Bridget is back in another cake-flinging, chaos-creating adventure! This whole joyful series is a treat for readers, and don’t worry if you haven’t read the other instalments yet; there’s enough backstory woven in for newbies to pick up what is going on. “Bridget Vanderpuff is the Best Worst Baker in the World. A recipe for … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Bridget Vanderpuff and the Monster Mountain Mystery,’ by Martin Stewart, illustrated by David Habben.
Welcome to the second stop on the time travelling Silver Express on an exhilarating journey through Egyptian history and culture with Laila Rifaat, author of the Aliya series. Make sure you read the fascinating letter from Aliya to her Geddo (grandfather) describing Egyptian clothing and fashions. Visit the other blogs on the tour for more … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Aliya Aboard the Time Train,’ by Laila Rifaat, cover by Gaia Alessi.
Have you ever wondered what your dog gets up to when it runs off into the woods after a ball and doesn’t return for hours? Perhaps they’re busy solving mysteries like Peggy and her loyal sidekick, Stu the Shrew! This fun full-colour series is aimed at budding detectives aged 5 and up. ‘Peggy & Stu … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Tangletree Mysteries,’ by Steve Roberts & Joel Stewart.
Today, I’ve been Time Travelling With a Tortoise as I join Al on a mission to set right the ripples his time-travelling escapades have caused in the multiverse. A great sequel to Time Travelling With a Hamster by @rosswelford Cover by #TomClohosyCole “Al Chaudhury travelled back in time to save his father’s life. And it … Continue reading Holiday Reads: ‘Time Travelling With a Tortoise,’ by Ross Welford.
My first holiday read was this whimsical tale from Hilary McKay. Featuring cats, magic, and the beautiful city of Venice, there is so much to enjoy. I’d like a second instalment to see what happens next for Rosa. #RosaByStarlight ✨ Gorgeous cover & illustrations by @keithrobinson.illustrator @macmillankidsuk “Rosa lives in a world where she discovers … Continue reading Holiday reads: ‘Rosa by Starlight,’ by Hilary McKay.
Traditional folk tales are a continual source of entertainment and inspiration, embellished and ever-evolving as they were passed on from generation to generation. What Fayers has cleverly done is add her own contemporary twist to collection of stories originating from Wales. “A wealth of Welsh myths, legends and ghost stories are reimagined for contemporary younger … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Welsh Giants, Ghosts & Goblins,’ by Claire Fayers, cover by Becka Moor.
I have been asked on a number of occasions for picture books which explore parental separation or divorce, and it’s a request I’ve always found quite difficult to fulfil. Thankfully, the publication of ‘Roots of Love’ has made that search an awful lot easier! “Tia has had the best day ever, until her parents tell … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Roots of Love,’ by Sarah Asuquo, illustrated by Ruthine Burton.
Are you looking for a super-smart whodunnit for tween readers? Look no further than the latest thrilling title from Sharna Jackson! “Last night Wesley and his friends Josephine and Margot threw their neighbour Rachel a surprise birthday party. This morning, Rachel is dead. And Wesley is the one who finds her body. Rachel's friends throw a … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Nine Night Mystery,’ by Sharna Jackson, cover by Bex Glendining.
I’m thrilled to be showcasing a fantastic debut sci-fi adventure from Sarah Merrett. I was completely hooked in by the isolated setting of the observatory which Reuben and Grandma call home, and intrigued by just why Rueben was forbidden from venturing beyond the walls of the grounds. Sarah has written a wonderful piece about how … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Others,’ by Sarah Merrett, cover by Holly Ovenden.
The teacher in me is thrilled to finally have a quality chapter book centred around the days leading up to the legendary eruption of Mount Vesuvius and the end of the city of Pompeii. ‘Delta and the Lost City’ is told from the perspective of a young wolf-dog and focuses on the growing tumult in … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Delta and the Lost City,’ by Anna Fargher, illustrated by David Dean.
Introducing the second adventure in the Pirate Acadmey series - Missing at Sea. This series is actually set in the same swashbuckling world as VAMPIRATES but they can be read independently of each other. Pirate Academy is set five years earlier but there are some cross-over characters, including ‘golden boy’ Jacoby. Author, Justin Somper, has … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Pirate Academy: Missing at Sea,’ by Justin Somper, illustrated by Teo Staffa.
The Klaus Flugge Prize honours publisher Klaus Flugge, an influential figure in picture books, and the founder of publishing house Andersen Press. It was founded in 2016 and recognises a published picture book by a debut illustrator. Today, I’m spotlighting one of the nominees for this year’s Klaus Flugge Prize: Bia Melo, creator of ‘The Dream Book.’ … Continue reading Klaus Flugge Prize nominee: Bia Melo.
Polly Ho-Yen is an author whom you can trust to write stories you are going to want to read. They have such heart and always leave me thinking. ‘The Last Dragon’ is no exception. “Yara has only glimpsed the last dragon on Earth twice. She’s got other things to worry about: her sister is in … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Last Dragon,’ by Polly Ho-Yen, illustrated by Charis Loke.
I was thrilled to receive a copy of this brand new Dino adventure for middle grade readers. Unused to be impossible to get good quality dinosaur fiction once readers wanted something wordier than picture books, but now they’re very lucky to have a growing number of titles to choose from - ‘Sar Wylda’ being one … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Sar Wylda and the Legendary Goldbreaker,’ by Jake R. Wilson, illustrated by Kimberley Laura Walker.
Yeehaw! It’s time to saddle-up and head to your nearest bookshop to bag yourself a copy of Jodie Lancet-Grant’s new book! “Buffalo Lil and Buffalo Jill look just the same, but they're as different as an apple pie and a desert cactus. The folks of Lone Ridge love sweet, smilin' Jill, but think Lil's too … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Legend of the Wild West Twins,’ by Jodie Lancet-Grant, illustrated by Katie Cottle.
I was so pleased to see a sequel to the original Greenwild adventure. I loved the lush setting of this world full of green magic and plants sprouting delicious treats. This time, readers are whisked away beneath the waves as Daisy and her friends seek out her kidnapped mother. “Daisy Thistledown is on a mission. … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Greenwild – the City Beyond the Sea,’ by Pari Thomson, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli.
I’m always on the look out for bold and beautiful books which encourage children to celebrate being themselves. I use them a lot with the children I work with to help boost confidence and build self-esteem. It looks as though ‘The Rainbow Flamingo’ is one that I need to add to my collection! “This one … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Rainbow Flamingo,’ by Catherine Emmett, illustrated by Claire Powell.
Today I’m spotlighting a brand new chapter book for newly confident readers: ‘The Narzat.’ Full of laughs, adventures, and a curious cast of characters! Make sure to read author Luke Marchant’s piece about creating villains. Every hero needs a good villain to go up against! “The Narzat lives in the Jumble Jungle Wood with his … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Narzat,’ by Luke Marchant, illustrated by Rory Walker.
I love Catherine’s writing so was excited to have been sent an early copy of this to read back in March. However, it is just about to fly the Nosy Crow nest and out into the world for everyone else to get swept away with. “After the tragic death of his mother, eleven year old … Continue reading ‘Bird Boy,’ by Catherine Bruton, cover by Oriol Vidal.
Lucy Strange is one of those authors whose books always get moved straight to the top of my ‘to be read’ pile. Imagine my delight when a rather special package dropped through my letterbox… “Abandoned at a boarding school on a bleak and remote Scottish island, Faye discovers that she and the other pupils have … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Island at the Edge of Night,’ by Lucy Strange.
Library Girl and Book Boy 