Wishyouwas - Alexandra Page

Penny Black is staying with her Uncle Frank over the Christmas of 1952 in a smog-filled London whilst her mum is away as a pilot, delivering mail.  With her uncle busy running his post-office, Penny is feeling lonely until she finds a small, furry talking creature in the post office one evening.  The creature, Wishyouwas, is reluctant to tell Penny anything at first, as he doesn't want to give anything away, but then tells Penny that he is called Wishyouwas and is a Sorter, second class.  He and his friends make up a secret underground team of sorters who rescue lost mail deliver undeliverable letters.  However, they have to remain hidden as the Royal Mail's rat catcher, Stanley Scrawl is a huge threat to them.  Can Penny hep to keep the Sorters safe?

From the very beginning, you are plunged into 1950s London and immersed in Penny's life, complete with the thick smog that envelopes the city, making it difficult to see anything more than a few inches in front of you.  The post-office setting and Penny's loneliness, only having her busy uncle for company, is the perfect setting and the introduction of Wishyouwas is incredibly cute!

Wishyouwas is the most adorable creature, with his good manners and his bad grammar, his determination to do the right thing by everyone and his love for what he does, I think everyone will want to reach into the book and take him home for themselves (or what that just me?!).  He compliments Penny perfectly who is incredibly strong and brave; her loneliness is the crux of why she is in the post office at night in the first place: she's missing her mum.  The relationship is a lovely one to read and the trust, loyalty and love that develops between them will warm even the hardest heart.  Stanley Scrawl, on the other hand, is a sinister and creepy character and, along with his dog Ripper, I have to say I was wary from the very first time they appeared on the page.  Stanley made me shiver!

I have to mention how much I love the names that are given to each of the characters, with the subtle references to the world of letters: WishYouWas, Handlewithcare, Withlove and Penny Black, to name a few.  It's these touches that make the book feel special.

This is a truly gorgeous story and one that felt like it was giving you a huge hug as I read it!  Enchanting and full of imagination that will captivate the readers; the action will keep you gripped and although it is set at Christmas, it isn't overtly Christmassy so will be a perfect read at any time of the year.  For my mind, Wishyouwas is destined to become a much-loved classic book that will be read for years to come.