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+)
It’s that time of year when you might be looking for a gently spooky read to get your little pumpkins into the Halloween mood. In this post, I’m sharing a selection of book suitable for readers aged between newborn and seven-years-old. Each features characters who perhaps don’t quite match up to their scary exteriors. ‘Easy-to-use … Continue reading Halloween Reads (ages 0-7)
Let me start by saying that children are NEVER too old for picture books. EVER. There, I’ve said it. But there will probably come a time when they’d like something a little wordier to tuck into. Luckily, there is now a huge range of highly-illustrated first chapter books designed especially for this market. All the … Continue reading Fantastical First Chapter Books
We are so lucky to have so many gorgeous new picture books to help children learn about an important part of the United Kingdom’s recent history - the journey of the Empire Windrush and the stories of its passengers who set sail in search of a new life. “One day, Ava is asked to dress … Continue reading ‘Granny Came Here on the Empire Windrush,’ by Patrice Lawrence, illustrated by Camille Sucre.
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.
If you haven’t already had the pleasure of reading Farook’s previous titles (‘The Girl Who Stole an Elephant’ and ‘The Boy Who Met a Whale’), then you must make sure you go and find yourself copies after you’ve read her latest adventure: ‘The Girl Who Lost a Leopard.’ “Selvi is a wild child who loves … Continue reading ‘The Girl Who Lost a Leopard,’ by Nizrana Farook, cover by David Dean.
More and more young people are standing up and taking action to help reverse the damage humans have done to the Earth’s climate before it’s too late. This gorgeous story tells the tale of a young girl who takes matters into her own hands and decides to replant a barren mountainside. When a little girl's … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The Girl Who Planted Trees,’ by Caryl Hart, illustrated by Anastasia Suvorova.
I think we all found our own ways of coping when the U.K. went into its first lockdown back in March 2020. In this brilliant new title, we meet Max who finds a novel way to distract himself as lockdown means his doctor father has to stay at a hotel for the family’s safety. Little … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘Max Counts to a Million,’ by Jeremy Williams, cover by Thy Bui.
“Frank and Bert are the best of friends and they LOVE to play hide and seek. But Bert the bear isn't quite as good at hiding as he thinks he is . . . and Frank ALWAYS wins! Every. Single. Time. But when it's Bert's turn to hide, and Frank has to decide between winning … Continue reading ‘Frank and Bert,’ by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros.
A special edition of a well-loved classic makes for a timeless Christmas gift. Below, are some of the latest titles I’ve received which bring classic tales to life in new and surprising ways. Please – draw me a sheep. I blinked. The voice belonged to a charming little prince. The characters of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's … Continue reading Classics for Christmas
I never cease to be amazed by the vast collection of animals who make annual pilgrimages to find warmer climes or breeding grounds. As someone who needs a sat-nav to find her way almost anywhere, I am completely in awe the various strategies animals use to travel thousands of miles. This blog post features a … Continue reading Amazing Migrations
It’s that time of year when some of our thoughts may turn to the spooky or the magical. This blog features some of the latest titles I’ve been sent which reflect these themes. Take a look but don’t get scared…! Board Books ‘Five Spooky Friends,’ by Danielle McLean, illustrated by Rosalind Maroney (Little Tiger Press) … Continue reading Happy Halloween
A couple of months ago, I was honoured to do the cover reveal for Alex Cotter’s creepy, atmospheric middle grade debut. Today, I’m thrilled to be part of the blog tour AND have a special piece by Alex about the power of spooky stories. “Where has Faith's dad gone? Why has he left his family … Continue reading Blog tour: ‘The House on the Edge,’ Alex Cotter, cover by Kathrin Honesta.
I love this series of ‘How to be….’ titles from Nosy Crow. ‘How to be a Footballer and Other Sports Jobs’ is written by Rachel Yankey OBE (former England and Arsenal legend) comes highly recommended by Book Boy Jr. ‘Do you have what it takes to become a professional footballer, a manager or even to … Continue reading ‘How to be a Footballer and Other Sports Jobs,’ by Rachel Yankey & Sol Linero.
If you happen to have book vouchers burning a hole in your pocket, you might like to pre-order yourself a copy of this spine-tingling new title publishing on the 1st July 2021. Where has Faith's dad gone? Why has he left his family living in an old house perched on a crumbling cliff top? A … Continue reading Cover Reveal: ‘The House on the Edge,’ by Alex Cotter….
In a time when travel options are severely limited, we need books which can which us away to exotic and faraway locations. Preferably with a large dollop of adventure mixed in for good measure. That’s exactly what you get from Nizrana Farook’s second novel set on the tropical shores of Serendib (Sri Lanka.) A thrilling … Continue reading ‘The Boy Who Met a Whale,’ by Nizrana Farook, cover by David Dean.
There have been lots of posts from teachers looking for collections of short stories to share online with their classes. I’ve put together a quick summary of some of my KS2 favourites with links to more in-depth reviews if I’ve written them. Please make sure you check each publishers’ guidelines for sharing their books online … Continue reading Short Story Collections
The brilliantly magnificent Mabel is back in a new title with a festive twist. It features three chucklesome short stories which would be perfect for readers who are developing in confidence. Life often doesn’t seem for to Mabel Chase. School is always so sameish, no-one wants to let her look after her baby cousin, and … Continue reading Christmas Advent – Day 22 ‘Magnificent Mabel and the Christmas Elf,’ by Ruth Quayle, illustrated by Julia Christians.
Today’s choice is a lovely story about a little mouse searching for a new home on Christmas Eve and all the creatures she helps along the way. ‘It’s Christmas Eve, and Mouse is trying to find the perfect place to call home. But by the time she’s helped Bunny, Fox and Bear, the sun has … Continue reading Christmas Advent – Day 21 ‘A House for Christmas Mouse,’ by Rebecca Harry.
When Book Boy was younger, this imaginative dinosaur series was on constant bedtime story repeat. Although he’s now a very grown-up Year 7, he couldn’t resist having a peek through this new Christmassy title when it dropped through our letterbox. When Santa’s sleigh gets stuck in a snowdrift on Christmas Eve, there’s only one team … Continue reading Christmas Advent – Day 19 ‘Dinosaur Christmas,’ by Penny Dale.
Library Girl and Book Boy 