People have long been fascinated by the highwaymen who used to strike fear into the heart of many a wealthy traveller. Lots of us will have studied Alfred Noyes’ famous poem ‘The Highwayman’ at school, and generations of children continue to do so. This book would be a great choice to read along side for … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Stand and Deliver,’ by Philip Caveney, illustration by Jill Tytherleigh.
I want to start with a disclaimer: Chris Riddell is my favourite illustrator and I’d buy any of his books just to pore over the illustrations. In fact, I preordered a copy of this from a bookshop who were lucky enough to have some of Chris’s beautiful illustrations to include them. Therefore, it is with … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Tiggy Thistle and the Lost Guardians,’ by Chris Riddell.
Honestly, I am always so excited when I see that Ian is releasing a new book. His writing is always so honest, emotional, and thought-provoking. It was going to be difficult to produce another picture book to match the beautiful ‘Nen and the Lonely Fisherman,’ but I think he may just have done it! Make … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Woodcutter and the Snow Prince,’ by Ian Eagleton, illustrated by Davide Ortu.
There’s a fantastic variety of spooky books for older readers to enjoy, whether they prefer the silly side of Halloween or want proper bone-chilling scares. This post shares some of the newer titles I’ve been sent which are made for reading on a dark and stormy night! ‘Monday 17th JanuaryIt’s finally time for the school … Continue reading Halloween Reads (ages 7+)
I love this growing series of seriously fascinating fact-filled finds. First there was Factopia, then there was Return to Factopia, and now there’s Gross Factopia! too, which is (as you may have guessed) crammed to bursting point with some of the most disgusting facts known to mankind! ‘Did you know that sloths poo only once … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Gross Factopia!’ by Paige Towler, illustrated by Andy Smith.
This is the debut children’s novel from Reece Carter who is best known in his home country of Australia as a nutritionist and author of two non-fiction titles for adults. He had always wanted to write for children and thank goodness he did! Readers are going to fall in love with Corpse in this thrilling … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name,’ by Reece Carter, cover by Eleonora Asparuhova.
For this review, I stepped a little out of my comfort zone and recorded a reel! Luckily, I managed to edit in several of the gorgeous spreads from the book so you don’t have to look at my face too much. I hope you love the book as much as I do. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CirnDe-qc8L/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= ‘Join brilliant … Continue reading ‘A Wild Child’s Guide to Birds,’ by Dara McAnulty, illustrated by Barry Falls.
James’ Apprentice Witch series is one of my favourites so I have been waiting, and waiting, and waiting for him to release a new book. Am here it is! The Spell Tailors! Just as full of magic, but a long way away from the protective charms and spells being performed by Arianwyn… Be sure to … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Spell Tailors,’ by James Nicol, illustrations by Jenny Zemanek.
Holly Webb is renowned for her gorgeous stories with animals at their heart, and although I was very familiar with her tales for younger readers, I hadn’t seen very much for children as they move through KS2. Having now read ‘The Story of Green River,’ I’m delighted to confirm that this would be perfect for … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Story of Green River,’ by Holly Webb, illustrated by Zanna Goldhawk.
I think anybody with tweens or who teaches Year 6 upwards, should have heard of Yang’s ‘Front Desk’ series which follows the life of Mia Tang and her family as they try to fit in with the American way of life whilst staying true their Chinese roots. If you haven’t, then you need to get … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Key Player,’ by Kelly Yang.
Today’s post feature a fast-paced middle grade mystery with a twist. A humorous read for anyone who’s ever felt a little bit like an outsider. Read author Susie Bower’s piece about how her own childhood experiences helped shape Ophelia’s story. ‘Ophelia Bottom longs for an ordinary life: to have normal, well-behaved parents rather than embarrassing … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Dangerous Life of Ophelia Bottom,’ by Susie Bower.
I was immediately intrigued by the idea of a person’s fate being decided for them by the time the reach twelve. No wondering if you’ll have children, live to 100, become a brain surgeon…it’s all written done there on your card in black and white. The mystery of that opening chapter completely sucked me in, … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Ember Shadows and the Fates of Mount Never,’ by Rebecca King.
If you’re looking for a bold, frankly hilarious, adventure to tempt fans of Dogman or Bunny vs. Monkey, then your search is over! This title comes highly recommended by my youngest son who is quite picky about what he’ll read. Scroll down for an extract to see what all the fuss it about… ‘The islands … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Kitty Quest: Trial by Tentacle,’ by Phil Corbett.
It’s here! The third instalment in the hilariously bonkers series about Knight Sir Louis and life in Castle Sideways. Read on to find out more and to discover author Myles McLeod’s piece about writing funny, working with your brother, AND some top reading recommendations. King Burt the Not Bad is in a huff with his … Continue reading ‘Knight Sir Louis and the Sorcerer of Slime,’ by The Brothers McLeod.
Today I not only have a wonderful, inclusive picture book from Owlet Press for you to enjoy, I also have a special piece from author Tarah L. Gear about the journey her father made across the sea from Mauritius to work for the NHS. “A suitcase of stories from Grandpa Jazz connects Frank to his … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Just Like Grandpa Jazz,’ by Tarah L. Gear, illustrated by Mirna Imamović.
I am sure that many of you will already have been transported back in time with Emma Carroll’s incredible historical adventures, or have been enchanted by Eva Ibbotson’s transportative writing. Lots of you who work in schools may also have used ‘Journey to the River Sea’ as part of a topic on rainforests. Well, now … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Escape to the River Sea,’ by Emma Carroll, cover by Katie Hickey.
I have to admit to having read this some time ago but only now posting the review! I had been very eagerly anticipating this title, having previously read and loved Chisholm’s novel, Orion Lost, so had high expectations of his next futuristic adventure. ‘The robot Adam-2 has been locked in the basement of a lost … Continue reading ‘Adam-2,’ by Alastair Chisholm, cover by Dan Mumford.
Today I’d like to introduce you to the first in a brand new series of magical reads full of charm, pluck, and malevolent fae. If you’re looking for a new series for middle grader readers to get stuck into, look no more! Cassie Morgan has run away. After seven years spent waiting for her mother … Continue reading Blog post: ‘Hedgewitch,’ by Skye McKenna, illustrated by Tomislav Tomic.
Get ready for a brand new series of books which cleverly use gamification to encourage readers to apply their powers of logic and problem-solving to a series of STEM-based challenges. Questers will develop their coding skills and understanding of algorithms as they follow the interactive story, collecting stickers and rewards as they go. I can … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘SuperQuesters – The Case of the Stolen Sun,’ by Lisa Moss & Dr. Thomas Bernard, illustrated by Amy Wilcox.
If you’re looking for a riotous adventure packed with ingenious inventions and lists, look no further! (But perhaps take a look at ‘A Dinosaur Ate My Sister’ too!) “Before you start reading, there are a few things you should know: 1. I, Esha Verma, am a genius inventor extraordinaire.2. I like lists.3. I did not … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘A Robot Squashed My Teacher’ by Pooja Puri, illustrated by Allen Fatimaharan.
