This is a story about a boy called Frances Bowl, but he preferred to be called Frank.

Frank was a very shy boy, so at recess, he ate and played by himself in the playground. There were a few bullies at this school who called him Fish Bowl and Frank didn’t like that.

One starry night Frank opened his window and whispered, ‘I wish I had a friend.’ And then fell asleep. That night he dreamed of slaying dragons and building white-water rafts so as he could ride down violent rapids and waterfalls. And would you believe he met an imaginary friend called Charles Charlie.

The next morning Frank was very excited and could hardly concentrate on what his teacher was saying. He knew that he was about to have exciting adventures with his new friend. So, when the bell went for recess it didn’t matter that the other kids pushed him to the ground, for all he could see was his ‘playground of adventure’ and his new friend, Charles Charlie, and guess what … Charles Charlie was waiting for him on the top of the Pirate Ship.

This book is a lump in the throat. I’m sure so many of us would understand how easy it is for children to be lonely and for other children to be so cruel. But imagination is a wonderful thing.

Reviewed by Merle Morcom
Age Guide 6+