In Hettie and Friends in the Fens and its sequel, Hettie in the Fens: Some Further Stories, author Mick Price introduces readers to a quietly enchanting world where community, humour, and gentle adventure shape everyday life. Set in the Fens, the books follow Hettie and her circle of friends through a series of short, engaging tales that reflect family life, school, and growing up.
Rather than relying on high drama, the stories draw their strength from warmth and observation. The Fenland setting is more than a backdrop. It is an active presence throughout the series, grounding each adventure in a recognisable and much-loved landscape. Written in an accessible style suitable for early readers and adults alike, the books balance simplicity with wit, appealing to readers across generations.
Synopsis
Hettie and Friends in the Fens introduces readers to Hettie’s world through ten short, quirky stories that serve as snapshots of childhood. Everyday moments quietly turn into adventures, whether that involves a shopping trip with Mum or Dad, a seaside holiday, a gentle cruise along a Broads river, or an activities day at school.
Set firmly in the English Fens, the stories celebrate the small dramas and delights of growing up. Each vignette captures the curious, humorous, and occasionally baffling logic of modern childhood, where ordinary days often take an interesting turn.
The sequel, Hettie in the Fens: Some Further Stories, picks up where the first book leaves off. There are fewer stories this time, but they are longer, allowing each adventure more space to unfold, linger, and draw readers further into Hettie’s world. Hettie is a little older now, with a growing sense of self-awareness, yet the gentle humour remains. The pace and scope expand, showing once again that even the most ordinary days in the Fens rarely end as they begin.
“Having spent my life in education, I wanted to write stories that invite children into reading without pressure,” says Price. “The Hettie books grew from a love of storytelling, place, and the belief that gentle humour and warmth can make reading feel like a pleasure rather than a task.”
He continues, “Hettie and Friends in the Fens is written for parents and children aged seven to thirteen who enjoy reading together, particularly at bedtime. The short stories are designed to help children drift off feeling safe and comforted. In the second book, Hettie is older and more self-aware, giving the stories a slightly more mature perspective while retaining the same warmth and humour.”
The Hettie series has earned strong ratings on Amazon, with readers praising its humour, recognisable settings, and appeal to both children and parents. One reviewer of Hettie and Friends in the Fens writes, “What a fantastic book! If you live in the Fens around Wisbech, Spalding, King's Lynn you'll be familiar with the area and identify with the stories. My kids love the book. The quirkiness of the stories, references to modern technology, family relationships, school and growing up is rife and so relevant…”
Hettie and Friends in the Fens is available on Amazon:
https://amzn.eu/d/g0pgjUf
Hettie in the Fens: Some Further Stories is available on Amazon:
https://amzn.eu/d/21wpCAJ
About the Author
Mick Price is a retired teacher and college lecturer in Mathematics and IT, with a career spanning both public and private sectors, including Local Government and further education. He has taught subjects ranging from basic skills numeracy to degree-level mathematics. He has a long-standing interest in developing educational resources, particularly for GCSE re-take students and adult learners. His previous publications include GCSE Mathematics – A Guide for Re-takers and Adults, as well as other educational texts and articles.
Motivated by a desire to encourage young people to read for pleasure, Price turned to children’s fiction later in life, resulting in the Hettie series. Now retired and living in the Fens with his wife, he enjoys writing, real ale, bird spotting, and attempting to avoid politics. He holds a BA (Hons) in Mathematics, an Advanced Diploma in Teaching, a Master’s Degree in Education, and is a Fellow of the Institute for Learning.
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