Each month we add more reviews of books for children, categorised by suggested age range (0-5: Reception/Foundation; 5-7: Key Stage 1; 7-9 Lower Key Stage 2; 9-11: Upper Key Stage 2).
You can use the search box to find a particular title, author, or reviewer.
Page 1 of 1
A Year Full of Celebrations and Festivals edited by Clare Grace Illustrated by Christopher Corr
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9780711245426 £9.99 This is an excellent book that is great value for money. We travel the world finding out about over 90 celebrations and festivals. There are religious, cultural and historical dates including national holidays. We are given information in appropriate language and plenty of colourful, playful illustrations that engage…
The Tigers in the Tower by Julia Golding
Lion Hudson ISBN 9781782643173 £7.99 What a great idea – take a little-known true story about the Tower of London menagerie and the attempt by its keeper, Alfred Cops, to buy new animals to keep it working as a viable attraction. Add a special delivery from India of two tigers. Weave around it the tale…
The Witch’s Boy by Kelly Barnhill
Piccadilly ISBN 9781848129351 £6.99 This is a magical tale about a young boy Ned, the surviving twin child of Sister Witch. She uses a pot of magic to help those in need and is called to the palace after saving the Queen’s life. While she is away the magic escapes and Ned manages to capture…
The Tech-Head Guide: Drones by William Potter
Wayland ISBN 978-1526309662 £12.99 This is an excellent book that is informative and thought-provoking. Drones, or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, are playing an increasingly important role in our modern world. The book explains what a drone is and explores the history of drones. The timeline highlights how rapidly they have developed. Then we see a clear…
The Greatest Inventor by Ben Brooks Illustrated by George Ermos
Quercus ISBN 9781786541123 £9.99 From the author of The Impossible Boy comes another fast-paced adventure hooking the reader in from the start: the writer, apparently suffering writer’s block meets a boy with a tortoise who tells him the following tale. Victor is tired of his endless daily chores In Rainwater, so is delighted by the arrival of…
The Abbey Mystery by Julia Golding
Lion Hudson ISBN 9781782643340 £7.99 When her older sister Cassandra breaks her arm in a carriage accident, the 13-year-old Jane Austen is sent to Southmoor Abbey, to act as a companion to Lady Cromwell for a week; all part of the celebration for the son of the house’s coming of age party. However, it is…
Victoria Stitch, Bad and Glittering written and illustrated by Harriet Muncaster
OUP ISBN 9780192773579 £6.99 Celestine and her twin sister Victoria Stitch were born from a diamond, so should have been in line of succession to the throne of Wiskling Wood, but there was a black flaw in the diamond so they were not deemed royal and were sent to live outside the palace. Whilst Celestine…
Stephen Hawking: A Life beyond Limits by Alex Woolf Illustrated by Luisa Uribe and David Shephard
Trailblazer series Little Tiger ISBN 9781788952316 £6.99 This addition to the Trailblazer series is an important book both for KS2 and KS3 readers and is also a historical record for young readers of the future. The book charts the story of Stephen Hawking, starting with an introduction on Black Holes. Regarded as one of the…
Roman Britain and Londinium Time Travel Guide by Ben Hubbard
Franklin Watts ISBN 97811445157313. £8.99 This colourful, well illustrated, visually appealing addition to the Time Travel Guides series draws in all the major strands of Roman daily life such as religion, housing, leisure, entertainment and military matters, and puts these in the context of Roman Britain, with particular reference to Londinium itself. Even the Latin…
Glassheart by Katharine Orton
Walker Books ISBN 9781406385236 £7.99 World War Two is over, and orphaned Nona lives with her Uncle Antoni. Part companion, part helpmate, Nona travels with him as he restores war-damaged stained glass windows to their former beauty. One such project takes the pair to a tiny church on the windswept Dartmoor. Here, not only must…
Anisha Accidental Detective – School’s Cancelled! by Serena Patel
Usborne Publishing Ltd ISBN 9781474959537 £5.99 Another lively and fast paced book from Serena Patel featuring schoolgirl detective Anisha and her loyal friends. This time, it’s the school science fair but the team’s experiment of a foaming volcano goes awry leading to the school being shut down. Anisha suspects foul play and an investigation is…
