This children's story for readers aged 9-12 is doing many things, and all rather well! There's nature, magic, mystery, folklore, birdwatching, adventure, ghosts and it's a bit of a thriller!

It's no surprise, then, that it's included on the shortlist for the 2026 Wainwright Prize for nature writing.

Pip lives with his mum in a cottage on wetlands. He loves being out in the countryside, among the birds and wildlife. He doesn't get on so well at school.

Every winter he looks forward to seeing the Arctic swans flying in from Siberia in their annual migration. His mum is tasked with recording them all, and Pip has become well equipped in helping her, knowing each swan's unique markings. 

This year though the swans haven't appeared and there's a sense of foreboding, that something isn't as it should be. Feeling someone's watching him, Pip soon discovers that there are sinister forces at work. Is it something supernatural, or more worldly? There are fears of ghostly goings on, and then the possible manifestation of an ancient curse.

It's a rather beautiful book which draws the reader in and along with every twist and turn, every element of the various facets of its story. It's full of eery atmosphere of short, cold, dark days of winter and the joy of friendship. The author adds a note at the end acknowledging her inspiration in an Irish folk story.