Archie Dingletrotter's Flying Caravan

Archie Dingletrotter’s Flying Caravan – review and giveaway

We’ve recently discovered the range of books by author A J Stairmand and today I’m sharing with you, the chapter book Archie Dingletrotter’s Flying Caravan.  The 72 page book is aimed at children aged 7-11 and has rather a lovely message to it.

Archie Dingletrotter's Flying Caravan

Archie Dingletrotter’s Flying Caravan also contains colourful illustrations throughout from Louisa Kewell which add to the story.

So who is Archie?  Well he’s a seven-year old boy who is part of a travelling family.  He lives with his parents in a rainbow coloured caravan, travelling the country and he never gets to stay in one place for long.  I’m hoping having read this story that a few of Archie’s character traits will rub off on my own eight year old, especially on the writing front!  Archie may move from school to school, but he keeps a diary and reads it out to his mother at the end of every week.  He has a love of learning and always sees the good in everything.

You might think that moving schools frequently has made it hard for Archie to make friends, but no, his happy, funny personality wins him new friends wherever he goes.

Archie Dingletrotter's Flying Caravan

The family arrive in a really pretty village and Archie is thrilled to learn that his family are planning on staying there.  His father gets a job working for a farmer and the family set up home with their caravan in one of his fields.  When Archie starts school he quickly makes friends again, but there are three children who aren’t keen on him at all.

I won’t ruin the rest of the plot, but Archie Dingletrotter’s Flying Caravan teaches young readers that it’s not what you have that’s important, but who you are.  A lesson that these particular children will learn to their cost.

The story is enchanting and a little different from other’s we’ve read and my son has enjoyed reading it with me.  Independent readers will also enjoy the story I’m sure.  The book is available from Waterstones priced at £6.99.  To find out more about other books A J Stairmand, visit http://www.annestairmand.co.uk.

Come back next week to read more about Desmond’s Dragon.

disclosure:  We were sent the item mentioned in exchange for an honest review


I’m pleased to be able to offer two lucky readers the chance to win Archie Dingletrotter’s Flying Caravan for themselves.  Complete the Gleam form below for your chance to win.  Good luck.

Terms and conditions:

(Please note that all entries will be checked against comments for validation).

Only the first step of this form is mandatory, all other steps are optional. Only one entry per person is allowed.

This giveaway is for UK residents only.

Once a winner is randomly picked, I will check if the winner has done what was requested and I will contact them, if they do not reply within one week, the prize will be allocated to another person.

The giveaway will close on 18th March 2018 at midnight.

Don’t forget to visit my Giveaways page for more great prizes on offer!

Archie Dingletrotter’s Flying Caravan

55 thoughts on “Archie Dingletrotter’s Flying Caravan – review and giveaway

  1. If you could travel the country with your children where would you like to visit and why? . . . . Snowdon, Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike . . . to show them the glory of our country

  2. We’d like to go to Scotland as my daughter loves it there. In particular we’d like to island-hop around the Hebrides as we’d like to explore more of their sunny summer beaches!

  3. I’d love to take my son to Egypt as we all love learning about Egyptians in our house so it would be a great place to visit as a family

  4. Monaco. I will love to enjoy the view, the food and sightseeing. I am fluent in French and will enjoy talking to everyone I meet

  5. id love to do all the big cities and also go to the lake district and get back to nature after all the busyness of the city!

  6. Disneyland Florida, but i’d love to take them to Mount Rushmore when they’re older

  7. I would take the children to animal rescue centres and sanctuaries of all sorts so they could see just how crucial a role hey play across the UK.

  8. I would like to take my children to Scotland and the lake Districts, I think there is so much in this country to see

  9. It would be Iceland as we have been many times to the grand hotel and never see the problems you find in the uk towns

  10. I would like to take my grandkids to Disneyland in Paris, as they have always wanted to go

  11. I’d love to visit Yorkshire as it’s as alien to me as a foreign country, not an area I’ve ever visited!

  12. Cornwall, I went there a number of times as a child, and I’d love to return as the grown-up!

  13. To Devon to see my family some of them I haven’t seen in about 20 years as I moved and then they moved from our home town

  14. I’d go to Cornwall, it’s such a beautiful part of the country. I love the little coves and beaches

  15. my boys take about America all the time. id love to take them there to show them all the sights

I'd love to hear from you and try to reply to all comments