Guy Bass is such a fantastic author that I always look forward to any new release from him. When I saw the cover of Scrap, I was even more excited as it was so dramatic - a silhouetted figure atop a mound of parts. And what’s that in the background? “The year was Something Something. … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Scrap,’ by Guy Bass, illustrated by Alessia Trunfio.
Is it too early to mention the ‘C’ word? Well if it is, I can only apologise because that Elephant is back and this time he’s got his eye on Santa’s sleigh! “Chaos at Christmas! Join a whole host of animals in silly situations as they try to celebrate the festive season.You can't let an … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘You Can’t Let an Elephant Pull Santa’s Sleigh,’ by Patricia Cleveland-Peck, illustrated by David Tazzyman.
It’s brilliant to see more book awards being devised specially to celebrate the treasure trove of wonderful children’s books which are being published at the moment. As a regular subscriber of The Week Junior, I was delighted to read that they were launching a brand new award for children’s books. They always champion a brilliant … Continue reading The Week Junior Book Awards
I will never cease to be amazed by this super-clever series of information books which read like a classic ‘choose your own adventure’ story. This newest instalment contains over 400 historical facts for readers to navigate their own path through. “In this blast-from-the-past adventure you’ll discover hundreds of the most mind-blowing facts from history. Hidden … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘History Factopia,’ by Paige Towler, illustrated by Andy Smith.
As the nights start to draw in there’s just the hint of a chill in the air, you might start thinking about all things spooky. If so, you might like to journey into Miracula with little witch, Ivy Newt. Ivy Newt and the Storm Witch (Book 1) “It’s Ivy's birthday, and her parents, the King … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Ivy Newt’ series by Derek Keilty, illustrated by Magda Brol.
There is a huge appetite for titles like this: a collection of strange, unnerving, and sometime ghoulish tales suitable for upper primary readers. ‘Strange Tales’ features nine such stories inspired by folklore and myth from Daniel’s travels around the world. Make sure you read Daniel’s piece about his work as a storyteller and what inspires … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Strange Tales,’ by Daniel Morden, illustrations by Anne Glenn.
Today I am sharing the second Maggie Blue adventure. I would highly recommend reading the first instalment (Maggie Blue and the Dark World) if you haven’t already, but readers who are new to the series will still be able to enjoy this latest instalment without any prior reading. “Maggie Blue is adjusting to a quieter … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Maggie Blue and the White Crow,’ by Anna Goodall, cover by Sandra Dieckmann.
I absolutely love this series and would highly recommend it for anyone aged 7+. It is packed with the most anarchic fun you’re ever likely to encounter, it’s bursting with hilarious illustrations, and it has the ability to make you laugh out loud on a train. What more could you want?! “Venture back to Grimwood … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Grimwood: Attack of the Stink Monster,’ by Nadia Shireen.
It’s not very often that books about fronds focus on a group of boys. Even less often that these groups of friends are shown in a positive, supportive light. That’s what makes ‘The Council of Good Friends’ so brilliant - we get to see boys’ friendships in all their multi-faceted glory: having fun, pranking each … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Council of Good Friends,’ by Nikesh Shukla, illustrated by Rochelle Falconer.
The Cold War Era is a period of history I know very little about and is not something which I have often seen featured in children’s fiction. However, there is a steady trickle of books beginning to fill the bookshelves with the aim of bringing to life this slightly neglected era. ‘Sweet Skies’ is certainly … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Sweet Skies,’ by Robin Scott-Elliot, cover by Holly Ovenden.
I raced through this book! A superb read from Jeffrey Boakye which explores the complexities of growing up as a black youth from an estate, alongside a backdrop of pure 90s joy - cassette tapes, Gladiators, rap battles, the internet? What’s that? ‘Kofi had an idea . . . one big lightning bolt of an … Continue reading ‘Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer,’ by Jeffrey Blakey.
As the parent of a car-mad son, I have spent a lot of time searching for fiction and non-fiction books which would be suitable for middle grade and tween readers. It has proven incredibly difficult to find anything that is either a picture book or aimed at adults. To save you scouring the bookshops like … Continue reading Car Crazy?
Today I’m sharing a spookily special and gleefully ghoulish new series for readers aged 6+. Welcome to Grim Falls Academy where supernatural children go to learn. “Something weird is happening at Grim Falls Academy... and that's saying something for a school for supernatural kids! The teachers are growing tentacles, the headmaster has locked himself in … Continue reading Blog tour: The Grim Falls Academy series by Louise Forshaw.
I was totally blown away when I opened up the package containing this stunning book, my imagination completely captured by the fantastical creatures dreamed up by Raoul to inhabitant a hidden continent completely unspoilt by mankind- Terra Ultima. The entire book is based on the premise that a mysterious new continent has just been discovered … Continue reading ‘Terra Ultima: The Discovery of a Hidden Continent,’ by Raoul Deleo.
At the moment, it would seem that children’s books steeped in African mythology are having a bit of a moment. This is very lucky for readers because wow, that’s a rich seam to mine! Adébísí’s Jujuland series is centred on West African lore and is jam-packed with feuding tribes, demons, and powerful magic. Make sure … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Kòkú Àkànbí and the Heart of Midnight,’ by Maria Motúnráyò Adébísí, illustrated by Simone Douglas.
When I read that Tania Unsworth was inspired to write this by the hidden, forgotten corners that no one ever noticed, I was intrigued. As a child, I spent a lot of time imagining what it would be like to set up camp in a secluded spot and live there. Luckily, I never had to … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Nowhere Island,’ by Tania Unsworth, cover by Kimberley Walker.
There is a slowly increasing range of scary books for middle grade readers to enjoy - supply is finally catching up with demand! In my experience, it has always been tricky to find a ‘horror’ title which is scary but not too scary. ‘Shiver Point’ fits the bill nicely as it’s just the right balance … Continue reading Holiday read #1: ‘Shiver Point: It Came From the Woods,’ by Gabriel Dylan.
Recently, the children I work with have become fascinated by a couple of old magic sets we have available for break times. Watching them try and master the ‘cup and ball’ trick or to guess my card has really brought home to me the power of magic to inspire awe and wonder. And those are … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Wonder Brothers,’ by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton.
I am sure that lots of you will already have read, and loved, Kelly’s ‘Front Desk’ series. If you’re wanting more of her poignant, prejudice-confronting, and heart-warming writing, you need to take a look at ‘Finally Seen.’ Luckily for you, I have an extract of the second chapter for you enjoy! (Scroll down) “A gripping … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Finally Seen,’ by Kelly Yang.
This book immediately jumped to the top of my to-be-read pile when it arrived. Due the nature of the children I work with, and the anxiety my son suffers from, I was intrigued to read a middle grade title which primarily focusses on that theme and is drawn, partly, from the author’s own experiences. ‘Josh … Continue reading ‘Worrybot’ by Simon Packham, illustrated by Lucy Mulligan.
Library Girl and Book Boy 