven't read any of them with DS yet, The Company of Swans looks interesting

[alibabble]

ONe Boy and his DOg was my favourite which I have shared with my son, and Which Witch was the favourite I have shared with my daughter, Actually, the Abominables was really good too! Gosh it is hard choosing a favourite! There are plenty I haven;t read, so I look forward to reading some more and fingers crossed to win this competition!

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

Her books are amazing, really, really magical and perfect for kids. I love Dragonfly Pool the best. Great story.

[EMCCRUBB]

I LOVE WHICH WITCH - I LOVED IT AS A CHILD MYSELF AND NOW GET TO ENJOY IT AGAIN WHEN READING IT TO MY BOYS

[schmalex]

Journey to the River Sea is my absolute favourite. Such escapism! It's amazingly vivid and a fabulous adventure.

[UrsulaMumsnet]

This discussion has now closed and winner is evatrelfa! Congratulations - we'll be in touch via PM so check your inbox! Thank you everyone for entering.