It was with much anticipation that I cracked open the covers of ‘Storm,’ the third and final installment in the epic The Huntress trilogy featuring daring and courageous Mouse with her loyal crew. Following the breath-taking rescue of her father from the evil mystiks, Mouse is holed up in Hackles, the Sky fortress. When a … Continue reading ‘The Huntress: Storm,’ by Sarah Driver, cover by Ray Tierney, map illustration by Joe McLaren.
I am very excited to see more fantastic stories from around the world being translated into English so that we can enjoy them in this country too. It’s very important to value work from other counties and cultures, as well as our own. That’s why I was so pleased when Firefly Press gave me Dog … Continue reading ‘Dog Town,’ by Luīze Pastore, illustrated by Reinis Pētersons, translated by Žanete Vēvere Pasqualini.
Father’s Day is always the perfect opportunity to buy a new book for daddies and little ones to snuggle up with. As fate would have it, Raj dropped through my letterbox just in time. Raj and Dad are very excited about heading off on an adventure and have big plans and a long list. All … Continue reading ‘Raj and the Best Day Ever!’ By Seb Braun.
Welcome to my leg of the Eric the Spider book tour, where I’m celebrating all things eight-legged! Created by the team of Elaine and Shaun Madle, you get three stories for the price of one in this great book. The first is: The Adventures Of Eric. One day, Eric the Spider makes a dash from … Continue reading ‘The Adventures Of Eric the Spider,’ by Elaine Madle, illustrated by Shaun Madle.
“The world is filled with millions of miracles that no one sees.” Max finds life at St. Goliath’s difficult for a range of reasons - being made to sit on the ‘SPECIAL SEAT’ during assemblies, the constant noise and chaos. None of this made it easy for Max, with his hearing aids, to fit in … Continue reading ‘Max and the Millions,’ by Ross Montgomery, cover by David Litchfield.
I am delighted to tell you that ‘Ottoline and the Purple Fox,’ is now available to paperback! I am even more thrilled to tell you that I have a full signed paperback and print set for one lucky follower to win! Ottoline and her hairy companion, Mr Munroe, were busy planning a dinner party when … Continue reading ‘Ottoline and the Purple Fox,’ by Chris Riddell.
I am delighted introduce to you the winner of the Stratford-Salariya Picture Book Prize. In a tale inspired by the stories from Asian folklore told to Camille during her childhood, ‘Luna and the Moon Rabbit’ tells the magical of a curious little girl seeking a moonlit adventure. When the mysterious Moon Rabbit arrives one night, … Continue reading ‘Luna and the Moon Rabbit,’ with a special post by Camille Whitcher on getting that one big break.
This stellar adventure is packed with pirates, circus boats and far-flung islands. In fact, everything you need for a thrilling read! Cass dreams of a life aboard Ravellous’s circus boat, making her living as an acrobat. With plans to audition when the boat arrives at Minaris, Cass is confident that a life of adventure awaits … Continue reading ‘The Company Of Eight,’ by Harriet Whitehorn, cover by Maria Surducan.
‘Sing your own song.’ Jamie and his family have relocated to the island of his mother’s birth, a remote and tiny island in the Outer Hebrides. Rugged and wild with surging tides, Jamie has never been happier living a wilder life. But he has a secret - he’s afraid of the sea. A chance meeting … Continue reading ‘To The Edge of the World,’ by Julia Green, cover by Helen Crawford-White.
When I was younger, I was a huge fan of the tv show, ‘Knightmare,’ and of the ‘choose your own path’ adventure books. So imagine my excitement when the newest Fighting Fantasy adventure popped through my letterbox! ’Part story, part game - you are the hero!’ Based on the successful Fighting Fantasy series by Steve … Continue reading ‘Fighting Fantasy: The Gates Of Death,’ by Charlie Higson, cover illustration by Robert Ball.
This is the third fangtastic instalment in the brilliant series about a sparky little vampire in a dark and gloomy world. In this adventure, Amelia and her pals: Florence the yeti, Grimaldi the Death and Prince Tangine, plus pet pumpkin, Squashy must bravely enter the terrifying Kingdom of Light to try to find Tangine’s missing mother, … Continue reading ‘Amelia Fang and the Unicorn Lords,’ by Laura Ellen Anderson.
Well according to the calendar, Spring has officially sprung and we can look forward to some glimmers of sunshine and possibly some Easter chocolate. If you are looking to give something a little longer-lasting and better for your teeth than an Easter egg, how about one of these bookish treats...? The First Egg Hunt by … Continue reading Spring has Sprung!
It seems like I’ve been waiting for a lifetime for the second instalment in James Nicol’s ‘The Apprentice Witch’ series. But now it’s here and I’ve read it! Well safe to say, I wasn’t disappointed! In this second book, things have taken a darker turn in the village of Lull with a host of supernatural … Continue reading ‘A Witch Alone,’ by James Nicol, illustration by Daniela Terrazzini.
I am very excited to have been asked to be an official cheerleader for one of the amazing nominees for 2018’s Children's Book Award. Organised by the Federation of Children’s Book Groups, these are the only awards where the nominees and winners are chosen entirely by children. The nominated book I’ve been asked to celebrate … Continue reading Children’s Book Award nominee – ‘The Explorer,’ by Katherine Rundell, illustrations by Hannah Horn.
Unicorns are currently riding high on a wave of popularity - there’s a constant queue of children clamouring for magical titles in our school library. That’s why I know they (and our librarian) will be delighted to learn about the sparkling new ‘Unicorn Academy’ series by Julie Sykes, illustrated by Lucy Truman and published by … Continue reading Unicorn Academy…Where Magic Happens.
I'm delighted to introduce you to a magical new series from author Hayley Daze and publisher Willow Tree Books. It features a range of cute and cuddly magical who whisk their human friends away for far-flung adventures. Cuddle the Magic Kitten - Magical Friends by Hayley Daze. The first story in the series sees new … Continue reading Magical First Chapter Books from Hayley Daze.
I have been lucky enough to read a flotilla of amazing adventure stories crafted by debut authors over the past few months. I think we’re currently in the midst of a period of absolutely fantastic children’s novels and the breath-taking ‘Brightstorm’ is one which really stood out. When twins, Arthur and Maudie, are told the … Continue reading ‘Brightstorm,’ by Vashti Hardy, cover by George Ermos.
This blog post is celebrating the fourth and final gripping instalment of The Inventory series - an action-packed bundle of books, crammed full with high-tech gadgetry and dastardly villains. Without giving too much away, Dev is struggling with having learnt the truth about his troubled past deep in the Black Zone of the Inventory. He … Continue reading ‘The Inventory: Winter Storm,’ by Andy Briggs with exclusive guest blog post!
I am absolutely thrilled to be hosting Sinéad O’Hart on my blog today! I absolutely loved ‘The Eye Of the North,’ an action-packed adventure frosted with magic. Emmeline has never left Widget Manor, but one day her scientist parents mysteriously disappear and she’s bundled onto a ship to Paris to stay in a safe house. Aboard … Continue reading ‘The Eye of the North’ Blog Tour with guest post from author, Sinead O’Hart.
I am thrilled that the magnificent ‘Sky Song’ is my first review of 2018. I scurried out to purchase it with my book tokens yesterday, read it into the New Year and finished it off today. It’s also just been revealed as Waterstones’ book of the month, so you know you’re in for a cracking … Continue reading ‘Sky Song,’ by Abi Elphinstone, cover by Daniela Terrazzini.
Library Girl and Book Boy 