Before joining Bookshelfie, I admit I never really read children’s books. But over the past year I’ve grown to love them and the escape they provide, and I’ve come to appreciate that it takes real skill to write a children’s book. It’s not so much about crafting a complicated plot, but about the art of telling a story that kids will remember and cherish. There’s a special kind of magic in creating something that captures a child’s imagination while also teaching them valuable lessons about the world, and today I’m reviewing Flintessa Flammabelle and the Glowroot Grove, a book by C. P Smith and J. C Mitchell that succeeds admirably at that.
Flintessa Flammabelle and the Glowroot Grove is set in Smolderhollow, a charming town full of imaginative creatures where pretty much everything is fire-related. There are living kindlings, glowhopper bugs, and it always smells of cinnamon and firepits. The world-building here is exceptionally done—every element feels purposeful and like it had thought put behind it. When young Flintessa catches murmurings about a mysterious place called the Glowroot Grove, a name she’s never heard before, her curiosity is immediately sparked. She asks her mother about it and determines to uncover its secrets, setting the stage for an adventure that will change how she sees her world and the people in it.
I really love the fire-based world the authors have created here. It reminds me of Pixar’s Elemental, with its creative take on elemental beings living in their own unique environment, or something you might find in The Legend of Zelda or Pikmin franchises. The fire-themed ecosystem is so creative and well thought out, from the way the characters interact with their environment to the small details that make Smolderhollow feel like a real place. It would be interesting to see if the writers could come up with an ice forest for a sequel or explore other elemental realms. The possibilities feel endless, and I can imagine young readers getting excited about what other magical places might exist beyond Smolderhollow.
Our hero, Flintessa’s unlikely partner in this adventure is Coalbert, her neighbour who isn’t like other fire fairies. He’s different, almost strange. His hair doesn’t change colour, his wings don’t shimmer, and no part of him glows. Instead, he has hair as dark as night and wings like charcoal. Flintessa isn’t thrilled about teaming up with him, but together they set off on their quest anyway. The dynamic between these two characters is great, and this is where the book’s beautiful message shines through about accepting others’ differences. Through Flintessa and Coalbert’s journey, young readers learn that being different isn’t something to fear or avoid, but something that can make beautiful friendships.
The illustrations throughout the chapters, created by J.C. Mitchell, are fun and well done, perfectly fitting the tone of the story. While it would have been wonderful to see them in colour, I imagine that would significantly increase printing costs. There are delightful details everywhere, like the paragraph breaks marked by three fire symbols, showing real attention to detail and care in the book’s design, and the map included at the start. Fun fact: according to the author bio, although right-handed, Mitchell drew half of the illustrations with her left hand while she was happily nap-trapped by her sleeping baby. When Flintessa and Coalbert finally reach the Glowroot Grove, the illustration is super cute, filled with adorable animals that bring the place to life. Kids who like fairies or bugs will especially love this book, and the combination of magical creatures and the natural world.
All the characters are likeable and children will easily relate to them, which is always important in children’s literature. This is the type of book with pretty much no sensitive content for children—anyone can enjoy it (unless they’re afraid of fire, or there is one scene with a spider, I guess). There’s no violence, no genuinely scary moments that would give young readers nightmares, just a wholesome adventure with heart. I don’t have kids myself, but I’d say this book is probably perfect for five to ten-year-olds. The language may be a bit complex for toddlers, but it’s just right for early readers who are ready for a real adventure with more substantial vocabulary and longer chapters. It’s the kind of book that could work well as a bedtime read-aloud for younger children or as an independent read for older elementary students. My only criticisms would be, again, the lack of color and it ends slightly suddenly as soon as they reach the grove, but there is a chapter of the next book included to make up for that.
And yes, there is indeed already a sequel announced called The Wilting Wildflower. If the first book is any indication, the sequel will continue to expand this magical world and introduce new challenges for Flintessa and her friends. Overall, this is a really well-done children’s book that clearly the authors put a lot of love into. The pacing is solid, the characters are engaging, the world is imaginative, and the message is meaningful. It could easily have been traditionally published by a major children’s publishing house.
Final verdict: If you’re looking for a quality children’s book with heart, imagination, and beautiful illustrations, Flintessa Flammabelle and the Glowroot Grove is absolutely worth adding to your shelf. It’s the kind of book that children will want to read again and again, and that parents won’t mind reading aloud multiple times.
You can preorder “Flintessa Flammabelle and the Glowroot Grove” here. The book is out November 1st!
