Gramps has moved into the Twilight Retirement Home, and his grandson visits him after school every Wednesday. They’ll have a drink, tea and juice, and a biscuit or two as they chat about their day, school or what’s been happening in their lives.

Sooner than later, Gramps will tell a story about his youth. His grandson isn’t sure whether to believe his tales about being a deep sea diver or a death-defying motorcycle stunt man, but his life as a famous magician is by far the most intriguing.

Gramps was known as The Astounding Alfredo, and using his most important rule for being a successful magician – practice, he wowed everyone who came to his magical shows.

His best trick was called The Mysterious Bird of Mystery, which involved a dove named Montgomery. This dove became very jealous of all the attention The Astounding Alfredo was getting and the benefits he was enjoying, and one night everything goes terribly, terribly wrong.

Meanwhile, another magician named The Incomparable Marvin had become a better magician over time with Alfredo’s kind advice, and had his own mind-bending event.

These two happenings become the most amazing tale of all by Gramps, leaving his grandson filled with awe. And just a little suspicion….

Stories of grandparent’s lives can be embarrassing, repetitive or even boring, but the grandfather in this novel has very exciting stories to share. At first they seem to be a little far-fetched then even impossible for the listener (or reader), but the retelling is too good to ignore or put down.

The animator on The Corpse Bride and Coraline, author Antony Elworthy brings a fantastical and magical tale by an elderly man to life – thrilling his grandson and the reader. The stakes within the tale grow exponentially, as does the scepticism for reader and grandson character, but as in great middle grade reads, we are left with a seed of doubt unable to be ignored.

Black and white illustrations by the author add more whimsy and fun to this absorbing read, and fans of Roald Dahl, Isaac Thackray, and Greg James/Chris Smith will definitely enjoy The Strange and Unlikely Tale of Montgomery the Mysterious Bird of Mystery.

Author / Illustrator – Antony Elworthy

Age – 8+

(2024, Walker Books, NZ Author, Aotearoa New Zealand, Animator, Family, Humour, Dove, Bird, Magic Tricks, Grandfather, Gramps, Stories, Magician, True or False, Rivalry, Famous, Fame, Envy, Mystery)