You can always rely of DK for engaging, good quality information books packed with diagrams, timelines and photographs so I was pleased to see that they have produced which looks exclusively at timelines from the perspective of Black history. It is compiled from updated material from their previous timeline books along with new content to … Continue reading ‘Timelines From Black History: Leaders, Legends, Legacies,’ with foreword by Mireille Harper.
As the night’s draw in and the weather turns chillier, my thoughts always turn to snuggling up under a blanket with a good book. Halloween is a great time to find a new favourite read - whether magical or spooky so I’m bringing you some of the newest choices around. ‘Mirabelle Gets Up to Mischief,’ … Continue reading Happy Halloween!
Introducing the third children’s book by actor and comedian, Ben Miller. With flavours of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and the Brothers Grimm, get ready to dive headfirst into an adventure beyond your wildest dreams! Lana is fed-up of her brother Harrison pretending he’s too grown-up to play games with her now that he’s started senior … Continue reading ‘The Day I Fell Into A Fairytale,’ by Ben Miller, illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini.
Books with a football theme are perennially popular - both in school libraries and at home with my own children. I was delighted to see a new series of fictionalised biographies about some of the game’s biggest players. Written by football fanatic, Harry Coninx, this series is infused with hints, tips and his own special … Continue reading ‘Tales From the Pitch,’ by Harry Coninx, cover by Ben Farr.
You know the drill when it comes to fairytales - princess gets locked in a tower/ put to sleep/ kidnapped by a witch and is rescued by a handsome prince, right? Wrong! What I have for you today are four fabulous collections of reimagined fairy tales for a more modern era. ‘Fearless Fairy Tales,’ by … Continue reading Fairy Tales Reimagined
There’s something rather magical about cracking open a brand new encyclopedia and immersing yourself in the knowledge within. Although people can now find any answer they want with a click of a button, I think there will always be a place for wonderful books like this - they contain worlds of possibilities and undiscovered wisdom … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Britannica All New Children’s Encyclopedia,’ from Britannica Books, edited by Christopher Lloyd.
The two books featured in this post will take you deep into places you’ve never dared explore before! ‘Gut Garden’ will take you into the wonderful of microbes hidden within your body, whilst ‘Unseen Worlds’ exposes the millions of microscopic creatures hiding in your bed and kitchen cupboards - not for the faint-hearted! ‘Unseen Worlds,’ … Continue reading Journeys into the Unknown
Today I’m sharing two books with strong environmental themes from the fabulous dyslexia-friendly publisher, Barrington Stoke. ‘The Invasion of Crooked Oak,’ by Dan Smith, illustrated by Chris King. The local community are very unhappy about the fracking site on Carpenter’s Field. The local children used to play there - catching fish and building dens. When … Continue reading Stories with Environmental themes from Barrington Stoke
Stories about war are as relevant and important as ever. They allow us to educate readers about conflicts past and present, encouraging them to empathise and reflect. Barrington Stoke have an excellent range of conflict-themed tales written by some of our most talented children’s authors, for readers of all levels of confidence. ‘Daisy and the … Continue reading Conflict-themed Stories from Barrington Stoke
Each of these three wonderful stories are very different but all feature some very special inter-generational relationships. ‘Special Delivery,’ by Jonathan Meres, illustrated by Hannah Coulson. This first story is part of Barrington Stoke’s Little Gems range which are specially produced for readers aged 5+ and feature fun activities in the jacket flaps. Frank REALLY … Continue reading Inter-generational Stories from Barrington Stoke
Full disclosure - I am a HUGE fan of Vashti’s middle grade adventures (the epic ‘Brightstorm’ series and the Blue Peter Award-Winning, ‘Wildspark.’) I am also a massive fan of Barrington Stoke’s highly-accessible, dyslexia-friendly titles. Imagine if you can, my delight at discovering that these two powerhouses of children’s books were joining forces to create … Continue reading ‘The Griffin Gate,’ by Vashti Hardy, illustrated by Natalie Smillie.
Did you know that it’s 75 years since the publication of one of Sweden’s most popular literary exports? Originally created for her daughter during the dark times of World War Two, Astrid Lindgren wanted to create a new kind of female character - one who was free-spirited and free-thinking. As thus was born an iconic … Continue reading Pippi Longstocking’s 75th Anniversary
Well the shortlist for this year’s CLiPPA (CLOE Children’s Poetry Award) has been announced and we can all start making some new additions to our poetry diets. As well as sharing that shortlist with you now, I also have a piece from one of the nominees, A.F. Harrold about just how he whittled down the … Continue reading The CLiPPA 2020 – with a special piece from A.F. Harrold
For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Amelia Fang before: she’s the vampire with a pet pumpkin, Squashy and a whole host of monstrous friends. In her newest adventure, we meet her stinky baby brother, Vincent. Amelia is excited about attending her friend Grimaldi’s birthnight celebrations but her mum has followed … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Amelia Fang and the Trouble With Toads,’ by Laura Ellen Anderson.
This is the final instalment in Catherine’s award-winning Clockwork Crow trilogy - I couldn’t wait to find out how Seren and Tomos’s adventure was going to end! When Seren slips down a strange alleyway and purchases a mysterious box at the local fair, little does she suspect that it may hold an important secret. When … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Midnight Swan,’ by Catherine Fisher.
If you’re in the mood for a chucklesome boarding school tale full of ingenious orphans, evil matrons and belligerent goats, then this is the book for you! I had the absolutely pleasure of reading this wickedly funny tale over the Summer and it really tickled my funny bone. The humour was just dark enough for … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Orphans of St. Halibuts,’ by Sophie Wills, illustrated by David Tazzyman.
Today I have a deliciously creepy title from Carnegie-nominated author, Pádraig Kenny for readers aged ten and up. Mirabelle has always known that she’s different. A monster. But she has always felt safe and loved behind the magical enchantments shielding her and the rest of ‘the Family’ from the human world. The House of Rookhaven … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Monsters of Rookhaven,’ by Pádraig Kenny, illustrated by Edward Bettison.
In my experience, books which contain humour, fearsome beasts and a host of fascinating facts always make for much sought after reads, with waiting lists forming in the classroom. Andy Seed just happens to be a master of this form, with his newest title being no exception. Andy Seed is a Blue Peter Book Award-winning … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Interview With a Tiger & Other Clawed Beasts Too,’ by Andy Seed, illustrated by Nick East.
Brace yourself for a thrilling race against time to save the lives of fourteen souls whose lives will otherwise be lost in The Great Flood of 1928. Glory (an orphan with one hand and a talented jewellery designer) lives in Inthington in 1928. Needle (a time-travelling mudlark with very special talents) lives in Inthington in … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Elsetime,’ by Eve McDonnell, cover by Holly Ovenden.
I will forever sing the praises of Barrington Stoke. Their books are produced by some of the most fantastic authors and illustrators, with themes ranging from the ridiculous to the sublime. Their dyslexia-friendly format has opened to doors to the world of reading for many of my pupils. Today I’m sharing ‘A Bad Day For … Continue reading ‘A Bad Day for Jayden,’ by Tony Bradman, illustrated by Tania Rex.
Library Girl and Book Boy 