Book Boy is really enjoying graphic novels at the moment. His latest discover is the ‘Hilda’ series. This is fantastic news as there are several other graphic novels, a fiction series and a Netflix show to delve into. But let me share Hilda’s latest adventure with you: After being grounded for sneaking out and discovering … Continue reading ‘Hilda and the Mountain King,’ by Luke Pearson.
A palace, a jewel thief and a daring escape! These are the main ingredients of Waterstones’ Children’s Book of the Month: ‘The Girl Who Stoke an Elephant’ - debut novel of Nizrana Farook. Make sure you read to the bottom of the post to find this blog’s treasure hunt clue! Chaya doesn’t fit with her … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘The Girl Who Stole an Elephant,’ by Nizrana Farook, cover by David Dean.
My first read of the new year was ‘Little Bird Lands,’ which is the sequel to last year’s ‘Little Bird Flies.’ A story which followed Bridie and her family as they scratched out a living on the remote Scottish Island of Tornish before the arrival of a new lord caused terrible trouble and disruption. You … Continue reading ‘Little Bird Lands,’ by Karen McCombie, cover by Jasu Hu.
Welcome to 2020, everyone! I am exc yes to share more of the bookish delights you can expect to not over the coming year. If you still have book tokens burning a hole in your pocket, I would highly recommended my last read of 2019 and my first review of the new decade: Darkwhispers. Ever … Continue reading ‘Darkwhispers,’ by Vashti Hardy, cover by George Ermos.
I had been saving Frostheart for one of my Christmas holiday reads as I wanted to be able to fully enjoy reading it and immerse myself in its world. It was definitely worth the wait. Ash has never really fitted in with the rest of the Fira people, being passed from one guardian to the … Continue reading ‘Frostheart,’ by Jamie Littler.
I was thrilled to receive a copy of ‘The Conspiracy of Magic,’ because it would give me another opportunity to dive into the magical world of Cass (whom I first met in The Company of Eight.) Things have taken an icier turn with sorcerers and magicians beginning to rebel against the ban on magic. Cass … Continue reading ‘The Conspiracy of Magic,’ by Harriet Whitehorn, cover by Maria Surducan.
#BookBoy is a huge fan of exploring and planning his own mini expeditions so is always very interested in any books I receive which have an ‘adventuring’ theme. I’m going to share four with you which he has enjoyed delving into. ‘Adventures on Earth’ by Simon Tyler (Pavilion) This wonderful book is absolutely packed with … Continue reading Calling all Adventurers!
Sibéal Pounder has imagined what would happen next, following on Eva Ibbotson’s classic tale ‘The Secret Of Platform 13.’ Get ready to revisit The Island Of Mist and its magical inhabitants. When Lina was dragged to the train station by her parents to visit her aunt in Salzburg, the last thing she expected was to … Continue reading ‘Beyond Platform 13,’ by Sibéal Pounder & Eva Ibbotson, illustrated by Beatriz Castro.
Flat Stanley is the classic tale of a boy who’s as flat as a pancake and now it’s available in a new picture book version for younger fans to enjoy! When Arthur Lambchop alerts his parents to an accident which has occurred in the bedroom he shares with his brother Stanley, they seem more concerned … Continue reading ‘Flat Stanley’ – the picture book edition by Jeff Brown, illustrated by Rob Biddulph.
I am a huge fan of Chris Ridell’s work - stories and illustrations - so imagine my excitement when I discovered he was writing a brand new magical adventure series AND that I was invited to be part of its blog tour! The Kingdom Of Thrynne is a place of ancient magic, but those seen … Continue reading “The Cloud Horse Chronicles: Guardians Of Magic,” by Chris Riddell.
This is a book for anyone who used to while away the hours as a childhood immersed in an imaginary world or playing made up games with rules nobody outside your circle of friends would understand. I had the pleasure of interviewing Jenny about these very things for my Library Girl and Book Boy podcast, … Continue reading ‘The Land of Roar,’ by Jenny McLachlan, illustrated by Ben Mantle.
Today’s my turn to tip, shake and turn on the Save the Day for Ada May! blog tour. Not only am I sharing my and Book Boy Junior’s review of the book, I also have an exclusive Q&A with the story’s illustrator, Patrick Corrigan. I’m very pleased to be highlighting the book’s illustrator as so … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Save the Day for Ada May!’ by Elizabeth Dale, illustrated by Patrick Corrigan.
After the success of her debut novel, ‘Mold and the Poison Plot, Lorraine is back with her second title: ‘The Maker Of Monsters.’ Fans of her first book will not be disappointed; there’s still the warmth and wit of Mold, interlaced with a layer of lurking menace and fear! The story begins with Brat, isolated … Continue reading ‘The Maker Of Monsters,’ by Lorraine Gregory, illustrations by Meg Hunt.
*Winner of the Blue Peter Book Award 2020* After reading and loving Vashti’s debut novel, Brightstorm, it was with much anticipation and excitement that I awaited a copy of her newest adventure ‘WildSpark.’ A whole new world and its inhabitants awaited me. Prue lives on a farm with her Ma and Pa, spending her time … Continue reading ‘WildSpark,’ by Vashti Hardy, cover by George Ermos.
For those of you who think back wistfully to your own childhood days of devouring book-upon-book of The Secret Seven or The Famous Five but are perhaps looking for alternatives more in line with contemporary views, then the new Cliff Toppers series by Fleur Hitchcock could be just the thing you’re after. For cousins Aiden, … Continue reading ‘Cliff Toppers: The Arrowhead Moor Adventure,’ by Fleur Hitchcock, cover by Tom Clohosy Cole.
Today is my stop on the blog tour for ‘Boot: Little Robot Big Adventure,’ the first in a brand new series of highly-illustrated chapter books. I defy you not to fall in love with the rather adorable robot, Boot! Toy robot, Boot, wakes up in a scrapyard with a crack in his face and no … Continue reading ‘Boot: Small Robot Big Adventure,’ by Shane Hegarty, illustrated by Ben Mantle.
Sometimes when children get to the point of being able to confidently read independently they enjoy the challenge of a book which is still highly-illustrated but has more text in it. This is when it's time to reach for some of the brilliant first chapter books which are now available. These are often based on … Continue reading First Chapter Books
Today my blog is the port of call for the Malamander blog tour. Get ready to set sail for the quaint seaside town of Eerie-on-Sea. At first glance, Eerie-on-Sea appears to be just like any other seaside town. But this is a town shrouded in legend and mystery - when night falls and the mist … Continue reading ‘Malamander,’ by Thomas Taylor, cover by George Ermos.
Today is my stop on the blog tour for ‘The Fire Maker,’ a story of magic tricks, genies and dangerous ambition. Alex’s life is consumed by his love of magic and his quest to win Young Magician Of The Year which is being judged by one of his idols, Jack Keller. Despite being teased at … Continue reading ‘The Fire Maker,’ by Guy Jones, cover by Helen Crawford-White.
It’s here. The final instalment in the brilliant ‘Who Let The Gods Out?’ series by writing wizard and all round fabulous person, Maz Evans. This book dives straight into a monumental battle between good and evil and Elliot is forced to collect the final Chaos Stone from the burning River Phlegethon by crazed Daemon of … Continue reading ‘Against All Gods,’ by Maz Evans, illustrations by Aleksei Bitskoff.
Library Girl and Book Boy 