Video Transcript

Imagine waking up one day and realizing your entire village is being replaced… and nobody seems to care.

That’s basically where The Hidden Stories of Crumbly Thickets pulled me in.

At the centre of the story is Petralina, a ten-year-old girl who has one very inconvenient habit — she keeps asking questions. And honestly, that’s what makes her such a great character.

Because while everyone around her seems to accept all these strange changes, Petralina notices them.

The Thickets are disappearing. The local shops are closing.
A huge supermarket called Scrimpers is taking over the village.
And somehow, everyone seems completely fascinated by it.

Then there are these strange turquoise chocolates, and the more Petralina looks into what’s happening, the more she realizes that something is seriously wrong.

What I really enjoyed is that underneath all the quirky characters, strange animals, chocolates and adventures, there’s actually a pretty thoughtful story here.

It’s asking what happens when a community slowly gives up the things that make it itself. The traditions. The stories. The little shops. The places that carry memories.

And Petralina isn’t some fearless superhero who has everything figured out. She’s a kid who gets scared and doesn’t always know what to do — but she keeps wondering.

And sometimes, that’s enough to start seeing what everyone else has stopped noticing.

I think that’s what stayed with me most.

Because this feels like a whimsical children’s adventure on the surface, but underneath, it’s really about community, courage, consumerism, and remembering what actually matters.

And by the end, I wasn’t just thinking about Petralina and her village.
I was thinking about how easily we can lose something important…
especially when everyone around us is telling us that the replacement is better.

✍️Author: Elizabeth J Maier

📚Review: I just finished "The Hidden Stories of Crumbly Thickets" by Elizabeth J Maier, and I’m honestly in love with its whimsical, magical, and heartwarming world. 🥹📚 It reminded me why stories are so special and how imagination can make even the smallest person feel powerful.

Petralina Bland is such a lovely protagonist. When she returns home and discovers that her town is changing, she is pulled into a mystery that is much bigger than she could have imagined. I really admired how she learns to move beyond being the “nice girl” everyone expects her to be and begins finding the courage to stand up for what matters.

The idea that stories hold the world together was absolutely beautiful. It made me think about memories, legends, creativity, and how easily important things can be lost when people stop protecting them. ✨

I also loved the unexpected bakery setting, especially the combination of stories, kindness, and cake. Alec’s rebellious nature adds another interesting layer, and I enjoyed the questions surrounding trust, friendship, and loyalty.

What touched me most was the message that children can make a real difference. Petralina’s journey shows that bravery does not always mean being fearless. Sometimes it means speaking up, trusting your heart, and choosing what is right.

Overall, a charming middle-grade fantasy filled with gentle magic, mystery, friendship, and imagination. A sweet reminder that every story matters. 💕🌈

This novel has been a delight to read.

It is a great children's book, but an even better one for adults who like to think and to learn. The story speaks of good vs. evil, light vs. darkness, truth vs. lies, courage vs. fear, freedom vs. bondage. It is profound with life lessons while still being a fun and entertaining story. There are many adventures throughout and it is NEVER boring! Even though it is a novel, there was much in it that reminded me of real life events, which is probably why the life lessons were so deep with meaning for me. Congratulations to the author! I'm looking forward to reading more from her.

Hestival

Great story , full of imagination . Enjoyed this book .

I only hope she writes more of Petralina , and expands on the character story more .

The humour of the characters leave you wanting more .

Wish I could give it a 5 star+ .