Case: The Disappearing Diamond Detective: Sherlock Holmes Location: Baker Street Academy Status: Top Secret! Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for the fabulous Sherlock Holmes! After arriving late, new boy, John Watson, was dreading his first day at Baker Street Academy. His fears soon disappeared as his buddy for the day, Martha, introduced … Continue reading ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Disappearing Diamond,’ by Sam Hearn.
Have you ever dreamed of flying through the clouds on the back of a ferocious flame-throwing beast? Then this handbook is the thing for you... This fabulously interactive book written as a 'non-fiction' guide to raising, caring for and training your pet dragon. It boasts an impressive range of pop-ups, flaps and fold-outs hidden with the … Continue reading ‘The Dragon Keeper’s Handbook,’ by Katie Haworth, illustrated by Monica Armino.
I know they say you shouldn't judge books by their covers, but this one was calling out to me from across the bookshop. It truly is a thing of great beauty! Written by the masterful Neil Gaiman and illustrated by the Children's Laureate, Chris Riddell, you would be right to expect great things from this … Continue reading ‘Odd and the Frost Giants,’ by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Chris Riddell.
'You are cordially invited to attend the grand opening of Sinclair's Department Store.' This is the first in a brilliant series of mystery books set around the magnificent Sinclair's Department Store. To enter Sinclair's is to enter a world of perfumed air, bonbons, elegant clothes and murder! Just before the grand opening of London's newest … Continue reading ‘The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow,by Katherine
I was very excited when I discovered that Macmillan's Children's Books were publishing a new hardback edition of this book. I have very fond memories of listening to this on story cassette when I was little. Gobbolino was born in the darkness of a witch's cave but was miserable with his job of being a … Continue reading ‘Gobbolino the Witch’s Cat,’ by Ursula Moray Williams, illustrated by Catherine Rayner.
Whilst my mum was having a Christmas clear out, she discovered a book I used to love as a child (The Bears' Christmas by Stan and Jan Berenstain, if you're interested!) This got me thinking about other books I loved when I was little, and here's what I came up with: Some of them have … Continue reading A Trip Down Memory Lane
My last festive review for the year, but a great one. There's still time to grab yourself a copy before the big day. Princess Eliza is an inventor. There's nothing she likes better than making new gadgets and toys but her parents would rather she was out making new friends. Eliza tries hard to make … Continue reading ‘The Princess and the Christmas Rescue,’ by Caryl Hart and Sarah Warburton.
I've shared the picture books that my nearest and dearest can expect to receive this year, now here are my purchases for older readers... Santa Claude by Alex.T.Smith My favourite dog and his sock sidekick, Sir Bobblysock, are back in a festive adventure. Upon hearing a strange noise in their chimney, Claude and Sir Bobblysock … Continue reading Cracking Christmas Reads!
I thought you might like to have a sneaky peek at the picture books my Christmas elves will be delivering to my family and friends this year. There are so many brilliant new releases out there, it was hard to decide what to buy but I finally decided on these! Otto the Book Bear in … Continue reading A Picture Perfect Christmas
A Pictorial Compendium of Natural Wonders. Have you ever wondered what the deepest land animal is? Or questioned what the largest herbivorous dinosaur was? This beautiful compendium of superlatives will give you all the answers. Featuring intricately detailed illustrations which allow for plenty of studying by young explorers, this book really is a visual delight. … Continue reading ‘Highest Mountain Deepest Ocean,’illustrated by Page Tsou.
"When a child loves you...REALLY loves you, then you become REAL." This beautifully re-illustrated volume is the first title in a new series if classics for Nosy Crow Publishers. The gorgeous fully-foiled cloth binding and cover make it the perfect Christmas gift for old and new fans alike. Fed-up of being teased by Boy's mechanical … Continue reading ‘The Velveteen Rabbit,’ by Margery Williams, illustrated by Sarah Massini.
I think books which encourage interaction from their readers are the best kinds of books. You don't get much more interactive than building your own dragon! As well as providing you with the chance to build a dragon, this book is also a goldmine of information about the history physiology of dragons. Presented like a … Continue reading ‘Build the Dragon,’ from Templar Publishing.
I was absolutely thrilled to have been sent a copy of this amazing book as I love unusual non-fiction texts. 'Midnight Creatures,' certainly ticks that box! This magical book encourages children to grab and touch and switch on their imaginations as they explore the creatures hiding in the shadows of five different habitats. They can … Continue reading ‘Midnight Creatures – A Pop-up Shadow Search,’ by Helen Friel.
To celebrate the cinematic release of J.K. Rowling's 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,' Buster Books have very generously given me a beautiful hardback edition of their monstrous colouring book, 'The Book of Beasts.' It's absolutely packed with brilliant illustrations of mythical and magical creatures from around the globe, with fascinating facts about them … Continue reading ‘The Book of Beasts – Colour and Discover’ Giveaway
Stockton is a very clever cat and he knows it. Playing the violin, juggling, rhythmic gymnastics, all come easily to him. But knitting? Now that's a different matter entirely! Stockton has a very fancy party to go to and he simply must knit himself a fancy scarf to wear. If he's as good at knitting … Continue reading ‘I Am a Very Clever Cat,’ by Kasia Matyjaszek.
Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot... I am very excited to feature 'Black Powder' on the blog as I'm lucky enough to have Ally Sherrick visiting my school to work with Year 5 very soon. Watch out for a special post next week! This explosive novel whisks the reader back in … Continue reading ‘Black Powder, ‘ by Ally Sherrick, illustrated by Alexis Snell.
Alma Classics have sent me this lovely re-illustrated version of a childhood classic - The Railway Children. After the unexpected disappearance of their father, Bobbie, Phyllis and Peter have to leave their comfortable lives in London to move to a small cottage in the countryside with their mother. As mother struggles to make ends meet by writing … Continue reading ‘The Railway Children,’ by E. Nesbit, illustrated by Peter Bailey.
The perfect autumnal read for leaf-lovers everywhere! The Little Adventurers are having a 'Bring in a Pet Day' but Sprat can't find his black cat, Shadow, anywhere. Determined not to be left out, Sprat uses his imagination and creates a pet that no-one is going to have - Leafy the Pet Leaf. As all his … Continue reading ‘Little Adventurers – Leafy the Pet Leaf,’ by Philip Ardagh and Elissa Elwick.
Where you go, who you meet, what you do next - it's all up to you... This brilliant, interactive book provides budding writers with up to 3 billion different story combinations - say goodbye to cries of: 'But, I don't know what to write about!' Follow the story path through the pages, deciding where to … Continue reading ‘Story Path,’ by Madalena Matoso.
Library Girl and Book Boy 