Mary Murphy's eagerly-awaited first novel is out now. A Sarah Odedina Book from Pushkin Children's designed by Jet Purdie, The Minute Minders is written and illustrated by Mary Murphy.
"The world that Murphy creates is captivating. The Minute Minders is a treat for all ages." â Patricia Forde, Laureate na nĂg
"A fresh take on the 'tiny person' theme with a beautiful empathetic message!" â Harriet Muncaster, author of the Isadora Moon series
âThe Minute Minders by Mary Murphy is a funny, sweet fantasy adventure about fidders, tiny people who help humans. Illustrated by Murphy throughout, itâs perfect for age 8+. (Or to read aloud to 7+)â â Sarah Webb
"A book with heart and humour and a bit of jeopardy, served up with a light touch and a wink." â A.F. Harrold
"A timeless classic in the making and so full of heart." â NetGalley reviewer
"A delightful tale full of many messages and themes which would lend itself to being a class story time book. I can't wait to buy my own copy to share with my class as I'm certain they'll enjoy it as much as I did." â NetGalley reviewer
"Now that I have finished this book, I am not just going to leave it on the shelf but will keep reading it over and over again." â Books Up North review by Emaan, aged 7
"âThe Minute Mindersâ is a completely captivating, thoroughly enjoyable read, full of warmth and humour ... Stevie is a wonderful character ⌠Her relationship with her father is beautifully captured ⌠Mary Murphyâs world building is brilliant."
â Through the Bookshelf
"Mary Murphy's first chapter book for older readers is a delightful story ... Readers will be transported into a magical world that closely resembles ours ... Highlighting the importance of friendship, this story shows how a little bit of kindness and care can go a long way and how the actions we take, even if just for a minute, can make a world of difference." â Inis Magazine (Children's Books Ireland) review by Elanur Eroglu Williams
"The Minute Minders is a wonderful middle-grade debut novel. A heartwarming and captivating story which is full of adventure, fantasy and empathy. I love the hidden messages throughout about never giving up which will not only support younger readers but educate them as well ... about checking in on people, supporting them and making small changes to improve our mental-wellbeing which is something we could all do with doing even from a young age. The illustrations are just stunning and really help to bring this fabulous story to life. ... The Minute Minders is a perfect book for upper primary libraries and classrooms and is a great match for fans of books by Cressida Cowell, RJ Palacio and Andy Shepherd." â Emma Suffield, Waterstones Senior Bookseller and SLA 2018 School Librarian of the Year
"With soft pencil illustrations throughout, Murphyâs first longer book for older readers has the cosy feel of a new classic." â The Irish Examiner
"The Minute Minders, a richly imaginative tale from Mary Murphy, takes the âlittle personâ framework and imbues it with new life. ... Some childrenâs books prove especially hard acts to follow. Any story about tiny people secretly interacting with human beings, for example, is fated to draw comparisons with Mary Nortonâs beloved series The Borrowers (1952) ... The Minute Minders, an enchanting debut novel by Mary Murphy, is also about tiny people â and it is to Murphyâs great credit that it doesnât feel borrowed at all." â The Telegraph; review by Emily Bearn, 17th January 2024
"The Minute Minders solve all kinds of human problems in just one minute per person per day ... told through Stevie's frank and funny voice." â The Week Junior; Book of the Week review, 27th January 2024
"In the tradition of Borrowers, Minpins and flits, fidders are tiny people who live alongside humans. But fidders are there expressly to help, putting thoughts into heads to nudge people in directions that will make them happy, fulfil their dreams, save their lives. They can also communicate with cats and dogs, and they have various jobs: some reveal truth, some inspire creativity, and âminute mindersâ have one minute to solve problems. Stevie is a ten-year-old fidder who lives with her dad, and gets him into trouble by breaking the rules of interactions with humans, which leads to tasks on which their livelihood and dream holiday depend. These include helping two lonely children to find each other and deal with a bully. This delightful book has empathy, sweet pictures, a virtuoso meta ending, and a good deal of wise advice." â The Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week review by Nicolette Jones, 28th January