A day out for a prince and his lady beckons, they leave their baby in the capable hands of their loyal dog, Gelert. Upon their return, they are devastated to see their dog covered in blood with no sign of their child. What has happened in their absence? In a case of mistaken canine identity,…
Cù Giobach by Colas Gutman, Illustrated by Marc Boutvant. Translated by Gillebrìde Mac ‘IlleMhaoil. Review by Morag Ann MacNeil ’S e leabhar chloinne Frangach, sgrìobhte le Colas Gutman, a th’ ann an Chien Pourri agus tha e againn a-nis anns a’ Ghàidhlig air sàillibh an deagh obair aig Gillebrìde Mac ’IlleMhaoil. Tha Cù Giobach gar…
Gwen is the only one in her family that doesn’t seem to like the new baby sitter, Esme. Her tall looming figure radiates fear as she silently stalks around their home, a dilapidated house left to them by her Gran on an island that can cut them off from civilisation at a moment’s notice. Trying…
A fabulous YA novel which will enthral readers of all ages. When Kit’s younger sister Libby goes missing her world crashes down as she tries to find her. When her mum appears to have no recollection of Libby, Kit reels at the thought and is determined to find out what happened to her entranced sister…
‘…the dolls’ glass eyes stared into space until Delores whispered, “You don’t fool me”. They blinked back in unison…’ Delores and Prudence arrive back to The Tollbooth Bookstore with one eye on the shadows and the other on the deserted shop floor. An unseen change in the atmosphere confirms their suspicions that all is…
12 year-old Luca Verani knows exactly how his life is going to pan out. He doesn’t need to sit exams or do homework, he’s going to run his families ice cream cafè like his dad and grandad before him. When he hears rumours of the cafè closing down, he must do everything he can to…
Life is not easy for Jane Eyre as she tries to find her place in a sometimes unforgiving world. Moved from pillar to post, she encounters hatred and disdain at every corner. Her younger years spent unloved within the walls of Gateshead Hall. Only to realise the same fate as a governess for the Rochester…
Shadowhall Academy: The Whispering Walls has all the spine-tingling hallmarks I’ve come to expect from a Phil Hickes novel. It’s packed with fantastic friendships, moments of ringing tension, jump scares, and prose that’s so buttery smooth the pages practically turn themselves. But don’t stray too far from the big light switch as you follow…
This second fantasy adventure by wonderful wordsmith Nicola Davies is brimming with wisdom and heart. A prequel to The Song That Sings Us, and set in that same richly-imagined world, we follow young tiger cub Skrimsli on a perilous journey across mountains, deserts, and seas as he seeks to protect those he calls ‘kin’…
Set in Autumn of 1961, Dan Smith’s latest children’s novel opens right before the Berlin Wall cuts off East Berlin from West Berlin, splintering families, friends and lives along with it. Told from the point of view of two children experiencing the event as it unfolds –The Wall Between Us shows readers how the everyday…
What a treat to have the brilliant Sue Wallman on the blog today answering MBC’s infamous questions! Sue is the Queen of Twists when it comes to writing thrillers and her latest YA novel, Every Word A Lie, has one of the best ones yet. Read on to find out more about the author…
A flash of darkness out the corner of her eye, and a sudden feeling of impending doom she can’t seem to shake makes Delores Mackenzie wish she was a little closer to home. She only has one option. Run. Spirits, ghosts and ghouls have always made themselves known to Delores, but this time there is…
Shelby and Davy know that they must never venture beyond the perimeter fence. It’s against the rules. Living in an ethical low-tech closed community can be incredibly boring at times so when a hole appears in the fence and sheep have gone missing, there’s only one thing they’d rather be doing than chores and school.…
Exquisitely penned. Tender, filled with voice and heart, Wider Than the Sea is a fabulous debut from Irish writer Serena Molloy. Ró is struggling with the words on the page – they swim around – but not in the delicate way the dolphin in the sea does. It takes a tuned-in teacher to reach over to…
It’s 1904, promises of a better world ring in Luki’s ears as she arrives in St Louis to take part in its World’s Fair. The land of opportunity awaits her and those from her tribe but all is not quite what it seems once they step onto dry land. She seeks a better life, one…
Stay notified of new posts!
Or subscribe here via email!
activity (39) adventure (413) animal (230) Australia (60) Australian Author (197) Author Interview (192) bedtime (23) Best Book 2017 (24) books about books (31) Chapter Book (554) Christmas (89) Christmas Eve (25) dogs (25) Easter (24) environment (83) family (573) fantasy (108) Friendship (726) grief (48) Halloween (70) historical fiction (35) history (72) humour (654) identity (44) illustrated chapter book (63) Illustrator Interview (60) imagination (64) individuality (89) magic (45) middle grade (49) mystery (90) nature (154) nonfiction (128) picture book (940) rhyme (60) school (41) series (49) space (23) travel (24) UK Author (196) UK Author & Illustrator (33) verse (25) World War Two (23) Writing Tips (112) Young Adult (37)