R. I. P. Nanny Tobbins

By Lucie Stevens

Reviewed by Mia Macrossan

Lucie Stevens  is children’s author, freelance writer, editor and publishing consultant. R. I. P. Nanny Tobbins, about a young girl coping with an unruly ghost, is her debut middle grade novel.

Nine year old Albertine’s cosy and comfortable world is very much disturbed by two events which happen in fairly quick succession: the death of her beloved governess Nanny Tobbins and her father’s marriage to someone who doesn’t seem to like children. When Nanny returns as a well-intentioned ghost to continue giving Albertine lessons the unexpected disasters that result are blamed on Albertine.

Problems multiply, her father is too busy working for Prince Albert on the Royal Exhibiton, her new stepmother is busy with parties and while she has friends amongst the servants they can’t always help her.  Albertine has to find a solution herself and with the help of her little dog Quiver, she does.

This is a story about coping with change, grief,and misunderstandings, underpinned by a strong and loving father- daughter relationship. The Victorian setting provides charming details of a life of privelege with some glimpses of other lives lived elsewhere. Nanny Tobbins is a fascinating character who can be quietly and relentlessly terrifying while acting with the best of intentions.

Young readers will enjoy this ghost story with its gentle frisson of horror and probably look forward to the next adventure of Albertine and her ghost governess, set for publication in 2026.

Teaching guide

HarperCollins 2025

Lucie Stevens