Forever Rose

I love Hilary MacKay’s novels abut the Casson family and their friends and I was recently delighted to discover that there was one I hadn’t read. Forever Rose is as enjoyable as the preceding ones in the series.

If you haven’t met the Casson family yet, you’re in for a treat. Mum and Dad are artists – Mum works in a shed in the garden, but Dad lives in London with his girlfriend – and their care for their family – the four children, Caddy (Cadmium), Saffy ( Saffron), Indigo and Rose, all named after paint colours – is scatty and sporadic.

Each book focuses mainly on one of the children and, in a sense, not much happens, but the chaos of family life and relationships with siblings and friends are brilliantly portrayed and the novels are very funny indeed. Hilary McKay has the wonderful gift of being able to write for young readers yet appeal to adults too. She is also wise and warm and covers important themes with a light, sensitive touch.

In Forever Rose, narrated by Rose herself, all the other members of the Casson family are busy doing their own things so Rose is left to her own devices and has quite a lot to worry about: Mum is not at all well, though she won’t admit it; David insists on leaving his drum kit in the house; no one seems to realize that Christmas is nearly here and no shopping has been done; at school the teacher Mr Spencer is so obsessed with SATS he has cancelled Christmas! And Rose agrees to help her friend Molly with a Secret Idea before she finds out what it is…

Once I’d started reading it, I didn’t want to stop. It was entertaining all the way through and the description of Class 1’s nativity play had me laughing out loud.

If you’re new to the series (lucky you!) here are the titles in order:

1. Saffy’s Angel

2. Indigo’s Star

3. Permanent Rose

4. Caddy Ever After

5. Forever Rose

And…I recently found out that Caddy’s World, a prequel to the series, was published last year.

Another treat in store! Yippee!