Today I’m showcasing the colour which is impossible to rhyme with: ORANGE…

Boy vs Reality

“Meet Ethan Lacey, online vlogging sensationalongside his mum, dad and big brother Mason.They film and upload everyday life for their million subscribers to enjoy – the pranks, the cosy family time, the perks like going to the opening of an epic new theme park. They are the perfect family… aren’t they? 

But reality is not all fun and freebies. Mum and Dad have been arguing a lot recently and Mason has been picking on Ethan. When the cracks start to show, can Ethan persuade his family to fix the real world, not fixate on the online one?”

This one’s a topical one. I can see it sparking some interesting debates amongst older pupils.

Prince Kal vs the Salivator Alligator

“Prince Kal has finally managed to return safely to his home realm of Imaginaria – but unfortunately, he’s left his chaotic younger sister Minkle behind on Earth.

And so, accompanied by his wizard mentor, a Pixie girl scout, and an ancient sword, Kal must return to Earth – and once again navigate the peculiar rules and customs that Earthlings live by – to rescue Minkle before she can cause too much trouble…”

Kal is back in another crazy adventure. Plenty of madcap humour to enjoy!

Legacy: The Shadow Rises

“An ALL-POWERFUL empire . . . A land of MAGIC and WONDER . . . A dark god that hungers for its DESTRUCTION.

When Scarlett Thawn, heir to the great city of Hightown, learns that her family has been attacked, she is forced to give up her dreams of becoming a mage and return home.

But proving her legacy will be far from simple, as sinister forces have taken hold of the city.

Can Scarlett, with the help of mysterious new arrival Rex, defeat these evil powers and claim what is rightfully hers?”

I love a graphic novel – especially one with a bold and daring female protagonist. This is a fantastic read and sure to be a big hit.

Captain Sunshine

“It’s Bella’s first day onboard as Captain of the Sunshine! Bella was always going to follow in the same seafaring footsteps as her Aunt Bertha the walrus, but commanding a legendary cruise ship like the Sunshine is no easy task. It’s no ordinary ship – it’s a ship bursting with animal passengers! From penguins to rhinos, giraffes to parrots, life is never dull on board the Sunshine.

Bella has a wonderful crew to assist her – from the weathered sea dog Mr Tatou, to the bossy passenger liaison officer Mrs Purrpot the cat, to Flip and Flap, the young penguin entertainment team – but has she really got what it takes to be Captain Sunshine?”

This is a great series for younger readers – full of animals, adventures and joy!

The Othernauts

“Meet Phoebe. She’s eleven years old and desperate to escape the boring island where she lives.
Enter the Argonauts – a crew of so-called heroes on a quest to grab the golden fleece.

Before Phoebe can think better of it, she boards the ship and stows away on the Argo. But the Argonauts have their work cut out. From attacking harpies to deadly whirlpools, giant sea monsters to skeleton armies, there is peril at every turn. Fortunately the Othernauts are on hand – though with Phoebe’s unhelpful prophecies, Perry’s unreliable shape-shifting skills and Cora the siren’s headache-inducing singing, it’s not quite clear exactly how much help these kids will be . . .

Do the Othernauts have what it takes to get the Argo and its motley crew back to safety in one piece?”

A brilliant twist on a well-known story. Fans of myth and legend will recognise a lot of the key characters – even though they may not be exactly as they imagined them.

Terrible True Tales: Saxons

“Terry Deary’s Terrible True Tales: Saxons explores the world of the Saxons and features real people from the thrilling time period. Packed with fun illustrations from Tambe, the four stories take place in some of the most recognisable Saxon settings.”

You know that anything Horrible Histories is going to be well-received. With all the expected humour and gusto, this instalment focusses on real people from the time.

Puzzle Slug

“The poop-covered planet of Plopalot is under threat from the evil alien Dr Nox! Get ready to help Puzzle Slug save his planet. 

Solve every puzzle in this laugh-out-loud comic book to help save Plopalot’s famous poop diamonds, and its slugs! 

Full of riotous comedy, lovable characters and the occasional bottom-blast, this first instalment of Puzzle Slug’s adventures will leave you eager to return to the world of Plopalot!”

This is an alluring combination of comic books charm, perplexing puzzles and, of course, slugs! Super-engaging and tonnes of fun.

Chicken in the Kitchen

“In this rollicking greatest-hits collection covering Neal’s first eight Troika books, he has chosen poems that children have most frequently requested during his twenty years of school visits. Books covered include Bees in My Bananas, It’s Not Fine to Sit on a Porcupine, Here Come the Superheroes, Yuck and Yum, Invasion of the Supervillains, Gorilla Ballerina, When the Bell Goes and Scared? With the inclusion of two new bonus poems, this is a fantastic introduction to the ever-creative mind of one of the UK’s most beloved children’s poets.”

Neal Zetter’s poetry always lands well with children – his distinctive brand of humour really tickles their funny bones. It’s incredibly useful to have all his ‘most requested’ in one handy compendium.

The Lost Dragon of Roar

“The fifth magical adventure in the epic and funny bestselling Land of Roar series.

Rose, Arthur, Win are going back to dragon school, and now they are officially dragon riders, it’s time for their first mission. It’s another epic and magical Roar adventure, where they’ll encounter a cursed island of witches, a ghostly mystery and the most fearsome dragon in Roar. But someone is on their tail…”

Anyone who has enjoyed the previous visits to the magical Land of Roar is going to be thrilled to discover a new instalment in this brilliant series. Just as full of action, peril and high adventure as you would expected.

Dory Fantasmagory: Dory Dory Black Sheep

“Ever since Dory met Rosabelle, a real true friend whose imagination and high spirits match her own, school has been pretty good. But now the class is learning to read, and it’s proving to be a challenge for Dory. While Rosabelle can read chapter books in her head, Dory is stuck with baby books about a happy little farm. Dory wishes for a potion to turn her into a reader but things don’t go as planned. Suddenly, a naughty little girl who looks an awful lot like Dory’s imaginary nemesis, Mrs. Gobble Gracker, shows up. And a black sheep leaves the pages of the farm book to follow Dory to school. It really needs her help–this seems like a job for a superhero! And it would help if she knew how to read.”

A funny series which will engage younger or less confident readers.

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I wonder if any of those titles has a rhyme for ‘orange’ in them? Let me know if you find one.

Jo.

*Many thanks to all the publishers who sent me these titles to review*