Share your thoughts in a quick Shelf Talk!
Island of the Aunts by Eva Ibbotson
On a hidden island teeming with sea‑dwelling marvels, three eccentric aunts need help caring for their extraordinary charges—and they have a most unconventional plan. Warm, funny, and tinged with moral mischief, Island of the Aunts invites readers to choose compassion over convention and believe in the magic just off the map.
Have you read this book? Share what you liked (or didn’t), and we’ll use your answers to recommend your next favorite read!
Love Island of the Aunts but not sure what to read next?
These picks are popular with readers who enjoyed this book. Complete a quick Shelf Talk to get recommendations made just for you! Warning: possible spoilers for Island of the Aunts below.
In Island of the Aunts, did you enjoy ...
... a warm, oddball household built around caring for extraordinary beings while fending off meddling authorities?
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
If you loved how the aunts turn their hidden island into a sanctuary for mermaids, selkies, and even an ancient kraken—only to face a greedy outsider who wants to exploit them—then you'll click with The House in the Cerulean Sea. Linus Baker arrives at an orphanage for "dangerous" magical children and slowly becomes part of a hilariously chaotic, deeply loving family as he pushes back against a cold bureaucracy bent on separating them. It delivers the same cozy, funny protect-the-vulnerable vibes that made the aunts’ makeshift family so endearing.
... a protect-the-creatures mission with a clear stand against exploitation and ecological harm?
The Last Wild by Piers Torday
In Island of the Aunts, the aunts and their kidnapped helpers risk everything to keep magical sea life from being caged and commercialized. The Last Wild channels that same energy: Kester Jaynes can speak to animals and is swept into a journey to save Britain’s remaining wildlife from a man-made catastrophe driven by the ruthless company Facto. The stakes are urgent, the animal allies unforgettable, and the message—animals aren’t resources to be used up—lands with the same heart.
... dry, mischievous British humor wrapped around big-hearted magic and eccentric caretakers?
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
If Aunt Etta’s deadpan scheming and the island’s cheeky magical mishaps made you grin, Howl’s Moving Castle will too. Sophie gets cursed by the Witch of the Waste and winds up in wizard Howl’s chaotic, peripatetic home—complete with the snarky fire demon Calcifer and a cast of lovable oddballs. It’s the same blend of witty banter, offbeat guardians, and gently escalating peril that keeps the laughs coming without losing the warmth.
... whimsical, rule-loose magic full of kindly monsters, hidden portals, and daring rescues?
The Secret of Platform 13 by Eva Ibbotson
If the island’s mermaids, selkies, and kraken charmed you with their mystery and kindness, you’ll adore The Secret of Platform 13. A hidden doorway (the gump) opens to a magical kingdom, and a motley rescue team—an ogre, a wizard, a gentle hag, and a plucky orphan—must save a stolen prince from our world. The magic here is delightfully squishy and surprising, the creatures sweet rather than scary, and the derring-do lands with the same buoyant heart.
... loving bonds with benevolent non-human beings—from sea folk and a kraken to a tiny dragon and a swamp monster?
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
If you were moved by the way the aunts and kids befriend and safeguard the island’s creatures, The Girl Who Drank the Moon offers that same tenderness. Baby Luna is raised by the witch Xan, the poetic swamp monster Glerk, and the pint-sized dragon Fyrian; together they form a family that must protect their own when fearful officials threaten their world. The creature companions aren’t sidekicks—they’re heart-of-the-story, just like the mermaids and other denizens you rooted for.
Unlock your personalized book recommendations! Just take a quick Shelf Talk for Island of the Aunts by Eva Ibbotson. It’s only a few questions and takes less than a minute.