As a newborn, Edith was gifted two things from the fairies: the power to animate objects, and eternal youth. By the time her 100th birthday rolls around, Edith, who stopped growing at age seven, is bored and lonely. In need of a friend, Edith brings a lemon to life, names it Squirt, and along with her dog pal Bolster, forms an oddball crew and embarks on an adventure.

This is a fairytale of sorts; it’s hilarious and philosophical. Some objects become quite unhinged when animated; I was in tears laughing when the grandfather clock, named Old Father Chimes, threw a tantrum, and again when an old boat started running around on little legs and yelling. Gecko Press is known for publishing extraordinary junior fiction and this new book certainly delivers. Edith has been translated from French, and readers may be familiar with Catharina Valckx as the author of Zanzibar and Bruno, among others. Lively illustrations make this a great read-aloud, and highly recommended for anyone aged 5+.