2021

Treasure Hunt House by Kate Davies Illustrated by Becca Stadtlander

Lincoln ISBN 9781847809575 £14.99 This is a sumptuous picture book for older readers.  It takes the form of a treasure hunt and centres around two children when they go to visit their great-aunt Martha for a holiday.  She is not there, but her housekeeper, Jo, tells them about what has been planned.  The idea is…

There’s room for everyone written and illustrated by Anahita Teymorian

Tiny Owl ISBN 9781910328361 £12.99 This is a superb book with a very straightforward but profound message, which is ‘there is room in the world for everyone’.  The text is simple with only about twenty words on each double page spread but those words give us a thought provoking message about the way we should…

The Clue is in the Pooh and other stuff too by Andy Seed Illustrated by Claire Almon

QED ISBN 9781784935733  £12.99 I like the mix of information and fun in this book. We are encouraged to be wildlife detectives and find clues, and learn about creatures from what they leave behind. There are sections on poo, faeces and dung, footprints and tracks, what lives where, animal lunch, skin, eggs and shells and…

Perfectly Peculiar Plants  by Chris Thorogood Illustrated by Catell Ronca

W & P ISBN 9781786032850 £12.99 A fabulous book. We are invited to walk through the earth’s most peculiar plants. Chris Thorogood has an encyclopaedic knowledge and provides interesting information in an accessible way. The artwork is vibrant and colourful. A vast range of plants from across the globe is included from the giant waterlily…

Lavinia and the Magic Ring. by Bianca Pitzorno. Translated by Laura Watkinson. Illustrated by Quentin Blake

Catnip Publishing.  ISBN 9781910611180   £5.99 This massively successfully story of Lavinia and Her Magic Ring has been a hit around the world and kept in print since the 70s, but it is the first time it has been available translated into English. The author has been likened to an Italian Roald Dahl and, when accompanied…

Atlas of Adventures: Wonders of the World by Ben Handicott Illustrated by Lucy Letherland 

Wide Eyed Editions ISBN: 9781786032171  £20.00 This is an awe-inspiring book. We are taken on a trip round the world and visit some of the most amazing places. We witness the swirling Northern Lights of the Aurora Borealis, step into a fairy tale at Neuschwanstein Castle, keep our cool in the hottest place on earth,…

Bloom by Nicola Skinner Illustrated by Flavia Sorrentino Harper Collins

 (www.harpercollins.co.uk) ISBN 9780008297381   £12.99 This is the debut novel by author Nicola Skinner and is an absolute delight. Blossoming with character and humour, this is a story about a girl called Sorrel and her discovery of a packet of ‘surprising seeds’ and the fantastical notion of flora bursting forth from heads. It is packed full…

Toto the Ninja Cat and the Superstar Catastrophe by Dermot O’Leary illustrated by Nick East

Hodder Children’s books  ISBN 9781444952056  £9.99 Toto the ninja crime busting cat is off on a well-earned holiday to a music festival. Far from restful however, she soon finds herself embroiled in a quest to prevent her nemesis Archduke Ferdicat hypnotising the crowd for his own wicked ends.  Luckily Toto’s skills and her trusty helpers…

Mr Penguin and the Fortress of Secrets written and illustrated by Alex T Smith

Hodder ISBN 9781444932102 £6.99 This is the second story about the adventurous Mr Penguin, who together with his sidekick Colin, (a spider and kung fu expert), is always solving mysteries and actually getting into trouble.  In this book he is sent to retrieve a fabulously expensive jewel that needs to be returned to a museum,…