The wizard in my shed: the misadventures of Merdyn the Wild by Simon Farnaby

Hodder & Stroughton, 2020. ISBN: 9781444954388. 323p.
(Age: 10+) Recommended. Merdyn the Wild was the world's greatest Warlock in the 6th Century before the showdown of Chapter One wherein his nemesis Jerabo discredits Merdyn in King Paul's eyes, before casting Merdyn into the rivers of time as punishment. Will Merdyn ever see Princess Evanhart again?
Meanwhile in the 21st Century, Rose doesn't fit in at school and is harangued afresh by a group of bullies after auditioning for the school Talent Show. Suzy, her mum, is still grieving the loss of Rose's father who was always the one to assure Rose that she would develop one exceptional talent. Rose had hoped it was singing, which makes it easier to aid and abet a crazed magician who promises to give Rose the singing spell to fulfil her destiny.
Merdyn is like a fish out of water and causes havoc at every turn. The fun begins when the broken but hospitable family realizes that Jerabo has followed Merdyn through time, to finish him off, crown his own descendent as king of the world, before returning to the Dark Ages to marry Princess Evanhart and murder the King. Along the way, Merdyn's down to earth logic changes Kris (Rose's brother), Suzi, Rose and all her friends and neighbours more than the spectacular magical spells.
One couldn't be blamed for misjudging this book as frivolous fare with Claire Powell's cover design and illustrations reminiscent of a feature animation. The Warlock's name seems a spin off of Merlin, history's most famous fictional wizard. Lastly, we have watched a wise but ditzy medieval wizard in the 1970's television sitcom, Catweazle. But Simon Farnaby is no lightweight author claiming his inspiration came from all children's books and films where children encounter magical creatures.
Farnaby's characters and what happens to them is thoroughly believable despite the impossibility of spells, talking guinea pigs and time travel. In addition to the embossed neon cover, over 300 pages is bursting with publishing gems to flesh out the reader's total experience. Bold fonts emphasise the really awesome stuff. Footnotes explain the meanings of Olde English insults and phrases. Chapters end with rhyming teasers before appending a guide to grasses to highlight natures magic and function can be seen in a blade of grass.
Farnaby's unpredictable narrative entertains and educates through epic events bisected by myriad themes of identity, grief, self-confidence, power, faith, friendship, nature, history, belief and more. Readers of all ages will look forward to future titles in the series and the inevitable movie version. Meaty enough for read-aloud and study, we can but hope Simon Farnaby keeps writing and gives up acting! (Horrible Histories and The Dectectorists) Themes: Fantasy, Magic.
Deborah Robins