So I've shared some of my top picture books choices for this Christmas, now it's the turn of chapter books. I absolutely LOVE picture books for readers of ALL ages, not just the little ones but sometimes you just a longer book to sink your teeth into or delay bedtime for a few minutes longer. … Continue reading Festive Chapter Book Fancies
Many thanks to Egmont for sending me the second instalment in the absolutely gripping 'The Huntress' trilogy. The first, 'Sea,' was one of my favourite début novels of the year (click HERE for my review) so I was thrilled have the next one to read as I was desperate to find out what was next … Continue reading ‘The Huntress: Sky,’ by Sarah Driver, cover by Joe McLaren.
It started with an “Oops!”... ...and so begins the mystery of ‘The Elephant in the Room.’ Father Giant’s favourite elephant has been smashed into little pieces and he wants to know who’s to blame so he can banish them from the house, but no one seems keen to confess. After some serious investigating, and a … Continue reading ‘The Elephant in the Room,’ by James Thorp and Angus Mackinnon.
Introducing an atlas unlike any you’ve ever seen before: our fantastic planet is brought to life in 3D. This fascinating atlas features over 60 specially-commissioned maps, all absolutely packed with 3D images, facts and photos. It explains the scientific theory behind the origins of early Earth, then takes the reader on a continent-by-continent tour of … Continue reading ‘What’s Where on Earth Atlas,’ by DK.
Dinosaurs never go out of fashion so I am delighted to introduce you to the new children's book from best-selling author and artist, Matt Sewell. This absolutely brilliant book features a whole host of fabulous prehistoric creatures from the Ceratosaurus to the Spinosaurus. Sewell's glorious watercolour illustrations draw on the fact that palaeontologists now think … Continue reading ‘Dinosaurs and Other Prehistoric Creatures,’ by Matt Sewell.
November is officially the month to celebrate all books non-fiction and I have a beautiful one here for you today. ‘Urban Jungle’ is a winning combination of maps and wildlife, taking its readers on a fantastic journey around the globe, visiting 38 major cities along the way. Each city has its own double page spread … Continue reading ‘Urban Jungle,’ by Vicky Woodgate.
Is ancient mythology all Greek to you? If so, this brilliant new fun-filled series will help bring you up to speed. Written by Tarakson as a result of a childhood steeped in tales from Greek mythology, the ten book strong ‘Hopeless Heroes’ series introduces its readers to some of the mightiest Gods and Goddesses around. … Continue reading ‘Hopeless Heroes: Here Comes Hercules! (Book1) & Hera’s Terrible Trap (Book 2),’ by Stella Tarakson, illustrated by Nick Roberts.
Sometimes books arrive and are snatched out of my hands before I get a chance to read them, and Ludwig was one of them - I think it was the promise of adventure and the lure of 3D glasses! This is actually the second eye-popping adventure about Ludwig the dog (after 'Ludwig the Space Dog), … Continue reading ‘Ludwig the Sea Dog,’ by Henning Lohlein.
I'm delighted to be on blog tour for this little book with bite which would be perfect for readers aged seven and up. Vlad is a young vampire from a long line of very scary and very vampirey vampires. The problem is, Vlad doesn't feel the least bit scary - he hates his morning drink … Continue reading ‘Vlad the World’s Worst Vampire,’ by Anna Wilson, illustrated by Kathryn Durst.
I have two super science books for you today: 'Al's Awesome Science,' and 'Cool Physics.' 'Al's Awesome Science: Egg-speriments,' by Jane Clarke, illustrated by James Brown (Five Quills) This is the first book in a series about science-loving twins, Al and Lottie. Full of energy and never far from trouble, the twins love investigating the … Continue reading Weird Science
There was MUCH excitement in my house when I opened this parcel of Football Heroes books. The Giggs title was borrowed to be read straight away (my son had actually just finished the Messi one on holiday.) So it is, with much fanfare, that I introduce you the brilliant Football Heroes biography collection. … Continue reading ‘Football Heroes,’ by Matt and Tom Oldfield, covers by Dan Leydon.
****Breaking News!!!**** Congratulations are due to the excellent David Solomons as ‘My Gym Teacher is an Alien Overlord,’ won the PopJam Readers’ Choice Award at the Lollies 2017 award ceremony tonight! I am absolutely thrilled for everyone involved and can’t wait for another instalment in the future. I am so excited and honoured to be … Continue reading Lollies 2017 Winner! ‘My Gym Teacher is an Alien Overlord,’ by David Solomons, illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson, typography by Rob Biddulph
After reading, and loving, Webb's sequel to Frances Hodgson Burnett's 'The Secret Garden,' I was delighted to see learn that she had also reimagined Hodgson Burnett's beloved classic 'The Little Princess,' but set against the tempestuous backdrop of the Suffragette movement of the early 20th century. Still set in the prim and proper Miss Minchin's … Continue reading ‘The Princess and the Suffragette,’ by Holly Webb.
These next three books are perfect for fans of all things dinosaur. We have some fabulous fiction, non-fiction and a gorgeous colour and discover book. 'The Book of Prehistoric Beasts,' from Angela Rizza and Jonny Marx (Buster Books) This gorgeous book is a clever mix of facts, profiles and fearsome creatures to colour in. … Continue reading Dinotastic Discoveries!
In today's hectic, tech-driven society, young children can often find it difficult to manage their emotions, resulting in anger, stress and anxiety. This brilliant new series encourages children to take some time out to help process their emotions. Both titles use a combination of mindful activities and recognised cognitive therapy methods and have been written … Continue reading The Mindful Kids colouring series from Studio Press
Read this book you must. It gets the Stormtrooper Book Club seal of approval! It's Victor Starspeeder's second year at Jedi Academy and things are not going as he planned - he just can't stop over-sleeping and Master Yoda is getting mad! To make matters worse, his tardiness has meant that he's missed out on … Continue reading Holiday Read #5 ‘The Jedi Academy: The Force Oversleeps,’ by Jarrett Krosoczka.
Holiday Read #3 comes courtesy of my son, who has been giggling his way through this one on his sun lounger. In the second book of the series, we are reintroduced to The Grunts, a family who are neither clean nor clever but who manage to have fantastic adventures all the same. When I asked … Continue reading Holiday Read #3 ‘The Grunts All at Sea,’ by Philip Ardagh, illustrated by Axel Scheffler.
Strictly speaking, this isn't just a holiday read as it was actually started as my son's bedtime story back in England and we've just finished it tonight. But I think I can allow a little flexibility on the 'holiday read' point. It was the title of the book which first attracted me and the premise … Continue reading Holiday Read #2 ‘The Bookshop Girl,’ by Sylvia Bishop, illustrated by Ashley King.
Each year, I take a certain delight in spending all the loyalty points I have dutifully built up on my bookshop reward card in the preceding months with my many purchases. Hours can be whiled away as I contemplate how best to spend them. However, my first choice this year was an easy one. Featured … Continue reading Holiday Read #1: ‘A Place Called Perfect,’ by Helena Duggan, cover by Karl James Mountford.
Any book which makes its reader twist, turn, jump and shout gets a huge thumbs up in our house. That's why we were so excited to receive these three titles recently... Crocodali by Lucy Volpin (Templar Publishing) Crocodali considers himself one of the world's greatest artists and YOU are privileged enough to be invited to … Continue reading Twist and shout!
Library Girl and Book Boy 