After the roaring success of of Kiran's first novel (The Girl of Ink and Stars, overall winner of the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2017), I was eagerly anticipating the release of her next one. Fortunately, due to her well-deserved award win, the publication date was pushed forward and I was able to get my hands on … Continue reading ‘The Island at the End of Everything,’ by Kiran Millwood Hargrave, cover by Helen Crawford-White.
Tag: KS2 Fiction
‘The Inventory: Black Knight,’ by Andy Briggs.
I am really pleased to have been invited to participate in the blog tour for the third action-packed book in The Inventory series. The first two stories were gripping so I knew this one would be too - I wasn't disappointed! In this newest title, we find the World Consortium recruiting more teen agents to work with … Continue reading ‘The Inventory: Black Knight,’ by Andy Briggs.
‘Evie’s Ghost,’ by Helen Peters, cover illustrated by Daniela Terrazzini.
This fantastic time-slip novel will have you gripped from page one - I read the whole thing in a day! Evie is sulking after being bundled off to stay with her somewhat eccentric godmother (whom she's never met before) whilst her mother breezes off to Venice on her honeymoon. She's had to take a train to … Continue reading ‘Evie’s Ghost,’ by Helen Peters, cover illustrated by Daniela Terrazzini.
Easter Egg-stravaganza!
I'm not really a big fan of giving chocolate to people for Easter, I much prefer a good book. Featured in this post are the lovely goodies some of my family members are going to be receiving this year. The Odd Egg by Emily Gravett (Two Hoots Books) My 1-year-old nephew can look forward to … Continue reading Easter Egg-stravaganza!
‘Harper and the Night Forest,’ by Cerrie Burnell, illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson.
I am very excited to have been invited to be part of the blog tour for this enchanting book. 'Harper and the Night Forest' is the fourth book in the Harper series (which includes a World Book Day title.) Many thanks to Faye Rogers and Scholastic for inviting me to participate. This latest instalment finds … Continue reading ‘Harper and the Night Forest,’ by Cerrie Burnell, illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson.
‘Over and Under the Pond,’ by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal.
Head off on a watery adventure when you follow a boy and his Mom as they canoe across the mirror-like surface of the pond. As they row out over the water they encounter a diverse range of wildlife in the watery ecosystem. A hidden world of crayfish, turtles and bullfrogs. Whirligig beetles, caddisdly larva and … Continue reading ‘Over and Under the Pond,’ by Kate Messner, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal.
‘Where’s the Ballerina?’ By Anna Claybourne and Abigail Goh.
I am delighted to find a modern and beautifully illustrated book about ballet. Given the huge numbers of young Prima Ballerinas out there, I'm surprised there haven't been more! In this book, you can explore ten of the world's best-loved ballets (including my personal favourite,'The Nutcracker.'). I have lots of warm Christmas memories of being … Continue reading ‘Where’s the Ballerina?’ By Anna Claybourne and Abigail Goh.
‘The Ministry of Strange, Unusual and Impossible Things,’ by Paul Gamble, illustrated by Fidelma Slattery.
Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of The Ministry of Suits, where strange, unusual and impossible things happen. Recently nominated for the New Children's Fiction award by the Teach Primary Magazine, this offbeat title is perfect for anyone who likes to 'think outside the box.' After narrowly escaping being eaten by a bear on … Continue reading ‘The Ministry of Strange, Unusual and Impossible Things,’ by Paul Gamble, illustrated by Fidelma Slattery.
‘Animasaurus-Incredible Animals that Roamed the Earth,’ by Tracey Turner, illustrated by Harriet Russell.
Did you know that there was once an enormous snake called a Titanoboa which was over 14.5m long?! Find out more about this, and many other, prehistoric animals in the fascinating pages of this book. Organised into four subsections (plant-eaters, sea creatures, predators and creepy-crawlers), Animasaurus is absolutely packed full of the most terrifying and … Continue reading ‘Animasaurus-Incredible Animals that Roamed the Earth,’ by Tracey Turner, illustrated by Harriet Russell.
‘Beetle Queen,’ by M.G. Leonard, cover illustration by Elisabet Portabella.
Having loved the first book in this trilogy (Beetle Boy), when I found out that there was a limited edition of Beetle Queen with sprayed edges, I was straight on-line ordering myself a copy. And it was worth it! The yellow ladybird spots are a true delight. Let me just fill you in quickly … Continue reading ‘Beetle Queen,’ by M.G. Leonard, cover illustration by Elisabet Portabella.
