If you haven’t read any of Sharon Creech’s stories, ‘Saving Winslow’ is a great place to start, followed up by her verse novel ‘Love that Dog.’ Louie had been hoping for a puppy to care for but instead his father brings home a sickly newborn donkey from his uncle’s farm. Louie doesn’t have a great … Continue reading ‘Saving Winslow,’ by Sharon Creech, illustrated by Sarah Horne.
This week, Book Boy got to pick our Tuesday title and he selected this updated take on the classic story of Robin Hood. After his coder father is falsely imprisoned following a disagreement with local gangster, Guy Gisborne, twelve-year-old Robin escapes into the sprawling and dangerous Sherwood Forest. Full of snakes and bandits, no one … Continue reading #TuesdayReviewsDay Robert Muchamore’s ‘Robin Hood,’ cover by Alessandro Taini.
Given the high profile of climate change and a rise in climate activism amongst the youth of the world, it’s little surprise that the theme for the 50th Earth Day is climate activism. I am about to share with you all some titles which I hope will inform pupils about some of the global issues … Continue reading Books to Encourage Climate Activism – Earth Day 2020
This week Book Boy Jr. has chosen to share the first in a new series of ‘Dream Team’ chapter books from Tom Percival. Erika is sick to death of her baby brother, Randall, getting away with everything and of her parents being too tired or busy to talk to her. After a particularly bad day, … Continue reading #TuesdayReviewsDay: ‘Dream Team: Attack of the Heebie Jeebies,’ by Tom Percival.
Today is my stop on the blog tour of Donna David’s debut picture book, ‘Oh No, Bobo!’ - a gentle introduction for little readers to the concept of consent. Poor little Bobo can’t sleep; he just needs the perfect pillow and then he’s sure he’ll be able to nod off. So Bobo sets out into … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Oh No, Bobo!’ by Donna David, illustrated by Laura Watkins.
I’m always so pleased to be able to share with you a beautiful picture book for the diverse publisher, Tiny Owl. Their books promote diversity not only through their themes and content, but also the wonderful collection of authors and illustrators they work with. I was recently asked to produce a video of myself reading … Continue reading ‘There’s Room for Everyone,’ by Anahita Teymorian.
We’re back for a post-bank holiday Tuesday Reviews Day. This week Book Boy has chosen a Derby Daredevils title. Best friends Kenzie and Shelly are desperate to enter a real life roller derby. When their local league announced there’ll be a new junior division, they can’t believe their luck! There’s only one problem - to … Continue reading #TuesdayReviewsDay: ‘The Derby Daredevils: Kenzie Kickstarts a Team,’ by Kit Rosewater, illustrated by Sophie Escabasse.
Chris Haslam is Chief Travel Writer at The Sunday Times, writer of black comedy thrillers for adults and now the author of his first book for children: ‘Orla and the Serpent’s Curse.’ Orla and her family head to a secluded Cornish cottage for they hope will be a relaxing break away from the hustle and … Continue reading ‘Orla and the Serpent’s Curse,’by C. J. Haslam, cover by Paddy Donnelly.
As a parent of a child in Year 6, I am keenly aware that Book Boy may not be returning to school in time to do all the usual 'end of Year 6' things - performances, shirt signings, the sex education session which I am sure many parents (including myself) are not overly confident in … Continue reading Books to use in RSE (Relationships and Sex Education) in Year 6.
It seems apt that Book Boy Jr. chose to share this book with me in a time of social distancing when it’s very hard for people to physically be ‘together’ with their family and friends. This beautifully-illustrated story explores some of the other ways people can come together in these strange times. ’We Are Together’ … Continue reading #TuesdayReviewsDay ‘We Are Together,’ by Britta Teckentrup.
When I saw that there was a new instalment to Michelle Paver’s iconic and award-winning ‘Wolf Brother’ series, I knew that I HAD to get my hands on a copy! I absolutely devoured all the other titles whilst on maternity leave, tapping on my kindle with my one free finger to turn the page. This … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Viper’s Daughter,’ by Michelle Paver.
Ooh readers, you are in for a treat. I read this brilliant curse-filled tale over the course of the day and thoroughly loved it! When Noah Bradley and his family arrive at their newest house in the middle of the night, he can’t help but wonder how long he will be able to call it … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Thirteenth Home of Noah Bradley,’ by Amber Lee Dodd,
This absolutely beautiful picture book is based on the real life story of Jack and his beloved Bear. Seven-year-old Jack has autism and Bear is his constant companion and bridge to the world around him. ‘Bear Shaped’ tells the story of what happened when Bear went missing and Jack’s dad sent a tweet out into … Continue reading ‘Bear Shaped,’ by Dawn Coulter-Cruttenden.
This week is World Autism Awareness Week, so is the ideal time to share with you a brilliant new picture book from Scallywag Press. ‘Talking is Not My Thing!’ by Rose Robbins tells her story from the perspective of a non-verbal autistic sister who has found other ways to communicate with her sibling, based on … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Talking is Not My Thing!’ by Rose Robbins.
I think that in the current climate of uncertainty, school closures and social lockdown, there must be plenty of children worried about what is going to happen and when they’ll be able to play outside and see their friends again. Books provide such fantastic opportunities for conversations about all sorts of worries, so I’m always … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘My Monster and Me,’ by Nadiya Hussain, illustrated by Ella Bailey.
I am huge fan of Emer’s hilarious writing (see the Lollies 2018 winner - The Big, Fat, Totally Bonkers Diary of Pig) so was thrilled time see that she had an entirely new series out soon - ‘Pests.’ “When the lights go off the Pests come out!” Told from the perspective of inquisitive mouse, Stix, … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Pests,’ by Emer Stamp.
As part of our new schedule, #BookBoy and #BookBoyJr will be posting new reviews every Tuesday (#TuesdayReviewsDay.) This weekend, Book Boy has been reading the first in a new series of pun-filled mysteries from Piccadilly Press. Mark Anchovy (aka Colin Kingsley) is a pizza delivery boy and aspiring private detective - he is desperate for … Continue reading #TuesdayReviewsDay ‘Mark Anchovy: Pizza Detective,’ by William Goldsmith.
Welcome to the blog tour for “TrooFriend” by Kirsty Applebaum - make sure you read her thoughts on whether she’d like to own a TrooFriend herself. Having read and loved her debut, “The Middler,” I was very impatient to read her next title and I had high expectations. I was not disappointed. ‘I am a … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘TrooFriend,’ by Kirsty Applebaum,
The Federation Of Children’s Book Groups (FCBG) Book Awards is based around the top 12 highest scoring titles that the children in their book groups have read that year. Anybody under the age of 18 can register their vote on the FCBG website HERE. I’m cheerleading for the frightfully funny ‘Mutant Zombies Cursed My School … Continue reading The FCBG Children’s Book Award 2020 – introducing ‘Mutant Zombies Cursed my School Trip!’ by Matt Brown, illustrated by Paco Sordo.
I’m always on the lookout for new children’s magazines: for my own children, for school or to give as gift subscriptions to family and friends. I leapt at the chance to receive a copy of the quarterly ‘Dot’ magazine - it’s so beautifully designed and produced! Volume 18 is ‘The Birds Issue’ and provided some … Continue reading ‘Dot’ Magazine from Studio Anorak.
Library Girl and Book Boy 