'Hilary McKay's wittily observed portrayals of family life are full of warmth, vitality and irrepressible good humour.' -- Kate Agnew, The Guardian 'just the sort of crazy family you ache to be a part of.' -- The Good Book Guide 'it's wonderful to have more stories about the engaging and uncommon Casson family!' -- Parents Express '... we are so fond of this fresh, funny, foolish, wise, real family.' -- The Horn Book Magazine '... as wild and endearing as ever ... Another charmer for Casson fans.' -- Booklist '... laced with warmth, humor and adventures' -- Kirkus '... touching and hiarious. Beautifully crafted descriptive language makes this offering a real gem.' -- School Library Journal 'Quirky and endearing' -- Palo Alto Weekly 'McKay has a genius for domestic comedy.' -- The Sunday Times 'Hilary McKay's strength lies in her understanding of young people and her ability to evoke them very simply.' -- The Guardian 'More entrancing stories about the quirky Casson family from a well-regarded novelist.' -- Carousel Eccentric, likable and entirely credible, their domestic exchanges reflect Hilary McKay's exceptional ear for dialogue. -- The Times 20061126 A charming story ... McKay writes with such art. -- The Independent 20061208 'Warm and witty' -- FT magazine 20061208

Hilary McKay won the Guardian Children's Award with her first novel, The Exiles. Her subsequent work has achieved similar recognition - The Exiles at Home won the Smarties Prize and Saffy's Angel won the Whitbread. A graduate of Botany and Zoology from St Andrews University, Hilary now writes full-time. She lives in Derbyshire with her husband and two children.