Hugh Walpole 
The Golden Scarecrow 

Like Jeremy this book is an exercise in entering into the minds/hearts of children, but has little else in common with that book. The premise is that children come into this world with a knowledge of the world they have left behind and a spiritual link to it through a companion just referred to as their Friend. Some adults are able to mature without losing their Friend and some children push him away when they are still small. It needs the heart of a child and a willingness to believe in things we can’t see, but I think that if you are willing to give it a chance, The Golden Scarecrow will repay your effort.