Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers' Favorite

Twins Ollie and Lily are stranded at Great-Uncle Alfred’s house along with their mother, Stella, at Great Hawkesden Manor during Christmas in The Secret of Pooks Wood by Helen Laycock. The twins find a snow globe outside the house and inside the globe is a miniature model of Great Hawkesden Manor, sitting in the middle of a glitter blizzard. Stella decides to revisit some of the older parts of the manor where she used to play with Squirt as a child. She goes to the second staircase which leads to the attic door. As she peers through the keyhole, she thinks she sees the reflection of a girl in a long blue crinoline dress, white-faced and with dripping hair, in the mirror. The children always wonder why their mother does not let them play alone. That night, after tucking the twins in, Stella picks up the snow globe and she finds herself looking back. As the story progresses, readers are taken through myriad emotions and happenings that make this storybook magical and exciting.

It is a story about family love and the concept of time travel in the plot gives a whimsical effect. The story is enchanting and engrossing as it captures the essence and warmth of the holiday season. I like the way in which the author weaves the stories of Stella and her childhood together with that of the twins and speaks about their entwined destinies, the magic of the holiday season, and family love. The descriptive narration makes the scenes and moments in the story vivid and alive to young readers. It is a good storybook for children of all ages and the old world charm and adventure make it an enjoyable read.