Today I’m sharing a brilliant debut novel by Helen Harvey: Emmy Levels Up. It’s a fantastic story about gaming, friendship and standing up for yourself. I also have Helen’s top three gaming recommendations for children AND for adults. ‘Emmy is brilliant at the computer game, Illusory Isles. Her avatar is a powerful fire elemental with … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Emmy Levels Up,’ by Helen Harvey, cover by Abbey Lossing.
Blog Tour: ‘Science and Me,’ by Ali Winter, illustrated by Mickaël El Fathi.
Today I’m sharing a wonderful information book inspired by the of the amazing women and men who have been honoured to be named as Nobel Prize Laureates in Physics, Chemistry and Medicine. I shall be spotlighting Mario J. Molina who’s pioneering work alerted the world to the dangers of CFCs. Winter and El Fathi have … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Science and Me,’ by Ali Winter, illustrated by Mickaël El Fathi.
Looking to update your poetry collection?
‘A Working Day in the Life of Satoshi Kitamura,’ author of The Smile Shop.
The Smile Shop has been nominated for the Greenaway Medal 2021 and I am not surprised. Each page is an absolute delight - packed with little details to discover and enjoy with each reading. I’m very lucky to have a piece to share by Kitamura about how he spends a typical working day. A small … Continue reading ‘A Working Day in the Life of Satoshi Kitamura,’ author of The Smile Shop.
Blog tour: ‘Just Like Me,’ by Louise Gooding, illustrations by Angel Chang, Caterina delli Carri, cathyhookey, and Melissa Iwai.
I leapt at the chance to participate in this blog tour because I know how important is that children are able to read books which feature people likes themselves and those around them. It is equally important that children read books about people different to themselves so that they are able to broaden their world … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Just Like Me,’ by Louise Gooding, illustrations by Angel Chang, Caterina delli Carri, cathyhookey, and Melissa Iwai.
Blog tour: ‘The Tale of the Whale,’ by Karen Swann, illustrated by Padmacandra.
Today I’m sharing a very timely picture book about a special journey through the oceans on the back of a whale which makes clear the devastating impact of plastic pollution on the seas and the creatures who live in them. ‘Where land becomes sky and the sky becomes sea, I first saw the whale, and … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Tale of the Whale,’ by Karen Swann, illustrated by Padmacandra.
Blog Tour: ‘Meet the Oceans,’ by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Bethan Woollvin.
Today we’re diving down into the watery depths of the world’s oceans and seas in Caryl Hart’s newest picture book. ‘SPLOOOOSH! We're off on an exciting underwater adventure in our submarine to meet the oceans and seas of our blue planet. Join in with the rhymes and get ready to spot all the smiley-faced, friendly … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Meet the Oceans,’ by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Bethan Woollvin.
Blog tour: ‘The Magician’s Map,’ by Mikki Lish and Kelly Ngai, illustration by Maxine Lee-Mackie.
Having read the first title in the Hoarder Hill series and loved it, I was delighted to be sent the next instalment to enjoy. The twins are back at Hoarder Hill and they’ve caught wind of Fantastikhana - an underground magical tournament! Make sure you also read authors Mikki and Kelly’s piece about the trials … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Magician’s Map,’ by Mikki Lish and Kelly Ngai, illustration by Maxine Lee-Mackie.
Blog tour: ‘The Magic Place,’ by Chris Wormell.
Chris Wormell is perhaps best know for his distinctive illustrative style, but he has also created several picture books and now, a novel - the rather wonderful ‘The Magic Place.’ Make sure you read Chris’s special piece about the places he used to escape to as a child and how they inspire his writing. 'And … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Magic Place,’ by Chris Wormell.
Blog tour: ‘Vampirates,’ by Justin Somper, cover illustration by Crush Creative.
Justin Somper’s swaggering fantasy adventure series has been reissued with striking new covers and bonus additional content including ‘origins stories’ for its lead characters, interviews, and reading group notes. Today I’m sharing the first of those with you, plus an exclusive piece by Justin about how he researched his characters. ‘The year is 2512. The … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Vampirates,’ by Justin Somper, cover illustration by Crush Creative.
‘Swan Song,’ by Gill Lewis.
