As well teaching creative writing, Krystina has worked as a hypnotherapist, counsellor and a dream analysist. She travels internationally to tutor in writing workshops as well as privately mentoring new writers of adult and children's fiction. She has a BA in Imaginative Writing and Literature and an MA in Creative Writing. She lives in the UK.
I enjoyed this story very much. It is sweet, yet devious; harmonious, yet deceptive. The friendship between the small kitten and the even smaller mouse is a testament to all the odd relationships animals have formed through the years. When a bully becomes friends with his long time target, or any other odd couple emerges, Mistflower, the Loneliest Mouse is their story. I like that the animals, regardless of their nature (such as a cat to chase a mouse or bird), they come together when needed. Once a year the animals, all of them, gather to celebrate Walpurgis Night. Ghost, a snow-white owl, leads the meeting. For this one night, all creatures are safe as they gather to thank The Great God of all living creatures. This reminded me of WWII, when at Christmas a cease-fire existed for the one day. It also shows that all men can get along, as can all creatures. We only need to try. That may be the gist of the story. The illustrations, at the head of each chapter, foretells the action. The line art, in black and white, are well-drawn, interesting depictions of the characters. Sarah Frances Nash adds unmistakable emotion in the character's eyes, such as Silk, scared when he realizes Longtooth, a badger, is planning to harm him. Mistflower's worry is very apparent while watching over Silk, as he recovers from falling into the icy pond. The illustrations give the eyes a nice break from the text. Boys and girls, and even parents, will enjoy Mistflower, the Loneliest Mouse. The violence is minimal. When Caramel tries to kill Silk the author created wonderful scenes that made me worried, yet encouraged. Nothing will frighten even the youngest child, who I think will want to hear this story more than once. There are chapters, making this a good bedtime story told over several nights or used in a classroom-reading circle. With all the fantasy, dystopian worlds, and other belief suspending stories of late, Mistflower, The Loneliest Mouse returns to storytelling based on characters and relationships that do not require one to suspend anything to understand and enjoy the story. It is a simple, eloquent story and one of the best I have had the pleasure of recommending from debut children's author Krystina Kellingley. Kid Lit Reviews, 03/24/2013
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