A crumbling mansion, a powerful magic source, and stone gargoyles that come to life? Just some of the ingredients for a fantastic read. Do you think you have what it takes to become a guardian? Read author Tamsin Mori’s special piece about the skills you’ll need… “A crumbling mansion A magical source A living gargoyle … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Gargoyles: Guardian of the Source,’ by Tamsin Mori, cover by David Dean.
Tag: KS2
‘Eyes that Weave the World’s Wonders,’ by Joanna Ho & Liz Kleinrock, illustrated by Dung Ho
Have you seen this wonderful story about a young transracial adoptee’s journey to self-acceptance? #EyesThatWeaveTheWorldsWonders by @JoannaHoWrites & #LizKleinrock, illustrated by @dunghth “From New York Times bestselling Joanna Ho, of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners, and award-winning educator Liz Kleinrock comes a powerful companion picture book about adoption and family. A young girl who is a transracial adoptee … Continue reading ‘Eyes that Weave the World’s Wonders,’ by Joanna Ho & Liz Kleinrock, illustrated by Dung Ho
‘The Island at the Edge of the Night,’ by Lucy Strange, cover by Katie Hickey.
Sometimes books come along that you know you are going to want to read in peace, which is precisely why I saved this book to enjoy as soon as the Easter holidays started. Any new title from Lucy Strange immediately jumps to the top of my ‘to be read’ pile. I love her seamless blend … Continue reading ‘The Island at the Edge of the Night,’ by Lucy Strange, cover by Katie Hickey.
Choose your own adventure…
I don’t know about you but when I was younger, I used to love those choose your own adventure books where your fate could change with the turn of a page. I was particularly fond of a Famous Five one which had special dice, a code key, and a magnifying glass! There don’t seem to … Continue reading Choose your own adventure…
Empathy Day Tour: ‘Geoffrey Gets the Jitters,’ by Nadia Shireen.
One of a book’s many superpowers is the ability to help its readers develop the skill of empathy. Through books, we can explore the lives of others, gain new perspectives, and develop our understandings of ourselves. This year’s Read for Empathy collection features a wonderful range of titles which are guaranteed to get readers thinking. … Continue reading Empathy Day Tour: ‘Geoffrey Gets the Jitters,’ by Nadia Shireen.
Blog tour: ‘Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm,’ by Siobhan McDermott, cover by Yuzhen Cai.
Well there couldn’t be a better choice of read to usher in the advent of the Year of the Dragon! Paper Dragons is an intoxicating new adventure from Siobhan McDermott. Be sure to read Siobhan’s piece about how she developed the magical setting of Wengyuen. “An extraordinary destiny unfolds . . .Twelve-year-old Zhi Ging has … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Paper Dragons: The Fight for the Hidden Realm,’ by Siobhan McDermott, cover by Yuzhen Cai.
Blog tour: ‘Winner Takes Gold,’ by Eloise Smith, cover illustrated by Natalie Smillie.
There are far too few middle grade titles where gymnastics takes centre stage. I have been on the look out for my niece who is a fantastic gymnast but in haven’t been able find very much. Luckily, I shall now be able to recommend ‘Winner Takes Gold’! “Young gymnast Pearl dreams of winning gold in … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Winner Takes Gold,’ by Eloise Smith, cover illustrated by Natalie Smillie.
‘Keedie’ by Elle McNicoll, cover by Kay Wilson.
I think anybody with an interest in the world of children’s books will probably be very eagerly awaiting the Spring publication of ‘Keedie,’ the prequel to McNicoll’s barn-storming debut novel, ‘A Kind of Spark.’ ‘A Kind of Spark’ was, for me, in the first wave of real voices stories which featured neurodiverse characters written authentically … Continue reading ‘Keedie’ by Elle McNicoll, cover by Kay Wilson.
Blog tour: ‘November Witches,’ by Jennifer Claessen, cover by Heidi Cannon.
One of the things I love most about Autumn is the opportunity to cwtch up with a good book and a blanket so it seems very apt that I have a special post from author, Jennifer Claessen featuring her top tips for a cosy read. I have been very much looking forward to catching up … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘November Witches,’ by Jennifer Claessen, cover by Heidi Cannon.
Blog tour: ‘Sally in the City of Dreams,’ by Judi Curtin.
Today I’m sharing the story of two sisters who left their home in Ireland to start a new life in New York City. “Crossing the ocean for a new life I looked up and the American flags on the roof seemed miles and miles away in the blue, blue, sky. I looked along the street, … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Sally in the City of Dreams,’ by Judi Curtin.
