The Library of Lost Stories
Eloise Williams(Author)
Firefly Press Ltd
Will be published approx. on 3. September 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
240 pages
978-1-917718-34-9 (ISBN)
Description
It's Christmas 1976 in a small town in South Wales, and eleven-year-old Noni and her dad are hiding from the bailiffs, behind the sofa. There's no money left and Noni's dad - who used to fix all the town's broken things seems to be the most broken thing of all.
When Noni meets new friend Rebecca and borrows a library book, she realises that fixing the town's old mobile library might be the thing to bring a spark back to her dad's eyes.
But the library van is stuck on Mrs Williams' driveway and has been since the Aberfan disaster ten years earlier. It is broken down beyond repair. Plus, according to the stories, Mrs Williams is a witch (she has a black cat, and she talks to the birds - so Noni is pretty sure this must be true). If Noni is going to have any hope of fixing the van and her dad, she's going to need some friends to help her.
Together with stray dog Jones, Rebecca, young mechanic Clare and milk delivery boy Gareth, the four friends risk Mrs Williams' wrath and opposition from the town mayor to try and get the library van restarted before the bailiffs come again.
But the town is still healing, and many don't want to see the van return. It's up to Noni and her friends to show everyone that the joy found in stories can bring them all back together.
When Noni meets new friend Rebecca and borrows a library book, she realises that fixing the town's old mobile library might be the thing to bring a spark back to her dad's eyes.
But the library van is stuck on Mrs Williams' driveway and has been since the Aberfan disaster ten years earlier. It is broken down beyond repair. Plus, according to the stories, Mrs Williams is a witch (she has a black cat, and she talks to the birds - so Noni is pretty sure this must be true). If Noni is going to have any hope of fixing the van and her dad, she's going to need some friends to help her.
Together with stray dog Jones, Rebecca, young mechanic Clare and milk delivery boy Gareth, the four friends risk Mrs Williams' wrath and opposition from the town mayor to try and get the library van restarted before the bailiffs come again.
But the town is still healing, and many don't want to see the van return. It's up to Noni and her friends to show everyone that the joy found in stories can bring them all back together.
Reviews / Votes
'An exquisite tale of love, grief, and the power of stories to heal, it sparkles like a perfect jewel.' Matt Brown 'This book really does soar. What a beautiful homage to the Valleys' Nicola Penfold 'A gorgeously joyful read. It snuck deep into my heart and will sneak into yours.' Liz Hyder 'This is a treasure of a book full of beautiful truths and healing broken hearts.' Kate Heap 'It will stay with me for a long time.' Jo Bowers 'Gorgeous writing, authentic characters you want to both cwtch and cheer on, and as usual an amazing animal - Jonesy the dog - who could wish for more?' Rhian Tracey 'Bursting with heart, hope, and the magic of stories - took me back to my own childhood in Wales.' Thomas Taylor 'Eloise always writes beautifully, and I feel like this book just perfectly demonstrates her skill and her love of storytelling. There's so much love in every character and every page. It will stay with me always.' Jennifer KillickMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cardiff
United Kingdom
Target group
Children/juvenile
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 197 mm
Width: 129 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-917718-34-9 (9781917718349)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Eloise Williams grew up in Llantrisant and lives in West Wales, very close to the sea. Having studied drama, she went on to work as an actor for over ten years before studying for a Masters in Creative Writing at Swansea University. She has published five books with Firefly, and was Wales' first Children's Laureate from September 2019 to August 2022.