As all children look set to returning to school over the coming days, I know that emotional wellbeing will be a key concern for many. With lots of pupils having felt very isolated over the past few months, anxiety about returning to school or even being in large groups of people may be looming large. … Continue reading ‘Swan Song,’ by Gill Lewis.
Cover Reveal: ‘The House on the Edge,’ by Alex Cotter….
If you happen to have book vouchers burning a hole in your pocket, you might like to pre-order yourself a copy of this spine-tingling new title publishing on the 1st July 2021. Where has Faith's dad gone? Why has he left his family living in an old house perched on a crumbling cliff top? A … Continue reading Cover Reveal: ‘The House on the Edge,’ by Alex Cotter….
Blog Tour: ‘What did the Tree See?’ by Charlotte Guillain, illustrated by Sam Usher.
There’s always something truly magical about finding a tree that’s so enormous you have no hope of putting your arms around it - you know that it has stood on that same spot for hundreds and hundreds of years regardless of the changes which have gone on around it. I always wonder just what it’s … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘What did the Tree See?’ by Charlotte Guillain, illustrated by Sam Usher.
Blog Tour: ‘Show Us Who You Are,’ by Elle McNicoll, cover by Kay Wilson.
I am sure that lots of you will already have read and loved Elle’s stellar debut title ‘A Kind of Spark’ (if you haven’t, do it!) and were blown away by the power of her writing. Like me, you will probably have been eagerly awaiting her next publication, hoping it will be just as brilliant. … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Show Us Who You Are,’ by Elle McNicoll, cover by Kay Wilson.
‘How to Spot a Mum,’ by Donna Amey Bhatt, illustrated by Aura Lewis.
With Mother’s Day on the horizon, you may well be thinking about making cards and buying presents. How about getting something a little out of the ordinary this year? How about a wonderfully warm and witty book celebrating mums in all their guises? ‘How to Spot a Mum is a tongue-in-cheek tribute and ode to … Continue reading ‘How to Spot a Mum,’ by Donna Amey Bhatt, illustrated by Aura Lewis.
‘Lego Minifigure – A Visual History,’ written by Daniel Lipkowitz, from DK Books.
We are a house of mega Lego fans so you can imagine the huge levels of excitement when the new edition of the Lego Minifigure visual history arrived during lockdown! The exclusive orange spaceman Minifigure encased in the cover was a highly sought-after prize! ‘Celebrate the epic journey of the LEGO® minifigure. Features an exclusive … Continue reading ‘Lego Minifigure – A Visual History,’ written by Daniel Lipkowitz, from DK Books.
Blog Tour: ‘Flea Seeks Dog,’ by Will Mabbitt, illustrated by Nathan Reed.
I absolutely love Will’s books; his humour just tickles me! (See ‘I Can Only Draw Worms’) I am please to be able to share with you his newest title: ‘Flea's got itchy feet! It's time to find a new dog to call home. But, try as he might, none of the dogs he meets are … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Flea Seeks Dog,’ by Will Mabbitt, illustrated by Nathan Reed.
Blog Tour: ‘How do you Make a Rainbow?’ by Caroline Crowe, illustrated by Cally Johnson-Isaacs.
I always find this time of year so dark and dreary, especially so this year during lockdown, so it’s important to look for the positives around you and have hope that things will get brighter. ‘How do you Make a Rainbow?’ is certainly one of those books which encourages readers to think about what makes … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘How do you Make a Rainbow?’ by Caroline Crowe, illustrated by Cally Johnson-Isaacs.
Blog Tour: ‘Bears Don’t Wear Shoes,’ by Sharon Davey.
Although Sharon has illustrated a lot of brilliant books for other authors, this is the very first book she’s both written and illustrated. Make sure you read Sharon’s piece about the ideas & inspirations behind her story. ‘Suzy's family has moved house and everyone is just TOO BUSY to play with her. Eager for someone … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Bears Don’t Wear Shoes,’ by Sharon Davey.
The Magic Storybox
I was delighted to be asked by The Magic Storybox to review one of their amazing book gift boxes. I chose to review one of their ‘anti-racist book boxes’ but their website also have options to build a box for someone based on your own selections, or to purchase a monthly book subscription packed with … Continue reading The Magic Storybox
Library Girl and Book Boy 