The Light Jar is Lisa Thompson’s second novel, the first being the incredibly popular The Goldfish Boy. Meet Nate. In the middle of the night, he and his mum, leave home. Suddenly. Bags packed… without telling Gary, mum’s boyfriend. Gary must never know where they are going. Nate and his mum arrive at a tumble…
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls, a classic American children’s book, came as a recommendation from a good friend in California. It’s a book written during the 1950s and is about a much simpler time and way of living a rural life. And this “roam amongst the forests” life is led by the…
A swashbuckling Victoriana expedition through the skies Brightstorm, a debut novel by Vashti Hardy published by Scholastic in March 2018, is something of a Northern Lights crossed with sky-ships. I have always loved the notion of flying in a hot air balloon but, being afraid of heights, this book has given my imagination the freedom…
This short, specially-written World Book Day story by David Almond is a little gem. Written in Almond’s signature poetic, ethereal prose it’s a story of a girl called Louise and her father visiting the northern island of Lindisfarne. They go every year to remember the memory of her dead mother. On the way to the…
During World War II, children from families who lived in the cities were evacuated to the countryside but what happened to all the pets? When the war comes, who will save the animals? Miriam Halahmy’s The Emergency Zoo is an adventure story with fantastic leaps and turns, the reader is taken on a journey to…
Katherine Rundell (The Wolf Wilder, Rooftoppers) and Emily Sutton’s (Lots) One Christmas Wish is heart thumpingly beautiful, tender and uplifting. It is THE book to gift on Christmas Eve. Without a doubt. ‘It was Christmas Eve, and Theodore was fighting a cardboard box.’ …and so the story begins. Theo is alone, apart from a snoring babysitter.…
It’s another fabulously funny caper from Tom McLaughlin, thanks to his Accidental series. The Accidental Father Christmas is a great novel which doesn’t fail to hit the festive funny bone. Ben is a curious kid. Does Father Christmas really, really exist? Ben has sent him plenty of letters over the years, all nicely written, asking for…
WARNING: AN ELVES ONLY PICTURE BOOK REVIEW Let’s talk about stocking fillers. I’m always a bit flummoxed when online stocking filler searches offer up bulky, bank-busting suggestions. Although wonderful, a helicopter, a personalised football and an engraved child’s bracelet (with birthstone!!!) are not, to my mind, stocking fillers. Traditionally, Christmas stockings were stuffed with small…
You may never wear rose-tinted glasses again… A Place Called Perfect by Helena Duggan, published by Usborne, is a fabulous, inventive read. It is as if the phrase ‘rose-tinted glasses’ has been created just for this book which, if you loved Beetle Boy, you will enjoy immensely. A vivid tale with glasses that stop you…
I WANT A MINIATURE DINOSAUR! The Polar Bear Explorer’s Club is the latest middle grade novel by Alex Bell, illustrated by Tomislav Tomic. Stella is a snow orphan, and has been taken in and raised as a daughter by the fabulous Felix, a famous explorer. She is instantly the coolest hero I’ve ever come across…
I’m not sure why, but there’s something special about stories featuring animals at Christmas time. Is it because they remind us of our own childhoods? Of solemnly arranging wooden sheep and cows around the Nativity crib? Or of the carols we looked forward to for much of the year? I always loved the reference to…
FUN, FICTION AND FACTUAL FOOTNOTES I’ve always loved a footnote. They promise so much fascinating information. My eyes light up when I see that little number, perching above a word like a bountiful fairy godmother hovering over a baby. You never know what you’re about to find out. I once wrote a book stuffed with…
Inverness 1889, accused of starting a fire that destroys the market and the livelihood of many in the city, 12 year-old Phin runs for his life. Escaping the harsh hands of a bitter uncle and an angry mob of traders, he finds himself in-tow with a family of travelling entertainers. Desperate not to be found…
Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow launches with a dim, dark start. Poor Morrigan has been labelled as a cursed child. Everything is her fault. Everything. Her family dislike her – such bad luck to have a cursed child. The apparent bleakness of tone is punctuated by some great touches of humour from Jessica Townsend. Morrigan…
A girl powered Walliams-esk, romping read! There is one phrase to describe The Matilda Effect by Ellie Irving and that’s ‘GIRL POWER’! Matilda is a young, enthusiastic inventor who is overshadowed by her male and somewhat useless counterparts. After losing to the ultra-untalented Thomas Thomas at Arnos Yarm’s School Science Competition AND learning her grandmother…
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Great review, thanks for posting the pictures. Really makes a difference with picture book reviews. Will order for the store…
His books are a great way help kids read while soaking up important Science concepts without even knowing it. Ironically,…
Ooh, this sounds fantastic!