Amazing Islands: 100+ Places That Will Boggle Your Mind by Sabrina Weiss Illustrated by Kerry Hyndman
What on Earth Publishing Ltd ISBN 9781912920150 £14.99 This book is a fact filled celebration of some of the most amazing islands on Earth. They have all been chosen with care by the author. There are islands from every ocean and there is also a mixture of countries that the islands belong to and a…
The Weed written and illustrated by Quentin Blake
Tate Publishing ISBN 978-1849767453 £7.99 The Meadowsweet family suddenly find themselves at the bottom of a huge crack in the earth, can they be rescued, who would even know they were there? Their Mynah bird Octavia offers to fly to the top of the crack – she returns with a seed in her mouth which…
Moon Dog by Jane Eldon
Hachette Children’s Books ISBN 9781444955705 £6.99 Inspired by the authors own experiences with rescue animals and the darker side of puppy farms and animal trading, Moon Dog is a delightful read for children and pet lovers alike. We meet two misfits, the tall ungainly Marcus and the tiny but “tremendous” Delilah. Both children have suffered…
Johnny Ball: accidental football genius by Matt Oldfield Illustrated by Tim Wesson
Walker Books ISBN 9781406391268 £5.99 Johnny, the hero of this story, is fanatical about football along with all the members of his family. Both parents had played for the local team, Tissbury Town, and his older brother, Daniel is already playing for the junior team (The Tissbury Tigers). The problem is that Johnny is just…
Above and Below: Sea and Shore by Harriet Evans and Hannah Bailey
Little Tiger Books ISBN 9781838911782 £12.99 An excellent introduction to the sea and shore. We visit a range of ocean habitats – coastline, kelp forest, polar ocean, estuary, tropical shore, coral reef, mangrove and the deep sea. Information is presented in bit size portions that are easily accessible. There are fascinating facts. Did you know…
The Fairy Penguin by Tilda Kelly Illustrated by Gavin Scott
Little Tiger ISBN 9781788815864 £11.99 A well written children’s story with a conservation theme which will appeal to girls. Millie is dreading the school holidays, having moved to Australia with her father after her mother’s death. They are living with her mother’s mother on a farm in Australia. But when she finds a little blue…
Impossible by Tracey Corderoy Illustrated by Tony Neal
Little Tiger ISBN 9781788815864 £11.99 Dog lives in a big city but he spends his nights dreaming of the ocean and wishing that he could be there. One day he buys some new washing powder for his laundry business; it is called “Ocean magic” and when he uses it for the first time something magical…
A Little Bit Worried by Ciara Gavin Illustrated by Tim Warnes
Little Tiger ISBN 9781788815895 £6.99 Weasel was having a lovely walk in the wood, collecting leaves, when suddenly he gets caught by a storm. There is wind, rain and hail and weasel is scared by the weather. He manages to build himself a house and settles down to protect himself against the storm. Some days…
Who Said CHEEP? by Yi-Hsuan Wu
Little Tiger Press ISBN 9781788818773 £6.99 A charming interactive board book for young children. The mission is to work out “Who said ‘Cheep?’ Was it Puppy? Butterfly? Bunny? Deer or Chick? The pairings will amuse children as they learn which animal makes each noise. There are attractive illustrations in bright colours, sturdy flaps and a…
Where’s My Dinosaur? Illustrated by Kate McLelland
Little Tiger ISBN 9781788818834 £6.99 A charming board book with “Touch and feel pages”. The cover of the book shows a dinosaur with cut away touch and feel sections. Inside readers follow a trail of coloured footprints and meet exciting animals such as a Shark with bright white teeth, a Crocodile with a delightful smile…
All Aboard the Numbers Train Illustrated by Sean Sims
OUP ISBN 9780192774705 £6.99 A very attractive book that encourages children to explore numbers. The reader joins six children and a dog at the station. Then we zoom into space and count planets, stars and aliens on an amazing journey. The artwork is vibrant and bold with bright colours against a black background. The fun-filled…
Day and Night by Harriet Evans Illustrated by Lirios Bou
Little Tiger ISBN 9781838912710 £8.99 What a delightful book! This “switch-a-picture” book introduces us to a range of scenarios – forest, desert, marshes, savannah and jungle. In each case we are shown the habitat and some of the creatures who live there during the day. Then, with a switch of the picture flap, we get…
Goodnight Farm by Becky Davies Illustrated by Carmen Saldaña
