This is a gorgeously-illustrated book about the importance of looking for the positives when things don’t go as you’d hoped. Pip and Parker highlight the value of friendship when the going gets tough. Make sure you read creator Fiona Woodcock’s piece about how she had the initial idea for this title about two friends with … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Silver Linings,’ by Fiona Woodcock.
This is my first read of 2023 and I had high hopes based on what I’d read online. I wasn’t definitely not disappointed - I read the whole book in a day as I was so caught up to Sashi’s story. ‘FACT: Octopuses have three hearts. FACT: Octopuses have BEAKS, like BIRDS. FACT: The octopus … Continue reading ‘The Octopus, Dadu and Me,’ by Lucy Ann Unwin, cover by Selom Sunu, illustrations by Lucy Mulligan.
Oh my goodness. Book Boy and I have been eagerly awaiting for the second instalment of Scarlett and Albert’s adventures (see my review of the first in the trilogy HERE) and now it’s here! This post also features a special piece by author, Jonathan Stroud, about the key roles and characters of the landscapes within … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Notorious Scarlett and Browne,’ by Jonathan Stroud, cover by Tom Clohosy Cole.
You are in for an absolute treat if you decide to pick up this outstanding debut from Lisette Auton. And you definitely should! I was Haven Point's first Wreckling, but I certainly wasn't the last. There are forty-two of us now, not including the mermaids. When you're a Wreckling, you mainly spend your days squabbling, … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Secret of Haven Point,’ by Lisette Auton, illustrated by Valentina Toro.
“Frank and Bert are the best of friends and they LOVE to play hide and seek. But Bert the bear isn't quite as good at hiding as he thinks he is . . . and Frank ALWAYS wins! Every. Single. Time. But when it's Bert's turn to hide, and Frank has to decide between winning … Continue reading ‘Frank and Bert,’ by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros.
There’s a brand new look and a brand new title for Tom Percival’s Dream Defender series. Erika and the Anger Mare was originally released as Dream Team: Attack of the Heebie Jeebies , whilst Chandra and the Devious Doubt was previously released as Dream Team: A Case of the Jitters. Presumably these changes were made … Continue reading The ‘Dream Defenders’ series by Tom Percival.
Today I’m kicking off the blog tour for a brand new title by award-winning novelist Sita Brahmachari. ‘When Shadows Fall’ pis a powerful exploration of grief, exclusion, and friendship for teen readers told in prose and free verse. There are also stunning illustrated pages and sections throughout which echo the story’s theme of the therapeutic … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘When Shadows Fall,’ by Sita Brahmachari, illustrated by Natalie Sirett.
I was immediately intrigued when I opened up this package. I hadn’t read any tween books set in this particular time period and was looking forward to the dual narrative structure of the story. ‘What would you risk for a friend you've never met . . . ? In 1960s Berlin the Wall is everywhere. … Continue reading ‘The Boy Behind the Wall,’ by Maximillian Jones.
Blue Peter award-winning author Vashti Hardy is back with another thrilling adventure. If you loved Brightstorm or Wildspark, you won’t want to miss this! Ironhold is an orderly place where "industry brings prosperity", and where nature is pushed aside for progress. But when Orin Crowfall, a lowly servant boy, learns that the island itself is in … Continue reading ‘Crowfall,’ by Vashti Hardy, cover by George Ermos.
Today’s my stop on the Bumble & Snug blog tour. I’m always on the look out for new graphic novels and this one’s especially good as it’s suitable for readers aged 5+ “Bumble and Snug are going on an epic journey - well, they're going for a picnic... But when they get lost, these little … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Bumble & Snug and the Angry Pirates,’ by Mark Bradley.
Today’s my stop on the blog tour for the awesome ‘Felix Unlimited.’ By the end of the first chapter, I was completely hooked! Felix is no ordinary boy. With the help of his friends, he's started his own business, and he soon has thousands of pounds stashed under his bed. But it's not all smooth … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Felix Unlimited,’ by Andrew Norriss, cover by Sarah Horne.
Today, I’m sharing a really beautiful story written as a result of Karl’s recent experience of going through chemotherapy and having friends old and new reach out to him in support. ‘Some friends need a great big hug to make them feel well. Some prefer to be alone. Some listen, others tell the most adventurous … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘How to Mend a Friend,’ by Karl Newson, illustrated by Clara Anganuzzi.
Well I’m not going to lie. I’m a card-carrying member of the Crater Lake fan club so I’d been counting down to its sequel ever since I learnt there was going to be one. I couldn’t wait to see what had happened to Lance and the gang after they survived the Crater Lake school trip … Continue reading ‘Crater Lake – Evolution,’ by Jennifer Killick.
You know that when you start a new Frank Cottrell-Boyce that you’re going to be in for a treat. I wasn’t disappointed when I cracked open the cover of ‘Noah’s Gold’ and hopped aboard the minibus with the pupils of St Anthony’s. ‘Eleven-year old Noah sneaks along on his big sister's geography field trip. Everything … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Noah’s Gold,’ by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton.
Today I am sharing a wild, enchanting adventure steeped in the ancient magic of nature, written by award-winning novelist Melissa Harrison. Her books have the common purpose of trying to connect readers with the natural world and this is her children’s novel debut for readers aged 9+ ‘Three tiny, ancient beings - Moss, Burnet and … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘By Ash, Oak and Thorn,’ by Melissa Harrison, illustrated by Lauren O’Hara.
Today I’m sharing a brilliant debut novel by Helen Harvey: Emmy Levels Up. It’s a fantastic story about gaming, friendship and standing up for yourself. I also have Helen’s top three gaming recommendations for children AND for adults. ‘Emmy is brilliant at the computer game, Illusory Isles. Her avatar is a powerful fire elemental with … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Emmy Levels Up,’ by Helen Harvey, cover by Abbey Lossing.
Today’s my stop on the ‘Beauty and the Bin’ blog tour. It’s a new middle grade title about reducing food waste, friendship and being true to yourself. Make sure you scroll down to read Joanne’s piece about how to be a young eco-warrior. Laurie's home-made beauty recipes are no secret. The secret is that her … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Beauty and the Bin,’ by Joanne O’Connell.
I loved the first Scribble Witch title so was delighted to be asked to review book three. The highly-illustrated pages and wonderful word-play engage young readers from the get-go. ‘Molly often experiences some magic to brighten up her school day - thanks to Notes, the tiny paper witch who lives in her pen pot. Notes … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Scribble Witch: Paper Friends,’ by Inky Willis.
With swathes of the country already enjoying some snow and with more promised, why not make the most of it as part of home learning and get children outside and enjoying themselves? This clever picture book lends itself brilliantly to some screen-free science (states of matter, the water cycle...) and also raises some interesting questions … Continue reading ‘The Snowman and the Sun,’ by Susan Taghdis, illustrated by Ali Mafakheri, translated from Persian by Azita Rassi.
Introducing the first in a brand new series of hilarious middle grade titles from author Nat Luurtsema. ‘10-year-old Opie Jones is Very Ordinary. In fact nothing remarkable has ever happened to her, if you don’t count the cat that gives her funny looks from next door (which she doesn’t). So she is naturally very surprised … Continue reading Blog Tour: ‘Opie Jones Talks to Animals,’ by Nat Luurtsema, illustrated by Fay Austin.
Library Girl and Book Boy 