Alice with a WHY Return to Wonderland
Anna James, illustrated by Matthew Land
Harper Collins Children’s Books

It’s March 1919 and many years have passed since Alice’s adventures in Wonderland, of which this book is a kind of reimagining. The story follows Alyce, her granddaughter who, while sitting beside a pond, is hit in the face by a strange, smudged invitation that she thinks is meant for her. It’s signed ‘Your old friend’ and three sets of initials. She then falls into the garden pond and finds herself in a very strange world inhabited by the original Wonderland tale her grandmother had once explored. There, she has some weird conversations with the Dormouse, Hare and Hatter.

These eccentrics beg Alyce to search for the Time Being, said to be the only one able to halt the war between the Sun King and the Queen of the Moon. The latter being accused by the King of stealing an hour from her and the resulting celestial battle means that day and night come according to who is currently winning.

Unsure of where she’ll find the Time Being, off Alyce goes, hopeful and determined. Her journey takes her into illogical, ridiculous situations encountering on her way, other of Carroll’s characters and some new ones too.
What will the outcome be? Will Alyce succeed in her mission?

Superbly written with lots of whimsical touches (you’d expect that from Anna James, author of the Pages & Co series) and themes including courage and determination. Making it even more special are Matthew Land’s iconic, wonderfully detailed black and white illustrations that have echoes of John Tenniel.

A delight: both existing fans of the Lewis Carroll original and new readers, will enjoy this cracking book. It would make a smashing class read too.