A deliciously nostalgic and hilariously charming story of four sisters and their adventures/mishaps on holiday - a refreshingly realistic tale.

"A gentle book, with a philosophy of kindness to others and a message that children should confide their troubles to adults, who should always listen" The Sunday Times "Despite a few mishaps, the children become fast friends and partners in the sorts of lively plots and pastoral pastimes we don't read much about these days. Their adventures and near-disasters, innocent crushes, escaped animals, owning-up and growing up (and yes, changes of heart) are satisfying and not-too-sweet" Kirkus Reviews "Birdsall follows in the footsteps of Elizabeth Enright, Edward Eager, and Noel Streatfeild, updating the family story yet keeping all the old-fashioned charm" Booklist "Nicely old-fashioned ... what makes it so engaging are Birdsall's light humorous style and the varied, vivid characters. Great fun and a cosy, comforting read" Books for Keeps

Jeanne Birdsall lives in Massachusetts in the US, with her husband, four cats, a rabbit, a pet snail, and a dog called Cagney. She says 'By the time I was ten or eleven, I'd run out of books to read. Each week I'd go to the library hoping that one of my favourite authors had written something new. Most weeks I'd have to take home books I'd already read, some of them eight, nine, or ten times. I promised myself then that I'd become a writer someday, to give readers like me a few more books to discover and enjoy. The Penderwicks is my first.'