This book is just a little bit special. It beautifully melds a touching story about the struggles between a mother and a daughter who’s growing up with a strong fantasy/ gaming theme. Unlike anything I’ve read before but totally enchanting. *UPDATE* Aisha’s wonderful book has just been nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2020 - … Continue reading ‘A Pocketful Of Stars,’ by Aisha Busby.
Introducing the perfect book to snuggle up under a blanket with now that Winter is drawing nearer. Lose yourself Siberian wilderness full of wolves, ice and magic - Nevertell. Lina has only ever known life inside the dangerous prison camp she was born in. Life is hard; the rations are meagre and the guards often … Continue reading ‘Nevertell,’by Katharine Orton, cover by Sandra Dieckmann.
Today’s my stop on the blog tour for ‘Shadow,’ Lucy’s first picture book. As well as a special about about the inspiration behind writing the story, I’ve also recorded a podcast interview with Lucy, talking in more detail about the themes and processes behind creating the book. Listen HERE. The girl and her Ma have … Continue reading ‘Shadow,’ by Lucy Christopher, illustrated by Anastasia Suvorova.
Lots of children love to be scared. If you happen to know one of them, they might just love one of these chilling chapter books suitable for readers aged 5+ ‘Isadora Moon Puts on a Show,’ by Harriet Muncaster (OUP) One of my favourite, glittery half-fairy, half-vampires is back in her tenth adventure. Isadora is … Continue reading Chilling Chapter Books…
After reading the magical Snowglobe, I couldn’t wait to read Amy’s newest title: ‘Shadows of Winterspell,’ which I read over the summer but have had to wait until nearer its publication date to review (17th October). Finally, the wait is almost over! Winterspell Forest inhabited by the magical fae folk and haunted by the dark … Continue reading ‘Shadows Of Winterspell,’ by Amy Wilson.
Today, I’m lucky enough to have a special piece from Ben Davis about his top ten fictional dogs in honour of Gizmo, the canine star of his own book: ‘What’s That in Dog Years?’ (OUP) I’ll let Ben fill you in on the plot of this gorgeous book, but if you want my review of … Continue reading ‘What’s That in Dog Years?’ By Ben Davis, illustrated by Julia Christians.
Having recently heard a lot of good things about ‘Lori and Max,’ I decided to make it my next read. I am pleased to report back that I wasn’t disappointed. Lori Mason wants to be a detective, but she keeps this very quiet at school because it’s not a good idea to be different. She’d … Continue reading ‘Lori and Max,’ by Catherine O’Flynn, cover by Jennifer Hall.
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.
Introducing a new middle grade adventure set deep underground in a mysterious community of animal-headed people: The Tunnels Below. Interestingly borne out of Nadine’s own experiences of getting lost on the Kennington Loop of the Northern Line, don’t let it put you off having an subterranean adventure of your own! It’s Cecilia’s twelfth birthday and … Continue reading ‘The Tunnels Below,’ by Nadine Wild-Palmer, illustrated by Ellen Shi.
Are you ready to enter a magical new world where whole villages and can be hidden behind a shimmering wall of spells and ailments cured by a carefully worded charm? How about a world where nobody is quite what they seem and danger could be lurking around every corner? Then you need to make sure … Continue reading ‘The Last Spell Breather,’ by Julie Pike, illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova.
For those of you who’ve read ‘Twister,’ Forrest’s debut novel, it will surely come as very welcome news that her second title is now out in the wild. Borne out her own regret at being unable to say a final goodbye to her grandparents, and her love of a whole spectrum of gloriously-named colours, Forrest … Continue reading ‘The True Colours Of Coral Glen,’ by Juliette Forrest, cover by Jamie Gregory.
Today is my stop on the blog tour for the final instalment in the award-winning ‘My Brother is a Superhero’ series and this time your household appliances are out to get you! I also have a fascinating piece by David Solomons about his anxiety as a child, his interesting treatment and endings actually being beginnings. … Continue reading ‘My Cousin is a Time Traveller,’ by David Solomons, illustrated by Robin Boyden.
Empathy Day (June 11th 2019) is a call to action to explore books which can help develop the skill of empathy. In this current climate of change in the U.K. it is more important than ever that our young people are able to understand situations from different perspectives, not just their own. Its organisers, EmpathyLab, … Continue reading Empathy Day – ‘The difference between hearing and listening,’ by Victoria Williamson.
Jennifer is best known for her ear-fartingly funny ‘Alex Sparrow’ series but ‘Mo, Lottie and the Junkers’ is something a little bit different... Mo Appleby is the kind of boy who appreciates routine and order in his life, so he is understandably put out when things are turned upside down by he and his mum … Continue reading ‘Mo, Lottie and the Junkers,’ by Jennifer Killick, illustrated by Gareth Conway.
I am a huge fan of Cath’s debut novel, ‘Ella on the Outside,’ so was very excited to receive a proof copy of her latest title, ‘Not My Fault,’ and hoped that it would be as carefully observed as the first. I wasn’t disappointed. Maya and Rose are sisters, but they won’t talk to each … Continue reading ‘Not My Fault,’ by Cath Howe, cover by Joel Holland.
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.
With the FIFA Women’s World Cup firmly in the limelight this year, ‘Lily and the Rockets’ would be an excellent choice of book to introduce readers to the time when the first women’s league was formed and pulled in crowds of over 50,000 at its peak! Lily is tall, broad and has hands the size … Continue reading ‘Lily and the Rockets,’ by Rebecca Stevens, cover by Harriet Taylor Seed.
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.
Ada is back in fine first chapter book form! She’s still full of questions and still bursting with scientific theories to test but this time she has the support of her fellow Questioneers to help her answer them. In this instalment in the ‘The Questioneers’ series, Ada Twist takes centre stage, already composing several important … Continue reading ‘Ada Twist and the Perilous Pantaloons,’ by Andrea Beaty, illustrations by David Roberts.
Today’s my stop on the ‘Runaway Robot’ blog tour and I have a sneaky peek at the opening of the story AND a copy to giveaway to one lucky person! (Find out how at the bottom of this post.) The inspiration for Frank’s newest story came after a visit to the robot exhibition at The … Continue reading ‘Runaway Robot,’ by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, illustrated by Steven Lenton. Take a peek at an extract from the story.
Library Girl and Book Boy 