Little Explorers series Little Tiger Press ISBN 9781912756285 £7.99 A well designed book with peep-through pages that reveal more peep-through pages! We start in the field at night and meet a variety of creatures. Then we move round various parts of the farm. I particularly like the stables with horses, cats and pigs and the…
Dance Like A Flamingo by Moira Butterfield Illustrated by Claudia Bolt
Welbeck Children’s ISBN 9781913519001 £12.99 This is a charming book for younger readers. It encourages them to “move and groove like the animals do!” The creatures featured come from around the world, and the range is wide – flamingo, lemur, crab, baby owl, lizard, dolphin, penguin, bee, chimpanzee, peacock, jellyfish and baby elephant. Each left…
Along Came A Fox by Georgiana Deutsch Illustrated by Cally Johnson-Isaacs
Little Tiger ISBN ISBN 9781788816908 £6.99 This is a story about a fox called Bramble and Hazel the hedgehog who go looking for fireflies. Bramble follows the advice of Twig the owl and looks near the lake. She is frightened by another fox. She is rude to the fox, who is rude in reply. She…
I’m Sorry! by Barry Timms Illustrated by Sean Julian
Little Tiger ISBN 978788815895 £6.99 The cover of this book is delightful – an owl and a squirrel are shown in a heartfelt embrace. Swoop and Scribble are great friends and decide to find a home they can share. They move in, and enjoy sitting on the veranda. Then they have a quarrel, and both…
There Are Fish Everywhere by Katie Haworth Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
Big Picture Press ISBN 9781787417755 £7.99 This book is the first in a new series of non-fiction Big Picture books illustrated by Bertha Teckentrup. The reader has to put on diving goggles to plunge under the water to discover and explore the world beneath the surface. Beautifully illustrated the double page spreads allow the reader…
Dinosaurs I Can Learn by Lauren Crisp Illustrated by Thomas Elliott
Little Tiger ISBN 9781838911898 £6.99 This is an excellent board book. The dinosaurs on the cover are appealing and as we journey through the book we meet a range of creatures. Starting at the Triassic we move through the Jurassic to the Cretaceous period. Pages are filled with some rhyming text, names with pronunciation guides…
Calmness Big Words For Little People by Helen Mortimer Illustrated by Cristina Trapanese
Oxford Children’s Books ISBN 9780192777638 £5.99 This book offers an opportunity to focus on calm. It explores age appropriate language associated with calm. The illustrations are in gentle colours and depict various calm moments in an outdoor space. I particularly like the chance to imagine something peaceful. Adults can use the book to encourage children…
Mrs Noah’s Garden by Jackie Morris Illustrated by James Mayhew
Otter-Barry ISBN:9781910959466 £12.99 Mrs Noah’s Garden by Jackie Morris. Illustrated by James Mayhew Otter-Barry ISBN:9781910959466 £12.99 What a wonderfully different slant this is on the Bible story of Noah’s Ark. This second book in the series focuses refreshingly again on the resourceful, capable and creative character that is Mrs Noah. Once the Ark…
Monkey’s Tail by Alex Rance
Allen &Unwin ISBN 9781911631811 £11.99 Alex Rance is an ex rugby player who had to have knee reconstruction, which ended his rugby career. This is his second children’s book following Tiger’s Roar. It is written for early years children in primary schools or for teachers and parents to read to children. A howler monkey injures…
The Perfect Shelter by Clare Helen Welsh Illustrated by Asa Gilland
Little Tiger Press ISBN:9781788815789 £11.99 I am in awe of writers who can tackle difficult subjects for children, making them accessible and a little less frightening. This writer is no exception. Here two sisters choose the perfect day to build a shelter in the woods, singing as they work. However it is not just the…
Wings: Flyboy (Take to the Skies), Tom Palmer, illustrated by David Shephard
Barrington Stoke (www.barringtonstoke.co.uk) ISBN 9781781125359 £5.99 Are you casting around for a text to inspire a reluctant reader aged 8+? Do you have few books in school where your ethnic minority pupils can see themselves reflected in the protagonists? Then this first book in a new series might be just the answer. Winningly, it uses…
The White Fox, written & illustrated by Jackie Morris
Barrington Stoke ISBN 9781781125229 £10.99 If, like me, you are an admirer of Jackie Morris’s beautifully evocative work, then you will not be disappointed by this latest offering. If she is a new name for you, then just a simple online search for images of her many book-covers will surely be enough to draw you…
