If you’ve been following us for a while, you’ll know I love a good children’s book that mixes adventure with heart, and Maya’s Sri Lankan Spice Trail of Tails certainly does that. We have kindly been sent a copy from the lovely gang at Literally PR and here are our thoughts.
First off, the descriptive writing is absolutely gorgeous. The author brings Sri Lanka to life so beautifully that you can practically feel the sunshine on your skin and smell the spices swirling through the air.
With that said, younger readers might find the opening a little on the slower side. The introduction spends quite a while describing Maya, and tightening this section would help the story pick up pace more quickly, especially for little ones who like to dive straight into the action.
The story itself is heart-warming, especially the bond between Maya, Ramy, and the lovable golden retriever, Mimosa. Their mission to find her a forever home is genuinely sweet and gives the book its emotional core.
Character-wise, Maya is curious and determined (love that), and Ramy brings a lovely local perspective. I do wish we had a touch more development with some of the side characters, but the main characters carry the story well enough to keep us immersed.
Overall, it’s a charming and meaningful read with plenty of sunshine, culture, and heart.
Perfect for kids aged 6–11 who enjoy stories with big feelings, animal friends, and a splash of travel magic.
It sounds like delightful characters. #MMBC
Sounds a lovely way to learn about something totally new!
Something a little bit different. Sounds better than the title or the cover
Sounds a lovely book