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44 Tiny Secrets

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Book Synopsis

The first book in a heartwarming and timeless new series with a brave and spirited heroine, from the acclaimed duo behind THE BOOKSHOP GIRL .
Betsy Bow-Linnet is determined to become a world famous concert pianist like her parents. There’s just one problem: no matter how hard she practises she doesn’t share their musical talents. So when a mysterious letter arrives from a woman claiming to know of an unusual Method that will make Betsy’s playing ‘stupendous’, Betsy jumps at the chance. There’s just one condition: she must keep the Method a secret.
But it isn’t just one secret – it’s forty-four tiny secrets in the shape of a boxful of pygmy mice! Betsy is mystified – how are they going to help her play the piano and – more importantly – how on earth can she keep them all a secret?
Gorgeously illustrated in two-colour, this is a warm, funny and pitch-perfect story about the true nature of family love and finding your real talents in the most unexpected of places. Perfect for fans of ISADORA MOON, AMELIA FANG, OTTOLINE and HARPER.

Our Review Panel says...

Betsy Bow-Linnet comes from a family of pianists. Her mum and dad are world-renowned; her grandad was a famous pianist in his day, and her grandma was the only one who did not play the piano. Sadly, Betsy doesn’t appear to have inherited their talent. One week, while her parents are away she practises and practises Chopin’s Mazurka and is able to play it note perfectly at a party they host on their return.

When the newspaper gossip column the following day calls Betsy’s playing a tragedy, because of her lack of emotion, it comes as a bit of a shock. Then she receives a letter, which tells her that she could play perfectly with a proven method, but she has to keep it a secret. The next day the 44 tiny secrets that can help her are revealed – and help her they do. But can she keep it a secret when others hear her playing in her room?

This was a wonderful book that could be used to introduce children to some of the delights of classical music. They could be introduced to a number of composers, particularly Beethoven and Chopin who are mentioned in the story. It could also be used as an introduction to the piano, with simple diagrams of how they work and the notes of the scale mentioned frequently. The story could also be used to explore themes of keeping secrets in PSHE lessons and the feelings this could bring as this is a key theme in the book.