Yes, yes this is a children’s book and I am 47 years old but a good book is a good book, OK?

This is The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (Scholastic, 2007).

It’s a beautiful book with such a thrilling and engaging story that made me want to read it in just one sitting.

Stylistically, the book blends elements of graphic novels, movies, picture books and cinema into a brilliant reading experience, unlike anything else I’ve ever read (although the way the illustrations are blended into the story reminded slightly of Phoenix by S F Said).

It is 1931, and Hugo secretly lives inside the walls of a Paris train station, making sure all the clocks are wound up and set to the correct time. His father gives him a notebook with a mysterious drawing in it, which looks like a mechanical man. Hugo vows to uncover the mystery of the drawing, but his secret life is discovered and everything is put at risk…

It was made into a movie in 2011, although I’d not heard of it until now. Think I’ll stick with the book for time being, and can’t wait to read it again with my children.