At the End of Holyrood Lane

Flick is just like any other youngster. She loves to chase butterflies and jump in autumn leaves.

But life at the end of Holyrood Lane is often violent and unpredictable due to the constant storms that plague her home, causing her to cringe with dread and flee whenever they strike. Flick tries her best to quell her fears and endure the storms’ persistent wrath until, one day, with nowhere left to hide Flick summons the courage to face her fears by asking for help to overcome them.

At the End of Holyrood Lane provides a sensitive glimpse into one aspect of domestic violence and how it can affect young lives. Designed to be visually arresting, emotionally incisive, and ultimately uplifting, it is a tale of anxiety shown through the eyes of a small child with an intense dislike for thunderstorms — a fear shared by many young children. This clever duality of meaning is able to evoke a gentle awareness for young readers who may be suffering their own domestic torment but who are too scared or unsure of how to seek help and shelter from their own storms, whatever their nature.

This is the second book by the acclaimed author–illustrator team of Dimity Powell and Nicky Johnston, who specialise in handling difficult subjects with sensitivity and hope.

Dimity Powell is a writer of children’s stories and a reviewer of books, and also acts as a Books in Homes role model.

Nicky Johnston is an educator, speaker and author/illustrator. She is passionate about promoting emotional resilience in children and raising awareness of mental health issues.