Find out what Mumsnetters' children though of The Secret Horses of Briar Hill by Megan Shepherd and illustrated by Levi Pinfold

[UrsulaMumsnet]

Set in the midst of WW2, The Secret Horses of Briar Hill is a novel about the enduring power of storytelling and the imagination, complete with drawings by award-winning illustrator Levi Pinfold.

We ask all winners to share their thoughts about the book on this discussion thread. However, you don't have to win a free copy to take part in the discussion - anyone who has read The Secret Horses of Briar Hill can post their feedback here (and you can buy the book now).

Everyone who posts on this thread before 1 December will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Love2shop voucher.

This giveaway is sponsored by Walker Books

The illustrations are stunning & myself & my daughter really enjoyed it. It actually made me feel quite emotional imagining how terrible it must have been in those times & how a little imagination could whisk you to somewhere completely different. Very beautifully written & I'd recommend it to anyone...

great book

My niece started reading The Secret Horses of Briar Hill yesterday. The cover and illustrations are wonderful and the concept imaginative and heartfelt. It is not a genre I personally would read but did appeal to my niece who is 10 years old.

I thought it was well written as it depicted a true picture. I loved the flow and found it enjoyable to read.

I found it quite emotional but a must read.

very moving story, well written

the idea of magic horses is the dream of most young girls so this is a perfect read

DD is crazy about horses so she loved the illustrations and story. I found it really moving and enjoyable to read.

different to our usual reads, but enjoyed

Not my type of book but it was extremely well written and emotional too

A lovely story full dreams and imagination and a young girls turmoil during the war. I loved the black and White illustrations.....beautifully written and an ending where you can use your imagination to determine what happens to Emmaline.

This book...this book! It does something to you. All the emotions, from joy and true happiness to almost unbearable pain, all of it is so worth it! At war times, sometimes your own fantasy and magical world can be your saviour. And that's exactly what this book is all about. It's a mix of true facts and wonderful fantasy, created by Emmaline, one of the sick children at Briar Hill hospital. Since the war is upon them and dark days lay ahead, they try to find laughter and joy wherever they can. Be it among them, mysterious groundskeeper Thomas or in the winged horses that live in the mirrors and that only a few chosen can see. Aside from being a wonderful story that will make you smile, it's also a story that will make you sad and think about things that truly count in this would. Life's too short and therefore you have to appreciate every second of it.
Read this book, because it will truly touch you!

It is a wonderful story

i would like to win, my friends love it

This is a really beautifully written book, a mix of fact and fantasy. I actually found it quite emotional and really felt Emmaline's emotion.
My eldest DD loved it too.

This is a book that will mean different things to adults and children. A child reading it will find magical winged horses in the mirrors as she sits in hospital suffering from tuberculosis. She's the only one who can see them until she finds one in the garden, injured. This is a very poignant tale of love and loss. A lovely book with a much deeper meaning than is apparent at first.

Bought it and my girl loves it, unfortunately I don't! Was too 'different' for me though the drawings were lovely

Wasn't the best book, my little boy is maybe too young really, he is only 4. However my daughter might enjoy it when she reads it, its more her sort of book. It was well written though and i'm sure lots of youngster will love it

Great read!

great book really kept my interest

An interesting read

I enjoyed the book myself and the illustrations were superb. More for older kids though. My 6 yr old wasn't too keen on it.

a very emotive read, gripping!

A book you can really get immersed in - a jolly good read

An interesting and emotional read! Would recommend it