Blackberry Blue

Gavin’s six stories are spooky, engaging and refreshing in their originality. Complemented by Richard Collingridge’s atmospheric illustrations, this lovely book deserves to become a classic.

Marilyn Brocklehurst, Bookseller

All the traditional elements of fairy tales are here, making this storytelling at its best.

Vanessa Lewis, Bookseller

Absolutely gorgeous . . . Perfect for sharing and for reading alone, I can't recommend Blackberry Blue and Other Fairy Tales highly enough.

The Bookbag

The collection of stories were fantastic. There are six altogether and I would have problems picking out my favourite to be honest, I loved them all.

readaraptor.co.uk

These joyful stories are a delight.

The Times

Beautifully told, magical, dark and mysterious in the best fairytale tradition . . . these are exactly the stories a 21st century classroom needs. The stories will be a joy to read aloud but the beautiful illustrations by the talented Richard Collingridge are crying out to be appreciated by an individual reader tucked away in a classroom book corner.

ReadingZone

I fell in love with it . . . an important, essential, beautiful collection of stories.

thebooksmugglers.com

Blackberry Blue and Other Fairytales is a beautifully written collection of stories that belongs on pretty much everybody's bookshelf. The descriptions that the author gives of these wonderful worlds are just magical and it is so easy to lose yourself in those words. Even though the stories are fairly short I fell deeply into the world created by the author every time and ended up feeling disappointed at the end of each story because I didn't want it to end . . . These stories are beautiful and magical and are perfect for older children and grown-ups alike.

onceuponaseries.blogspot.co.uk

The quality of the stories is second to none and adults will enjoy reading them with their children just as much as the kids themselves. A real winner, and should be up for several literary prizes

Books Monthly

The talented Jamila Gavin is an author to watch and these refreshingly original and exciting stories are guaranteed to enchant children of every age.

Lancashire Evening Post

Love, sacrifice and endurance are foregrounded in these timeless-feeling tales, delivered in language as sharp and sweet as the ripe fruit of the title. An instant classic, subtly enriched by Richard Collingridge's delicate, shadowy illustrations.

Metro

Jamila Gavin is one of our most consistently good writers of fiction for children young and old […] the feel is timeless, but the stories are all original, touched with the magic of Gavin’s vibrant and varied imagination.

Independent on Sunday

Six enchanting examples in the best tradition of storytelling . . . A treat for the nines-plus.

Newbury Weekly News

An extraordinary and charming read for any young girl or boy.

Formby Books

It is the storytelling and the language that gives the collection the power to entrance; to be drawn into the spell of the story . . . I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the reading.

Teaching English Magazine

A stunning collection of mystical fairy tales, Blackberry Blue is packed with picturesque moments that will bewitch readers

Booktrust