I recently had the pleasure (!?) of a five-hour train journey with my family and thought that the second novel from Australian author Matilda Woods, would be the perfect story to escape into. Was I right, you ask? Yes! Oona Britt is the very much unwanted seventh of seven daughters. A fortune-teller had foretold that … Continue reading ‘The Girl, The Cat and The Navigator,’ by Matilda Woods, illustrated by Anuska Allepuz.
Everyone’s favourite vampire is back in another wickedly funny installment of Laura Ellen Anderson’s brilliant series. Amelia is busily planning for her big birthnight party at the Pumpkin Patch (one of Amelia’s favourite places as she wants to be a pumpkinologist when she’s older.) Her pet pumpkin, Squashy, has a swanky new outfit to wear … Continue reading ‘Amelia Fang and the Memory Thief,’ by Laura Ellen Anderson.
Have you ever imagined what it might be like if you could only tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? No? Well spare a thought for the Truth Pixie who can only do just that. One of the fantastic characters from the ‘A Boy Called Christmas’ trilogy by Maths Haig, the … Continue reading ‘The Truth Pixie,’ by Matt Haig, illustrated by Chris Mould.
It’s that time of year when minds turn to new shoes, crisp new notebooks and tricked-out pencil cases - Back to School time! And it’s no different at St. Grizzle’s, the boarding school with a difference..... St. Grizzle’s School for Girls, Goats and Random Boys is the very first title in the series and tells … Continue reading St. Grizzle’s School For Girls by Karen McCombie, illustrated by Becka Moor.
I had originally purchased this one for Book Boy to read but the beautiful cover and blurb drew me to it, so I read it first! When a cargo ship flounders in a fearsome storm, a container of robots empties its contents into a turbulent sea. Many sink, some are eventually dashed to pieces on … Continue reading Holiday Read #6: ‘The Wild Robot,’ by Peter Brown.
My next holiday read was actually a re-read ahead of a workshop I’m doing in September about how funny books can be in-roads to discussing more serious issues with children. ‘Who Let The Gods Out’ certainly does just that. Elliot’s life has changed a lot over the past year - following the death of his … Continue reading Holiday Re-Read #5: ‘Who Let The Gods Out,’ by Maz Evans, characters by Aleksei Bitskoff.
Welcome to my specially updated post, all ready for the #TheTrainToImpossiblePlaces blog tour. As well as my original review, I’m also honoured to host an exclusive post by P.G. Bell, explains how this magical tale from orally told bedtime story to published book. “Where impossible, becomes possible....” When Suzy is woken up by strange banging, clanking … Continue reading Holiday Read #3: ‘The Train To Impossible Places,’ with exclusive post by P.G. Bell, illustrations by Flavia Sorrentino
This is the second of my much-anticipated holiday reads. I bought it a little while ago following a lot of good reviews, and now that I’m on holiday, I actually have time to read it! Orphaned Christopher works with Mr Absalom, an unregistered mechanic who specialises in making mechanical children (the creation of adults is … Continue reading Holiday Read #2: ‘Tin,’ by Pádraig Kenny, illustrations by Katie Hickey.
I purchased this beauty a little while ago and have been lovingly looking at it on my book pile ever since. I decided that my summer holiday would be the perfect time to crack open the cover (very carefully!) and enter the wonderous world of Nevermoor. Morrigan Crow is the only daughter of Chancellor Corvus Crow, … Continue reading Holiday Read #1 ‘Nevermoor – The Trials Of Morrigan Crow,’ by Jessica Townsend, illustrations by Beatriz Castro.
Welcome to the blog tour for the brilliant ‘A Chase In Time.’ Can a trip to the past save the future? Alex Pilgrim and his sister Ruby always spend a couple of weeks of the school holidays at Aunt Joanna’s house and by ‘house,’ I mean Applecott House: mansion/ Bed and Breakfast. But it may … Continue reading ‘A Chase in Time,’ by Sally Nicholls, illustrated by Brett Helquist.
McTavish is back with another important mission - the Peachey family is in crisis; they can’t decide where to go on holiday. And when they do decide, certain family members seem determined not to enjoy themselves. Cue McTavish.... When mum suggests the family head back to the magical Faraway Campsite of her youth, Betty is … Continue reading ‘McTavish Goes Wild,’ by Meg Rosoff, illustrations by Grace Easton.
It’s encouraging to see a more diverse range of main characters appearing in children’s books at the moment. It’s in this way that we can help develop empathy and understanding of those different to ourselves. That’s why I was very happy to be invited to take part in the blog tour for Double Felix. Felix’s … Continue reading ‘Double Felix,’ by Sally Harris, illustrated by Maria Serrano.
“The world is filled with millions of miracles that no one sees.” Max finds life at St. Goliath’s difficult for a range of reasons - being made to sit on the ‘SPECIAL SEAT’ during assemblies, the constant noise and chaos. None of this made it easy for Max, with his hearing aids, to fit in … Continue reading ‘Max and the Millions,’ by Ross Montgomery, cover by David Litchfield.
I am delighted to tell you that ‘Ottoline and the Purple Fox,’ is now available to paperback! I am even more thrilled to tell you that I have a full signed paperback and print set for one lucky follower to win! Ottoline and her hairy companion, Mr Munroe, were busy planning a dinner party when … Continue reading ‘Ottoline and the Purple Fox,’ by Chris Riddell.
Ella is the new girl at school and she’s hiding a secret. A secret so terrible that surely no one would want to be friends with her anyway, even if they did notice her existence! When Queen Bee, Lydia, decides to grace Ella with her friendship, Ella can’t believe her luck - suddenly all the … Continue reading ‘Ella on the Outside,’ by Cath Howe, illustration by Nicola Theobald.
McTavish is a rescue dog with a mission - to save the Peachey family. After mum resigns from her duties to practise yoga, The Peachey family is in chaos. They are always late for everything, sock go unpaired and take-away pizza for tea is de rigour. Cue, McTavish, the rescue dog and organisational mastermind who’s … Continue reading ‘GOOD DOG McTavish,’ by Meg Rosoff, illustrated by Grace Easton.
Every so often a book comes along which perfectly mirrors life in the society about which it is written. I am very sad to say that ‘Running on Empty’ does just that. Focussing on the timely issues of modern-day poverty and young carers, it sharply brings into view the pressures faced by children and their … Continue reading ‘Running on Empty,’ by S.E.Durrant, cover by Rob Biddulph. Plus exclusive guest post.
I am delighted to welcome ‘Planet Stan’ to my blog today to round off its blog tour. I am even more delighted that I had the opportunity to ask author, Elaine, some quizzing questions. The story revolves around the tricky sibling relationship between space-loving Stan and his disgusting younger brother Fred. Stan is struggling to … Continue reading ‘Planet Stan,’ by Elaine Wickson, illustrated by Chris Judge plus exclusive Q&A.
It seems like I’ve been waiting for a lifetime for the second instalment in James Nicol’s ‘The Apprentice Witch’ series. But now it’s here and I’ve read it! Well safe to say, I wasn’t disappointed! In this second book, things have taken a darker turn in the village of Lull with a host of supernatural … Continue reading ‘A Witch Alone,’ by James Nicol, illustration by Daniela Terrazzini.
I am very excited to have been asked to be an official cheerleader for one of the amazing nominees for 2018’s Children's Book Award. Organised by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, these are the only awards where the nominees and winners are chosen entirely by children. The nominated book I’ve been asked to celebrate … Continue reading Children’s Book Award nominee – ‘The Explorer,’ by Katherine Rundell, illustrations by Hannah Horn.
Library Girl and Book Boy 