
The Minute Minders
by Mary Murphy
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Pub Date 3 Feb 2026 | Archive Date 17 Jan 2024
Pushkin Press | Pushkin Children's Books
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Description
This charmingly llustrated magical fantasy book for kids ages 7-11 offers important social emotional learning tools and an easy transition to chapter books.
Stevie and her dad are minute minders – tiny little beings who get involved with humans, and animals, with the intention of being helpful. For example when someone is struggling with a decision, a minute minder can help them make the right choice, when a dog can’t stop barking, a minute minder can get involved to work out what is wrong. But Stevie and her dad are new to the job. Stevie is doing her best to learn the rules and regulations and her dad seems intent on taking too many chances. And all the time there is a little girl who is struggling at home and a boy that is dealing with unwanted attention from the classroom bully and time is running out to help mend bridges and bring friends back together again.
A delightful fantasy adventure about the power of empathy and understanding the importance of kindness and guiding values to find their way in life. Perfectly complemented by lively illustrations throughout that make this book a perfect entry level read for 7-11 year olds.
Available Editions
EDITION | Other Format |
ISBN | 9781782694229 |
PRICE | US$13.95 (USD) |
PAGES | 320 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews

Suitable for readers in KS1 this is a charming story about the tiny fidders who invisibly help humans. A timeless classic in the making and so full of heart.

This is a very enjoyable book set in an imaginary world. The main character is a girl called Stevie and she is a fidder (the word is very close to fibber, which gives a poor connotation but these fidders and all very honest). The fidders can't be seen by humans, but they try to help lots of different people. Stevie means well, but does get herself in bother sometimes. There were plenty of events in the story that I didn't predict (and one or two that I thought might happen). The book tackles themes including a single parent family, looked after child (kinship care), bullying and the importance of kindness. I read it in one afternoon - it's engaging from the very start, and I wanted to read on and find out what happens. As a teacher, it would be a really nice story to read to a class of children, perhaps around 8 or 9, and there are lots of themes to talk about. But most importantly, it's a story that draws you in, it's gentle, but there is humour and excitement too. I can recommend this book.
Thank you to Net Galley for a free early copy to review.
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