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From the now defunct 11th version of the book, before Hazel Twigg made her entrance. Marlene survived, thank goodness.

What’s tricky to define is Hazel Twigg & the Hollyhock Hideaway‘s intended audience. My answer? EVERYONE.

This is not a short picture book – and I can see why that impression might have been given. There are illustrations, after all. But, nope! It’s a chapter book with beautiful illustrations sprinkled throughout.

The word count (and since I’m still doing a few edits I don’t have the exact one yet) is around 66,000. For comparison:

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone: 77,325

Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe: 36,363

The Hobbit: 95,022

Treasure Island: 66,950

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: 30,644

You get the idea. Not as long as some, longer than others. Several different stories that are woven together. Hollyhock Hideaway is the first in a series of seven books.

I try to be objective when I read it and not, “Does this work?” and “How can I make this better?” but I do think it’s entertaining. And that even if you don’t like old dolls, and even if you aren’t a little girl, you will like this book. And hopefully laugh out loud. And maybe even cry a little (I did when I wrote it).

So, there you go! A few things!

Happy Friday!

P.S. Those elf donuts yesterday. Weren’t they the cutest things? They are CHEERIOS that have been decorated!

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