Today I’m delighted to be part of the blog tour for the very beautiful ‘The Tide’ which captures a child’s perspective on her grandfather’s memory loss. I also have a special piece from Clare about using picture books to promote resilience and positive mental health. This is a story about a little girl, her grandfather … Continue reading ‘The Tide,’ by Clare Helen Welsh, illustrated by Ashling Lindsay.
This is a post for any of you planning to mark Refugee Week 2019 by raising awareness and promoting discussion about acceptance, kindness and refugees in your schools or homes. The books I’m going to share with you should be explored all year round, but I thought a special week may be … Continue reading National Refugee Week 2019 (17th-23rd June)
It was with great interest that I read this title because it has been written in collaboration with Libby Scott, the 11-year-old girl whose piece of writing, ‘The Life of a Perfectionist,’ about being autistic went viral in 2018. ‘Can You See Me?’ is a blend of narrative story and diary entries written by Libby … Continue reading ‘Can You See Me?’ by Libby Scott & Rebecca Westcott, type design by Aaron Cushley.
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.
Today is my stop on the blog tour for ‘The Middler,’ the epic debut middle grade novel by Kirsty’s Applebaum. Make sure you read her exclusive piece about how her own childhood influenced her story. Maggie lives a quiet, protected life in the self-isolated town of Fennis Wick. Her whole world for the eleven years … Continue reading ‘The Middler,’ by Kirsty Applebaum – with guest post! Cover by Matt Saunders.
Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for the wild and snow-filled ‘She Wolf’ by Dan Smith. Northumbria, 886. Life is harsh. You need to be tough to survive. This is a lesson Ylva has to learn very quickly when her mother is murdered by a three-fingered man, leaving her alone in the world … Continue reading ‘She Wolf,’ by Dan Smith, cover by Jill Calder.
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.
I am honoured to be part of the blog tour for ‘Will You Catch Me?’ which has been scheduled to help raise awareness of International Children Of Alcoholics Week (11th-17th February) organised by the NACOA. Inspired by her own childhood experiences of alcohol abuse, Elson penned this title to help highlight the turmoil of those … Continue reading ‘Will You Catch Me?’ by Jane Elson.
A flying machine, a murder and terrible danger.... Listen to me chat to author, Fleur Hitchcock about all this and more on the latest blog tour episode of my Library Girl And Book Boy podcast (available on all good listening platforms!) Athan Wilde has a dream - he dreams of soaring through the air in … Continue reading ‘The Boy Who Flew,’ by Fleur Hitchcock, cover by Ben Mantle.
An orphan girl, a wealthy stranger and many alternate realities.... Tess De Sousa has grown up in Ackerbee’s Home for Lost and Foundlings, but with her passion for scientific experimentation and pet tarantula, Violet, Tess is not your average orphan. Her arrival at the home was shrouded in mystery - left on the doorstep with … Continue reading ‘The Star-Spun Web,’ by Sinéad O’Hart, cover by Sara Mulvanny.
A mix of myth, magic and fast-paced adventure. Storm of Odin is the youngest storm hound in the Wild Hunt which tears across lightning-filled skies, snapping and howling. Tonight’s the first night he’s been allowed to run with the rest of the pack. But something’s not right, he’s faking behind and before he knows it, he’s … Continue reading ‘Storm Hound,’ by Claire Fayers, cover by Becka Moor.
Brown paper packages tied up with string, these are a few of my favourite things. Especially when they contain books as wonderful as Little Bird Flies! That’s why I’m so delighted to be part of its blog tour, with not only a review, but also an exclusive interview recorded with Karen especially for my podcast … Continue reading ‘Little Bird Flies,’ by Karen McCombie, cover by Jasu Hu.
Being good all the time’s not working. Maybe it’s time to try being bad.... Today is my stop on the blog tour for the just-released ‘When Good Geeks Go Bad’ by comedian Catherine Wilkins, where good girl Ella decides it might just be time to try being bad. Ella is fed up of toeing the … Continue reading ‘When Good Geeks Go Bad,’ by Catherine Wilkins, cover by Joel Holland.
Following on from the success of their first picture book collaboration, ‘You’re Safe With Me,’ Soundar and Mistry have created another beautiful title in the series. The story begins at the start of winter when two polar bear cubs are born in their icy den. Their mama bear promises to keep them warm and snug … Continue reading ‘You’re Snug With Me,’ by Chitra Soundar and Poonam Mistry.
Mermaids have had a real surge of popularity recently but most titles have been for younger readers or overly sugary and sweet. ‘The Girl with the Shark’s Teeth’ is definitely neither of those things... Minnow had always known she was different from the other children in her town - her powerful affinity with the water, … Continue reading Festive Read #3 ‘The Girl With The Shark’s Teeth,’ by Cerrie Burnell, illustrations by Sandra Dieckmann.
Now I had been saving this book to read whilst snuggled up in the Christmas holidays as I knew Millwood Hargrave’s writing was going to whisk me away to an enchanted, frozen landscape and I wanted to savour it. Going to the in-laws’ to sit by their log fire was the perfect opportunity. Mila lives … Continue reading Festive read #2 ‘The Way Past Winter,’ by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, cover by Helen Crawford-White.
You know when Nicola Davies releases a new book that it’s going to be something a little bit special. ‘The Dog That Saved Christmas’ looks at Christmas from an entirely different perspective and certainly made me stop and think. For Jake, Christmas is a terrible time of year. The lights are too bright, the decorations … Continue reading ‘The Dog That Saved Christmas,’ by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Mike Byrne.
Three sisters, three magical objects, one family curse. Need I say more? I knew from the off that I was going to love this book, and I wasn’t disappponted! The Widdershins sisters live in The Poacher’s Pocket In on the marshy isle of Crowstone with their granny - the formidable Bunny. The story begins on … Continue reading ‘A Pinch Of Magic,’ by Michelle Harrison, cover by Melissa Castrillon
The Snow Sisters series is sure to be a hit with fans of the Disney hit, Frozen. It features three sisters with special magical powers. They live in a castle on the island of Nordovia where their family has the important role of Keepers of the Light. The Silver Secret (Book 1) In the first … Continue reading The ‘Snow Sisters’ series by Astrid Foss, cover by Sharon Tancredi, illustrated by Monique Dong.
Library Girl and Book Boy 