‘The Everything Machine,’ by Ally Kennen, illustrated by Chris Jevons.
Welcome to my stop on the 'The Everything Machine' blog tour. I was very excited to be able to get my hands on a copy to read and review. Have you ever wished you could print yourself anything you wanted? Rare Pokémon cards, strawberry ice cream, a brand new bike? How about a mountain of … Continue reading ‘The Everything Machine,’ by Ally Kennen, illustrated by Chris Jevons.
‘Sherlock Holmes and the Disappearing Diamond,’ by Sam Hearn.
Case: The Disappearing Diamond Detective: Sherlock Holmes Location: Baker Street Academy Status: Top Secret! Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for the fabulous Sherlock Holmes! After arriving late, new boy, John Watson, was dreading his first day at Baker Street Academy. His fears soon disappeared as his buddy for the day, Martha, introduced … Continue reading ‘Sherlock Holmes and the Disappearing Diamond,’ by Sam Hearn.
‘Odd and the Frost Giants,’ by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Chris Riddell.
I know they say you shouldn't judge books by their covers, but this one was calling out to me from across the bookshop. It truly is a thing of great beauty! Written by the masterful Neil Gaiman and illustrated by the Children's Laureate, Chris Riddell, you would be right to expect great things from this … Continue reading ‘Odd and the Frost Giants,’ by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Chris Riddell.
‘The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow,by Katherine
'You are cordially invited to attend the grand opening of Sinclair's Department Store.' This is the first in a brilliant series of mystery books set around the magnificent Sinclair's Department Store. To enter Sinclair's is to enter a world of perfumed air, bonbons, elegant clothes and murder! Just before the grand opening of London's newest … Continue reading ‘The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow,by Katherine
‘Gobbolino the Witch’s Cat,’ by Ursula Moray Williams, illustrated by Catherine Rayner.
I was very excited when I discovered that Macmillan's Children's Books were publishing a new hardback edition of this book. I have very fond memories of listening to this on story cassette when I was little. Gobbolino was born in the darkness of a witch's cave but was miserable with his job of being a … Continue reading ‘Gobbolino the Witch’s Cat,’ by Ursula Moray Williams, illustrated by Catherine Rayner.
Cracking Christmas Reads!
I've shared the picture books that my nearest and dearest can expect to receive this year, now here are my purchases for older readers... Santa Claude by Alex.T.Smith My favourite dog and his sock sidekick, Sir Bobblysock, are back in a festive adventure. Upon hearing a strange noise in their chimney, Claude and Sir Bobblysock … Continue reading Cracking Christmas Reads!
‘Black Powder, ‘ by Ally Sherrick, illustrated by Alexis Snell.
Remember, remember the fifth of November, gunpowder, treason and plot... I am very excited to feature 'Black Powder' on the blog as I'm lucky enough to have Ally Sherrick visiting my school to work with Year 5 very soon. Watch out for a special post next week! This explosive novel whisks the reader back in … Continue reading ‘Black Powder, ‘ by Ally Sherrick, illustrated by Alexis Snell.
‘The Railway Children,’ by E. Nesbit, illustrated by Peter Bailey.
Alma Classics have sent me this lovely re-illustrated version of a childhood classic - The Railway Children. After the unexpected disappearance of their father, Bobbie, Phyllis and Peter have to leave their comfortable lives in London to move to a small cottage in the countryside with their mother. As mother struggles to make ends meet by writing … Continue reading ‘The Railway Children,’ by E. Nesbit, illustrated by Peter Bailey.
‘The Inventory – Gravity,’ by Andy Briggs.
Get ready for the second thrilling instalment of the gadget-packed series - 'The Inventory' as it's my stop on the blog tour. In this sequel to 'The Iron Fist,' Dev and his friends (Lot and Mason) are having their skills tested as they're sent to chase down one of the Double Helix's henchmen with a … Continue reading ‘The Inventory – Gravity,’ by Andy Briggs.
‘Finding Black Beauty.’
I am absolutely delighted to welcome the magnificent Lou Kuenzler to the blog as part of her 'Finding Black Beauty' blog tour - a beautiful version of the classic 'Black Beauty' with a twist. As well as getting read and review her book, I got to ask Lou about where her desire to work with … Continue reading ‘Finding Black Beauty.’
Library Girl and Book Boy 