What on Earth? Wind, Isabel Thomas, illustrated by Paulina Morgan
QED ISBN 9781784935535 £8.99 A fascinating non-fiction book which invites its readers to ‘explore’, ‘investigate’ and ‘create’, as they learn about different facets of the busy wind. This beautifully presented, 62- page book is simply bursting with information. Each double-page spread starts with a carefully explained introductory paragraph, followed by well-thought illustrations and interspersed with…
We Are Giants, Amber Lee Dodd
Quercus Children’s Books ISBN 9781784294212 £6.99 We Are Giants is a gripping story about a girl whose father has died and whose mother has dwarfism. It is equally a book about growing up, family, moving house and so many other experiences which children in upper KS2/lower KS3 will find utterly relevant. Amber Lee Dodd set…
There May be a Castle, Piers Torday
Quercus Children’s Books ISBN 9781848668621 £12.99 I picked up this book with considerable anticipation both on merit of the author and the fact that it is a Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize winner. Yet I found it very difficult to access with my children’s fiction ‘hat’ on and constantly felt, as I read, that I was…
Sweet Pizza, G.R. Gemin
Nosy Crow Ltd ISBN 9780857636300 £6.99 I must admit that I am a little biased here. First, I am Welsh. Second, I studied for a Welsh history degree that featured on the topic of this tale. The early part of the 1900s was a time of great exciting in Wales and the opening up of…
Survivors of the Holocaust, Zane Whittingham and Ryan Jones
Franklin Watts ISBN 9781445150444 £12.99 What a really good idea – the stories of six survivors of the Holocaust told largely in their own words. It makes a moving testament to one of the most evil events of the Twentieth Century. The simple statement of such troubling times brings home the enormity of the event.…
Spymaster 2: Traitor’s Game, Jan Burchett and Sara Vogler
Orion Children’s Books ISBN 9781444010701 £6.99 This is another terrific story in the ‘Spymaster’ series – this time the action takes place in the court of Henry VIII whilst staying at Greenwich Palace. Set in 1532, when tensions with Spain are rising, the action centres around finding out who is leaking information to the Spanish…
The Snow Globe by Jean Ure, illustrated by Charlie Alder
Barrington Stoke ISBN 9781781125946 £5.99 This is a lovely book for emerging readers. This particular publisher’s books are ‘tested for children and young people, for children and young people’, and I think this is evident in the way that the story unfolds and the vocabulary used. There are illustrations for each chapter, helping to bring…
Rugby Flyer: Haunting history, thrilling tries (Rugby Spirit), Gerard Siggins
The O’Brien Press ISBN 9781847178190 £6.99 When I was sent a copy of this book I was over the moon. Having followed the adventures of Eoin since the start I have been eagerly anticipating the next instalment. I am an avid rugby fan, coach and official and no story could be more suited to me!…
Rose Campion and the Stolen Secret, Lyn Gardner
Nosy Crow ISBN: 9780857634863 £6.99 The story is a murder mystery that is set in Victorian music halls. The main character, Rose, has a young Miss Marple quality that endears her to the reader. This is a story for the more mature reader. Indeed although it is billed as junior fiction it is one that…
My Gym Teacher Is An Alien Overlord, David Solomons, illustrated by Laura Ellen Anderson
Nosy Crow Ltd ISBN 9780857637338 £6.99 This is the second book in the series after the much acclaimed first novel, My Brother is a Superhero. In this story Luke has a feeling that his PE teacher is an alien and he is convinced that he wants to destroy the earth. Through a typical relationship with his…
Mother Teresa: her life and work, Paul Harrison
Wayland ISBN 9780750295956 £12.99 Her small frame instantly recognisable, Mother Teresa became one of the most famous and influential spiritual leaders of the twentieth century, though such fame was of constant concern to her. Born to an Albanian family in modern day Macedonia, the young Gonxha, as she was named, soon felt drawn to the…
The Mermaid’s Sister, Holly Webb
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408327647 £6.99 The second in a series of 4 books based in Venice and aimed at KS2 and early KS3, The Mermaid’s Sister continues the adventures of a magical royal dynasty as they face threats from a neighbouring city. Lady Mia is cousin to Olivia, the duchess of Venice; a ruler loved…
Malkin Moonlight, Emma Cox
