The Diary of Wiska Wildflower: The Crystal Cave
Harriet Muncaster
Oxford Children’s Books

This second story of the totally adorable Wiska Wildflower sees her on her first school expedition. The three day trip is part of their Nature Studies and they will, as the letter informs carers, be learning about the rich variety of flora and fauna on Wiskling Mountain. During this time the students will have to read a map, make their own camp and find and cook their own food.
Wiska is paired with Citrine who is passionate about baking and hopes to be a famous baker one day. She thinks the Wiskling Mountain field trip offers the ideal opportunity to find a starflower, a rare plant with petals that only open at night (the time the students are meant to be asleep in their tents not going off to the reputedly dangerous Rocky Ledge). As readers can guess Citrine wants Wiska to go with her and reluctantly she agrees.

Some time after 11pm the two set off on their blooms towards Rocky Ledge but there’s a rainstorm and they land really close to the edge. Straightway Wiska wants to return to camp but lightning strikes make her feel even more scared and with Citrine refusing to go, her friend has no choice but to stay, follow her to the Starflower and get the sugar crystals from its petals for Citrine’s baking.

Disaster strikes; Citrine trips and hurts her ankle. Two hours away from the camp in a raging storm, Wiska realises she must get help. Eventually she finds her way to the Crystal Cave where a bearded wiskling named Albert is enlisted to help. They find Citrine after considerable difficulty and take her back to the warmth of the cave. After a while Wiska and Citrine have a serious talk; then Albert takes them to see more of the cave’s interior.

An amazing night ensues but what happens and whether Wiska and Citrine remain friends, readers must discover by getting their own copy of this gorgeously illustrated, magical book.