Waterstone's Teddington invite children's author Karen Inglis to the Teddington Lights Up Event!

In addition to all the other events around the town on Thursday afternoon and evening, children's author Karen Inglis will be chatting and signing her children's book The Secret Lake in Waterstone's Teddington from 5pm - 730pm. Exciting times for 8-11 year old Teddington children!

A magical 'time slip' mystery inspired by the Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park, tells the story of Stella and Tom, who when trying to find their elderly neighbour's missing dog, discover a tunnel and lake that take them back in time to their home and its communal gardens 100 years in the past. Here they meet the Edwardian children living there and are soon embroiled in a daring plan to rescue a young boy who is in trouble. As the story unfolds, the children uncover startling connections between the past and present.

Karen said: 

"The story was inspired when some friends moved into a ground/first floor apartment that backs on to one of the communal gardens close to Notting Hill – the atmosphere there was so magical for the children that I couldn't help wondering what it had been like for the children who lived there 100 years before…and what would happen if the children from the present day gardens met them. The 'secret lake' element was directly inspired by the Still Pond up at Isabella Plantation in Richmond Park when all of the Azaleas are out in May. We took our boys there when they were young and they loved it because of the freedom to run around safely and hide in bushes and behind trees! I think Isabella has the same magical atmosphere for children as the gardens in Notting Hill." 

The Secret Lake has received a raft of five-star reviews from children and adults alike, including from the ex Head Reader at Puffin. Children can leave reviews on the book's website and Karen will reply! 

Karen left a copy of The Secret Lake on a log close to Still Pond as part of The Guardian & Observer Bookswap in September.

Karen, who lives in Barnes, will be back over in Teddington for an author reading event and a further book signing on Sunday 4th Dec from 2pm-4pm. 

It's probably a good idea to arrive early and then you'll be in the front of the queue!