Walter Willapippy is a children's novel set in the mid-1800s outside of London, in the small town of Wilsham. Willapippy, or Pip as he is known in the village, is a unique fellow. He is known for his impeccable fashion habits, his red curly hair, and his crazy inventions. One day while working on his rooftop, Willapippy drops one of his inventions and it almost hits a little boy named Adam Dall, working on the street below. Adam is eight years old, extremely poor and becomes awestruck by the strange contraption. The two meet and strike up and quick relationship. Pip likes Adam so much; he decides to invite him into his strange world of "imagination and inventions." Little does Pip know that what is to follow is a string of events that changes both of their lives forever. Adam and Pip become intertwined in a race against time to save those that are dear to Adam.