Blog tour: ‘Scrap,’ by Guy Bass, illustrated by Alessia Trunfio.
Guy Bass is such a fantastic author that I always look forward to any new release from him. When I saw the cover of Scrap, I was even more excited as it was so dramatic - a silhouetted figure atop a mound of parts. And what’s that in the background? “The year was Something Something. … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Scrap,’ by Guy Bass, illustrated by Alessia Trunfio.
Blog tour: ‘Strange Tales,’ by Daniel Morden, illustrations by Anne Glenn.
There is a huge appetite for titles like this: a collection of strange, unnerving, and sometime ghoulish tales suitable for upper primary readers. ‘Strange Tales’ features nine such stories inspired by folklore and myth from Daniel’s travels around the world. Make sure you read Daniel’s piece about his work as a storyteller and what inspires … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Strange Tales,’ by Daniel Morden, illustrations by Anne Glenn.
Blog tour: ‘Maggie Blue and the White Crow,’ by Anna Goodall, cover by Sandra Dieckmann.
Today I am sharing the second Maggie Blue adventure. I would highly recommend reading the first instalment (Maggie Blue and the Dark World) if you haven’t already, but readers who are new to the series will still be able to enjoy this latest instalment without any prior reading. “Maggie Blue is adjusting to a quieter … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Maggie Blue and the White Crow,’ by Anna Goodall, cover by Sandra Dieckmann.
Blog tour: ‘The Council of Good Friends,’ by Nikesh Shukla, illustrated by Rochelle Falconer.
It’s not very often that books about fronds focus on a group of boys. Even less often that these groups of friends are shown in a positive, supportive light. That’s what makes ‘The Council of Good Friends’ so brilliant - we get to see boys’ friendships in all their multi-faceted glory: having fun, pranking each … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Council of Good Friends,’ by Nikesh Shukla, illustrated by Rochelle Falconer.
Blog tour: ‘Sweet Skies,’ by Robin Scott-Elliot, cover by Holly Ovenden.
The Cold War Era is a period of history I know very little about and is not something which I have often seen featured in children’s fiction. However, there is a steady trickle of books beginning to fill the bookshelves with the aim of bringing to life this slightly neglected era. ‘Sweet Skies’ is certainly … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Sweet Skies,’ by Robin Scott-Elliot, cover by Holly Ovenden.
‘Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer,’ by Jeffrey Blakey.
I raced through this book! A superb read from Jeffrey Boakye which explores the complexities of growing up as a black youth from an estate, alongside a backdrop of pure 90s joy - cassette tapes, Gladiators, rap battles, the internet? What’s that? ‘Kofi had an idea . . . one big lightning bolt of an … Continue reading ‘Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer,’ by Jeffrey Blakey.
Car Crazy?
As the parent of a car-mad son, I have spent a lot of time searching for fiction and non-fiction books which would be suitable for middle grade and tween readers. It has proven incredibly difficult to find anything that is either a picture book or aimed at adults. To save you scouring the bookshops like … Continue reading Car Crazy?
‘Terra Ultima: The Discovery of a Hidden Continent,’ by Raoul Deleo.
I was totally blown away when I opened up the package containing this stunning book, my imagination completely captured by the fantastical creatures dreamed up by Raoul to inhabitant a hidden continent completely unspoilt by mankind- Terra Ultima. The entire book is based on the premise that a mysterious new continent has just been discovered … Continue reading ‘Terra Ultima: The Discovery of a Hidden Continent,’ by Raoul Deleo.
Blog tour: ‘Kòkú Àkànbí and the Heart of Midnight,’ by Maria Motúnráyò Adébísí, illustrated by Simone Douglas.
At the moment, it would seem that children’s books steeped in African mythology are having a bit of a moment. This is very lucky for readers because wow, that’s a rich seam to mine! Adébísí’s Jujuland series is centred on West African lore and is jam-packed with feuding tribes, demons, and powerful magic. Make sure … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Kòkú Àkànbí and the Heart of Midnight,’ by Maria Motúnráyò Adébísí, illustrated by Simone Douglas.
Blog tour: ‘Nowhere Island,’ by Tania Unsworth, cover by Kimberley Walker.
When I read that Tania Unsworth was inspired to write this by the hidden, forgotten corners that no one ever noticed, I was intrigued. As a child, I spent a lot of time imagining what it would be like to set up camp in a secluded spot and live there. Luckily, I never had to … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Nowhere Island,’ by Tania Unsworth, cover by Kimberley Walker.
Library Girl and Book Boy 