Thank you, Penguin Random House South Africa, for giving me a proof copy for a review. All opinions are my own.

This is a nice adventure story involving a group of friends who went to the woods. They never expected to find a magical realm beyond the woods.

A magical world is dying slowly due to the rhythm being out of balance caused by pollution. Billy and friends set out to find out what is wrong.

The adventure teaches us that it is okay to have ADHD, how to stand up to bullies, and how pollution can cause nature to go out of balance.

The story is very humorous and will have you laughing with tear filled eyes. Oh, and will make you very hungry with the food being described so viviously. ( )

In a step away from the kitchen, Jamie Oliver has penned the first in what promises to be an enjoyable, new, fantasy series. Something has gone wrong with the rhythm of nature in and around the small, country village of Little Alverton. Could the problems be coming from the nearby Waterfall Woods where terrible events have been rumored to have occurred years ago? No one goes near the woods anymore. But when four intrepid children find the courage to catapult across the border, they discover far more than they could have imagined. Can they make sense of the odd events happening around them and stabilize the rhythm? Oliver has developed a delightful case of characters, both human, and Fae. And his world building is light, airy, and fun. There is plenty to enjoy for a young reader and more than one puzzle to be solved. As this is book one in the series, readers will need to anticipate story lines that remain incomplete at the end of this novel. But it shouldn't be too hard to pick up the subsequent volumes and continue on the adventure with Billy and his friends, old and new! The artwork by Mónica Armiño is a delightful pairing to Oliver's style. And, of course, there are some recipes at the end of the book!
4 stars Thanks to Tundra Books (#ReadTundra) for the review copy granted through the LibraryThing Giveaway program.

Jamie Oliver's love for good food and great recipes shines through in this cute adventure story about Billy and his friends as they try to solve the mystery of what has upset the rhythm of nature. This book would make a great read aloud for kids that enjoy magical fantasy stories and the available audiobook comes with a complete cast. Giants, sprites, and themes of friendship and cooperation support the overarching messages of caring for the Earth, growing and harvesting food responsibly, and helping one another. A lovely feel-good story for younger children with engaging illustrations sprinkled throughout. ( )

I wasn't sure what to expect because I, like most people, only knew Jamie as a chef, but I think he can add successful author to his list. This is a middle grade book, so the type face is a bit big and it has wonderful illustrations throughout. The story should suck in your child (or you!) from the first few chapters and the plot moves quickly. I would say it is suitable for ages 12 plus. I would also recommend it. 4 out of 5 stars.

With a hint of Goonies and a smidgen of Epic, the rhythm of nature meets small town kids, who are out for adventure and fun.

Since Billy moved from London to the small village, he's been exploring every inch of the area with his new group of friends. Except the Waterfall Woods. When a storm creates a hole in the wall, he and his friends sneak in to take a peek and discover a forest full of creatures, which should only exist in fantasy tales. Teaming together with a sprite, Billy takes on a mission to figure out why the rhythm of nature isn't quite right, but this is only the beginning. While a town bully bugs him at every turn,
he's also facing dangerous creatures while plunging into situations, which shouldn't even exist. Even with the help of his friends, it might be more than he can take on.

Imagination soars as Billy and his friends ride the line connecting reality with fantasy. While dealing with the normal problems of school and bullies, Billy also finds himself steering larger predicaments in the fantasy realm. The creatures are packed full of personality and quirks, making each one exciting to meet, whether good or bad. These are vividly described with humor twisted in to keep any of them from growing dark or scary. Meanwhile, Billy and his friends also steer regular life with family, school, and other people in town. It creates a fun balance, which ignites the dreams of possibilities.

The family life surrounding Billy as well as the relationship with his friends is very wholesome and supportive. While he does have to deal with the town bully, these situations come with helpful suggestions from those around him and a very good attitude from Billy. He sticks as much as possible to a non-violent route but never plays the victim. And with a family like his, he has all the security and acceptance he needs.

While sold for the middle grade audience, I'd suggest this one more for the lower end. The text isn't overly difficult and the plot stays light and playful even with the more tense scenes. There is enough character depth to make it draw in but even this stays lighter with intentions toward younger readers. This gentle attitude also slides into the action as the stakes aren't extremely high, the violence always buffered, and the consequences kept minimal. It creates a fun read with a lovely sense of humor and excitement but never grows heavy. This is great for younger readers, but older ones are accustom to and will want more.

The illustrations add atmosphere, are well-done, and are enjoyable to flip through. They help the creatures come to life and add personality to Billy and his friends.

All of this creates a fun, adventurous and light read with action and more.
I received an ARC and found this one to be a fun, humorous and adventurous read. ( )