The Starburster Stories
The Starburster Stories is a bumper book of my magical fantasy adventure series The Starburster, The Humming Machine and The Windspinner. Fairies steal Tam’s baby sister Blue and leave a changeling goblin baby in her place. Only a 9-year old boy can rescue her. He must pass through into Faery and give his most treasured possession to the Fairy King in exchange for her. 7+
Available from Amazon.
Published by RHCP Digital, 2013. Originally published as three separate stories, and later together in one book. Now only available new as an ebook.
The three stories were also individually available as audio CDs, read by me. You may be able to find secondhand copies available.
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“Someone has to take her back to Faery, give her back to the king of the fairies, find Blue and bring her home,” said Great-grandpa Toby.
“I suppose so,” Tam agreed.
“And there’s only you can do it, Tam. My word, you’re a brave boy.”
“Me? But I can’t do that! I’m only nine years old!”
“Exactly. That’s why you have to do it.”
The Starburster was also published in the USA and Vietnam.
‘The Starburster Stories’: Contents
“The Starburster’
It starts on the day Tam’s baby sister Blue is born. He doesn’t like her very much at first, but when Blue is stolen he wants her back more than anything else in the world. And he wants to get rid of the horrible goblin baby that has been left in her place.
Great-Grandpa Toby tells him that only a 9 year old boy can pass through to Faery, so Tam must go alone. He must wear a red cloak and carry a magic sword, and he must take his most treasured possession. That, of course, is his Starburster, a magical kaleidoscope. He must give it to the king, then he must kidnap Blue and leave the changeling baby Pix behind. He returns home, triumphant!
The starburster is a toy that’s a bit like a kaleidoscope, a bit like a telescope. When you look through it you see the world outside cut up into lots of dazzling shapes and sizes. It’s quite magic! I’ve got one, and I loved it so much that I bought one for my son Tim on his wedding day. It was his favourite present.
For magic, excitement and adventure that starts on the very first page, you’ll love this.
Families Magazine
‘The Humming Machine’
Great-Grandpa Toby has a humming machine. The king of the fairies wants it, and whisks Great-Grandpa off to Faery so he can have it. Now Tam has to return to Faery and rescue him, with the help of all the friends he’s made there.
And what is the humming machine? It’s a harmonica, also called a mouth organ. Have you ever played one? You get buzzy teeth and numb lips, but the sound is lovely, like a bee humming.
‘The Windspinner’
Tam has to leave Great-Grandfather Toby in Faery and bring Oban, the King of the Fairies home with him instead! The King turns himself into a little boy and causes havoc in Tam’s school. Tam makes one last trip to Faery on his Windspinner. This time Aunt California is with him, and she doesn’t stand any fairy nonsense!
They rescue Great-Grandpa Toby and bring him home. Everyone is in the right place now, and there they will stay.
A windspinner, in case you haven’t guessed, is a bicycle.
Berlie Doherty seems to treat every tale with a generous helping of TLC and affords each with a warmth that lifts off the page… fun, and oh so charming.
The Liverpool Echo
‘The Starburster Stories’ illustrator
The book is illustrated by Lesley Harker. She also illustrates Pat Thomson’s A first Look At series.
You could write about your favourite toy. Why do you love it, and what is it like? How would you feel if one day you had to give it away to somebody? What if it turns out to be magic? What can it do? Does somebody want to take it from you? What do they do, and what do you do to stop them? Do you want your toy to stay magical, or did you like it better without the magical powers?
If you enjoyed reading ‘The Starburster Stories’…
Other magical adventure books you might enjoy: Tilly Mint Tales, The Three Princes, Blue John, and for older readers, Spellhorn.
A great read.
The School Librarian
Compelling and exciting.
Junior Bookshelf