The Secret Staircase
By Jill Barklem
The Story
Two young mice sneak off to the dusty attics of the Old Oak Palace to rehearse a poem for the Midwinter's Eve celebration, and stumble upon a hidden staircase instead.
Why It's Special
For the kid who always wanders off mid-task to poke around somewhere new, this is the story that says exploring is its own kind of magic.
- Big idea: Curiosity has its own rewards, even when it means wandering off the task at hand.
- Vibes: cozy, hushed, and full of wintery anticipation
Perfect For Kids Who
- enjoy cozy animal worlds with lots of small details
- like to imagine secret passages and hidden rooms
- respond well to gentle, unhurried storytelling
- love seasonal and festive celebrations
Ask Your Little Reader
- Story & problem-solving: What were Primrose and Wilfred supposed to be doing up in the attics?
- Imagination: If you found a secret staircase in your house, where do you think it would lead?
- Real-life connection: Have you ever been supposed to practice something but got distracted by something more interesting?
- Feelings & empathy: How do you think Primrose and Wilfred felt when they found the hidden staircase?
- Story & problem-solving: What do you think the mice will do about their poem now?
