Some stories truly do stand the test of time, delighting and inspiring generation after generation of young readers. So I am thrilled to be able to introduce you to two reillustrated classics packed full of bonus features from Alma Classics. 'Five Children and It,' by E. Nesbit, illustrated by Ella Okstad. I have fond memories … Continue reading Two Children’s Classics!
I is very excited to have gotten my trotters on a copy of the hilarious fourth book in the fart-tastic Pig series. You can too if you read to the bottom to find out how to enter my fabulous book bundle giveaway! This instalments finds Pig on the run from Deathra (armed with tasers and … Continue reading ‘The Big, Fat, Totally Bonkers Diary of Pig,’ by Emer Stamp.
Today's the day! Today, we finally get to find out which books were selected as some of the funniest recent publications by the Lollies judging panel! Despite my best efforts on short-listing day, I was unable to spot which pile of books were the chosen few; there were so many fantastic titles about the offices. … Continue reading Introducing the Laugh Out Loud 2017 Book Awards Nominees…
A traitor revealed. An invasion unleashed. A kingdom in peril. I was very excited to be asked to participate in the blog tour for this second instalment in the Defender of the Realm series. Following the shocking events which occurred at his coronation, the young King Alfred II (or Alfie, as he prefers to be … Continue reading ‘Defender of the Realm: Dark Age,’ by Mark Huckerby & Nick Ostler.
Ernest the Earwig has been thinking. And he's not happy. All sorts of creatures appear in books, but not earwigs. Why not?! Outraged, Ernest decides to right this wrong. After a restless night's sleep, Earnest heads off to the local bookshop and straight to the children's literature section. He then seizes his chance to slip … Continue reading ‘The Importance of Being Ernest the Earwig,’ by Nanette Newman, illustrated by Lindsay Branagh.
In today's political climate, we are constantly being told how different we all are from each other. That's why I was delighted to be sent this clever book which not only celebrates our differences but also points out how we are all the same. This book was inspired by Matt Lamothe's own experiences as he … Continue reading ‘This Is How We Do It – one day in the lives of seven kids from around the world,’ by Matt Lamothe.
My next Easter read was recommended to me by several people and has been compared to the excellent 'Northern Lights' trilogy by Philip Pullman. Well that was recommendation enough for me as I loved that series - I decided that 'Sea' was worth spending one of my birthday book tokens on. 'Sea' follows the fortunes of … Continue reading ‘Sea,’ by Sarah Driver, cover by Joe McLaren.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Library Girl and Book Boy 