The Museum of Lost Umbrellas – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Magic, friendship, threat, secrets, village.
Children’s book title: The Museum of Lost Umbrellas.
Children’s author: Marie-Louise Fitzpatrick.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Published by: Faber.
ISBN: 9780571385720.
Recommended for children aged: 9-12 year-olds.
First published: Paperback July 2025.
This children’s book is ideal for: reading aloud and for learning about fantasy and world-building in children’s fiction.
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Our review:
Dilly Kyteler has had a very difficult year; her mum passed away, and, with no one else to take care of her, Dilly was placed with a foster family. Now, though, after a bit of a search, a great aunt she didn’t know existed has been found, and as she lives on a small island off the Cornish coast, Dilly now lives on Ollipest too. There are very few children, but luckily, her aunt’s best friend, Digdee, has her grandson Callum staying for the summer, so things don’t seem quite so bleak. She also has her new companion, Parsley, an Irish Wolfhound, who came bounding out of the sea the day after Dilly arrived and already loves everyone unconditionally.
After very strange things begin to happen following Dilly and Callum’s visit to a new museum opening in Wurmston, specialising in lost umbrellas, they know there is more to the little island than meets the eye. Gradually, it becomes clear that magic abounds on Ollipest, but it is also forbidden to practise it. When a stranger begins whipping up support for the ‘no magic’ movement, insisting he can eliminate it from the island completely, Dilly and her new friends know they have to ensure that never happens. Her Aunt Florence and Callum’s grandma are also aware of what is happening, but are they for or against magic – and, whatever their choice, will Dilly find herself alone once more?
Our verdict:
Dilly has been left alone after the death of her mother, as no one knows who her father is, which has left her unsure about her future. Once she arrives on Ollipest, things begin to improve as she finds friends in a near neighbour’s grandson, Callum; Shelley, the owner of the Museum of Lost Umbrellas; and Nix, who is apparently a teenage boy stuck in the form of a parrot. There is also a recently arrived stranger whose reason for being on the island becomes apparent when the crowd, who have gathered to listen to him, are whipped into a baying mob by his call for the elimination of all those who practise magic. The ease with which this is achieved is clearly described, along with the way the islanders can’t see that they are being manipulated to use their own forbidden magic to facilitate the visitor’s nefarious plan.
As both Dilly and Callum have recently begun to exhibit their own magical skills, they are determined to prevent this from happening. When Shelley is revealed as a teenager in disguise, the four youngsters know they have to work together to save their home. The four unlikely heroes soon discover secret passageways, using magical books and the eponymous umbrellas to get their island back under control, and the way the unpleasant stranger is dealt with is inspired.
The Museum of Lost Umbrellas is the first in a new fantasy series which should appeal to confident, fantasy-loving readers in this age bracket.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- Dilly has had a traumatic year, but her arrival on the island heralds a new start. Why do you think some of the locals weren’t very pleased to see her?
- The author has used an imaginary island in this book. Known as world-building, it gives any writer a blank canvas for their story. What do you think of Ollipest? Would you like to live there?
- Nix is a shape-shifter; what animal would you change into if you could? How would it feel to be stuck that way?
- Aunt Florence and Grandma Digdee have big secrets, and Dilly is worried she will be sent back to the mainland. What clues were there from the start that this wouldn’t happen?
- Tail End Cottage doesn’t sound very appealing, but its appearance charms Dilly straight away. If you had the chance, what would you wish for before entering through the magic door?
- Dilly was delighted to be given the turreted room as her own. In a cross-curricular activity with art, draw your own turreted room. What would you want to have in there to make it your very own?
- If you had a magical umbrella, what handle would you have?
- With everything in the first adventure sorted out, what do you think might happen next for Dilly and her friends?
Many thanks to Faber for the review copy.
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