It’s been 585 days since Stich began living in the castle with his friend Henry and the professor. Actually, it’s been 585 days since Stitch began.

He hasn’t seen the professor (who gave him life) for a while, but he doesn’t like being interrupted when he’s working. When the professor’s nephew named Professor Hardacre comes to stay, life in the castle drastically changes.

Professor Hardacre does things differently than his uncle and Stitch and Henry aren’t keen on him at all. Their professor treated them with respect – seeing them as people in their own right with their own quirks and personalities. Sure, Henry has been locked in his cage for a while, but that’s only because he gets excited easily and then tends to break things.

Professor Hardacre has also brought a young assistant with him. Her name is Alice and she understands Stitch and Henry and that they too have feelings. She is a little different herself, and tries to shield them from the insults her employer throws about.

When Hardacre begins doing his own experiments, Stitch and Henry begin to worry. These experiments seem dangerous and it becomes quite clear that Hardacre believes that Henry somehow needs fixing. Stitch tries to reason with this younger professor, but he refuses to listen.

Stitch has always dreamed of being an explorer, like in the book he was given by the old professor. His maker warned against it, trying to explain that the world beyond the castle is quite different than the one they know in the castle. But soon there is no choice and Stitch, Henry and Alice must flee.

Just as he’d been told, it isn’t long before they are seen by the outside world, and their differences are just too much for strangers. Stitch cannot comprehend what the problem is. Isn’t everyone different in their own way?

What a wonderful story!

I love anything with a Frankenstein flavour and Stitch is definitely that. Sure there are cries of ‘Monster!’ and flames and pitchforks waving in the air, but Stitch and his friends are kind, friendly and very clever in the empathy and understanding department – with no concept of ugly or different.

I really enjoyed the way the author shows how these two creatures obtained their skills, and that their professor had taught Stitch to be a good ‘person’.

Stitch is a great ambassador for acceptance, non judgement and inclusivity within an exciting tale of adventure and discovery.

As Stitch would say – “Everybody is different, and this is what makes the world such a curious and interesting place.”

Author – Pádraig Kenny

Age – 8+

(2024, Walker Books, Frankenstein, Adventure, Humour, Funny, Friendship, Castle, Experiments, Acceptance, Inclusivity, No judgement, Kindness, Empathy, Understanding, Differences, Monster, Lynch mob, Escape, Chase, Courage, Action, Fantasy, Historical, Science)