The book came wrapped in brown paper and string addressed to Archibald Pages. But as soon as he touched the strange book he felt unwell, went to lie down, and fell asleep. He can’t be woken up.

The British Underlibrary are doing everything they can to try and figure out what sort of poison felled Tilly’s grandfather but they cannot find anything to help.

It’s only when Milo and his uncle Horatio arrive in their magic train that runs on imagination, that any sense could be made of anything. Horatio wants Tilly to go with them on a quest of his own – but her grandmother and mum refuse. But with Archie lost to them in a ever long slumber, Tilly is willing to do just about anything to wake him up.

When the same fate falls on another, Tilly and Milo put their skills together and search for the one who is said to have an antidote. They are called the Alchemist, but Tilly or Milo has no idea who or what they are.

When they do find the Alchemist, they are nothing like first imagined, but then too terrible to believe. Another joins their quest, with their own agenda in mind. Promises are made, quests are travelled and a truly magical place crumbles, but still Tilly is doing everything to get back to Pages & Co to save her grandad.

This fourth episode in this series brings Milo into the foreground and introduces another character named Alessia. Both have terrible guardians even though they are supposed to be family. Like Tilly, they too have personal quests to complete, and the Sesquipedalian (Quip) magical train is a key part of the adventure.

Learning more about Milo in this episode is an interesting journey, as he knows little about his own past and the accident that killed his parents. Tilly has her favourite book character (Anne of Green Gables) but Milo’s special place is with The Railway Children in their adventures. It’s hard not to feel for Milo in his restricted and life without many kindnesses, and great to see him come into his own.

No.5 in this series promises more adventures with these new characters.

Author – Anna James

Illustrator – Marco Guadalupi

Age – 8+

Find previous books in this exciting series here

(2021, Harper Collins, Series, Friendship, Magic, Adventure, Bullies, Courage, Family, Fantasy, Growing up, Mystery, Secret, Imagination, Story, Books, Book Magic, Bookstore, The Wizard of Oz, Alchemist, Poison, Antidote, Teamwork, Magical Train, Pages and Co)