Swifter than Starlight

A Wilder than Midnight Story

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Summary

From celebrated children's author Cerrie Burnell comes a new, wonderfully inclusive, magical tale set in the whimsical world of Wilder than Midnight.

Long ago, on a winter's eve, two sisters walked into a wolf-wild wood but only one returned. . .

The Faraway Wood is full of twisting thorns and sharp teeth. Stirring with myth and music. It's the perfect place for bandits, thieves and secrets to hide.

Until a prince goes missing.

Lilac is a strong girl, happy with her found family, yet searching for her sister.
Clover is a determined girl, eager to find what's been lost to her, though scared to leave her village.
Hester is a smart girl, one step ahead of trouble, and ready for adventure.

Together, they will unite the realm.

Praise for Wilder than Midnight:

'Guaranteed to bring beauty, magic and joy into the hearts of all who read it' - Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs

'Pure fairytale magic with so many twists' - Jasbinder Bilan, author of Asha and the Spirit Bird

'[a] book about love and friendship and driving your own destiny in the face of prejudice. But mostly, it's a story of girls, glorious girls, in all their feisty, feminine brilliance' - Nizrana Farook, author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant

Reviews

Praise for Wilder than Midnight: 'Guaranteed to bring beauty, magic and joy into the hearts of all who read it'
Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs

About the author

Cerrie Burnell

Cerrie Burnell is an author, actor and ambassador. During her time on CBeebies she broke down barriers, challenged stereotypes and overcame discrimination to become one of the most visible presenters on children's TV. She has been listed by the Observer as one of the top ten children's presenters of all time.

Cerrie is the author of thirteen children's books including her first non-fiction title, the award-winning I Am Not a Label; Snowflakes, which she adapted for the stage; as well as the Harper series, which was selected for a World Book Day title.

She also wrote and starred in the play Winged: A Fairytale, as well as creating the one-woman show The Magical Playroom, which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe.

In 2017 Cerrie was awarded an honorary degree for Services to Media from the Open University. She is a patron of Polka Theatre and has been an author-in-residence at Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Since leaving CBeebies in 2017, Cerrie has appeared on television in Doctors and made the eye-opening documentary Silenced: The Hidden Story of Disabled Britain. In 2021 Cerrie joined the BBC's Creative Diversity team as one of their new Disability Ambassadors.

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