The Primrose Railway Children: Jacqueline Wilson

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Jacqueline Wilson wrote her first novel when she was nine years old, and she has been writing ever since. She is now one of Britain's bestselling and most beloved children's authors. She has written over 100 books and is the creator of characters such as Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather. More than forty million copies of her books have been sold.

Then there’s the Old Gentleman the children wave to on the train. It’s as if he’s a genial version of the Psammead, able to grant wishes. He bobs up whenever there is a problem in the plot. Mother is very ill – so the Old Gentleman provides a huge hamper of delicacies. The Old Gentleman finds a lost Russian Exile’s family. The Old ­Gentleman turns out to be the grandfather of the very schoolboy whom Mother is nursing. The Old Gentleman even investigates Father’s case and manages to prove he’s totally innocent.The must-have new Victorian novel from bestselling, much-loved children's author, Jacqueline Wilson. Erin loved reading this with me over the last week or so, and it was a great book to share and enjoy together; with a wonderful ending and a huge dose of nostalgia for me too! With dad mysteriously gone, the void this leaves can be sorely felt through the family, but none more so than Phoebe. The intensity of the bond between her and her dad can be keenly felt. There's the whole worry that he may be dead, but they don't really know if he is dead or alive and readers see the children process this between their humour and their seriousness in conversations and behaviours. Four Kids and It stars Paula Patton, Matthew Goode and Russell Brand: ‘There is life after divorce. And it can be complicated’ But Phoebe still misses her dad. He had been a minor celebrity and she convinces herself that he is away filming a new TV show. While her mum doesn’t confirm this, she doesn’t deny it either.

Guinea pigs should not live outside all year round and should be supervised when in an outside run.

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The new book, The Primrose Railway Children, will be published by Puffin in September, with illustrations by Rachael Dean, who Dame Jacqueline said will “add an extra magical touch to the story”. In spite of her adult lifestyle, I feel she remained a child at heart, inventing endless jolly games and having the odd tantrum. She wanted to be known in literary circles for her poetry and wrote adult novels – but her talent sparked supreme in her children’s books. I first read The Railway Children when I was eight. It’s a compelling story about a comfortably middle-class Edwardian family whose circumstances change dramatically. Father is sent to prison, so Mother takes the three children to a remote country cottage where they live in poverty. There’s a nearby railway where the children play and have various adventures.I absolutely loved E Nesbit’s book and took it out of the library many times. Struggling to feel at home and missing her Dad terribly, Phoebe's only distraction is her guinea pig Daisy. Until the family discover the thrilling steam trains at the railway station and suddenly, every day is filled with adventure.

After a few years, my editor Kelly Hurst asked if I’d fancy reimagining another Nesbit, and suggested The Railway Children. It was an ­attractive idea, but I couldn’t see why modern children would become so passionate about their local railway station. There was also the question of safety – we become justifiably anxious now if we spot children larking about near a railway line. When Mum takes Phoebe and her siblings out of school and relocates them to a dilapidated cottage in the middle of nowhere, her confusion grows. But things look brighter after Mum explains that Dad is on a secret assignment for a television company.

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This story outlines a lot of struggles that children face whilst growing up, especially in the modern world and it showcased ways in which children adapt and learn to cope with difficult environments. It also highlights the importance of learning that your parents aren't perfect, a hard lesson to learn indeed. Then I suddenly thought of a vintage steam railway – and everything slotted into place. There’s even the magical vintage Bluebell Railway not too far away from where I live, so I could do some very jolly research. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed writing a book as much as The Primrose Railway Children. Illustration from The Primrose Railway Children by Jacqueline Wilson (Image: Rachael Dean)