Something Special (40th anniversary edition)

Sam’s mother has been busy organising second-hand clothes for a stall at the school fete. The spare room is filled to the brim with clothing. Some are carefully hung on racks. These, Sam’s mother tells her, are Special. As Sam sits in a comfy chair, watching as the sunlight shines upon the racks of velvet and lace, something strange happens and soon Sam is discovering just how Special some of the clothing really is.

It was an absolute pleasure to return to this beautiful story. Something Special was my first book by Emily Rodda and I’m lucky enough to own a signed and personalised copy. Rodda has captured the magic and imagination of a young girl discovering how every item of clothing tells a story. How every dress, every pair of shoes, every well-worn dressing gown can hold such meaning and can be someone’s something special.

This is an absolute classic that will have the reader dreaming of dancing in a red dress and silver shoes, just like I did as a little girl, and still do. I hope everyone can discover how Special this book is. For ages 10+.