Bloomsbury Children’s Books ISBN 9781408870846 £6.99 This is a simply beautiful tale of hope, courage and success of those who may not have had an easy start in life. As teachers we spend a lot of time encouraging our learners to be the best that they can be, irrespective of their background or previous experiences.…
Mabel Jones and the Forbidden City, Will Mabbitt, illustrated by Ross Collins
Puffin ISBN 9780141355320 £6.99 This is the second instalment in the Mabel Jones series of adventures. Having read the first in this series I was expecting a great mastery of language to engage and surprise as the book continued. This book certainly did this and more. I love the way that Will Mabbitt plays with…
Lupo and the Lost Pirate of Kensington Palace (The Adventures of a Royal Dog), Aby King, illustrated by Sam Usher
Hodder Children’s Publishing ISBN 9781444921571 £6.99 This book is a clever twist on a royal tale, taking the view of the resident palace dog Lupo who belongs to the young Prince George. This brave and friendly dog is determined to help keep his beloved home and family safe from the misfortunes brought upon them by…
The Last Immortal, Alex Marlowe
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers ISBN 978-0349131801 £6.99 The cover of this book really hooked me for a start but, of course, one must never judge a book by its cover. This was a complex tale that made an adult reader like me think hard. It is certainly a book that would be read…
Inspiring Artists – Vincent Van Gogh, Ruth Thomson
Franklin Watts ISBN 9781445145556 £12.99 One of a series of six, this heavily and colourfully illustrated book provides a full and informative picture of Van Gogh the man and his works, both famous and less well-known. We learn of some of his artistic influences with comparative illustrations to show how he based some of his…
The History Detective Investigates London, Claudia Martin
Wayland Books ISBN 9780750297691 £12.99 This latest addition to the ‘History Detective’ series focuses on the history of London. The book covers important events or periods in the story of London, from its foundation by the Romans right up to the present day. Each spread contains text, images, extracts from a relevant primary source, as…
Historium, Richard Wilkinson and Jo Nelson
Big Picture Press ISBN 9781783701889 £20 What a great concept – 130 artefacts from a wide variety of civilisations. Each artefact is stunningly drawn in great detail, and explained in context in the accompanying text. Arranging the content by continent makes finding what you are looking for incredibly easy, although some civilisations, like Ancient Sumer,…
Greenling, Levi Pinfold
Templar Publishing ISBN 9781783700554 £12.99 When Mr Barleycorn brings home a green baby he finds in the hedgerow, Mrs Barleycorn is at first unimpressed and ultimately angry at having such a creature brought into her home. But as fruit and vegetables take over their living space, transport and means of communication, the Barleycorns come to…
The Great Fire of London, Emma Adams, illustrated by James Weston Lewis
Wayland Books ISBN 97780750298209 £12.99 Published to coincide with the 350th Anniversary of the Great Fire in 1666, this re-telling of the story is lavishly and strikingly illustrated. It describes London at the time, the cause of the fire, attempts to put it out and the planned rebuilding of the City afterwards. There are some…
Discover the Ancient Egyptians, Isabel & Imogen Greenberg
Frances Lincoln ISBN 9781847808257 £8.99 This is a delightfully illustrated introduction to life in Ancient Egypt, from pharaohs to farmers, from gods to warriors. Attractively written in an engaging manner, it had my 11 year old reading it from cover to cover. The examples used are of central importance to the topic as, for example,…
Discover the Ancient Egyptians, Isabel & Imogen Greenberg
Frances Lincoln ISBN 9781847808257 £8.99 This is a delightfully illustrated introduction to life in Ancient Egypt, from pharaohs to farmers, from gods to warriors. Attractively written in an engaging manner, it had my 11 year old reading it from cover to cover. The examples used are of central importance to the topic as, for example,…
Degas and the Little Dancer, written & illustrated by Laurence Anholt
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781847808141 £6.99 Laurence Anholt’s Artists series of eight celebrates famous artists through true stories about the real children who knew them. The little dancer is Marie van Goethen who dreams of becoming the most famous ballerina in the world. Degas visited her ballet school in Paris where he drew the…
Crimson Poison, Susan Moore
Nosy Crow ISBN 9780857634498 £6.99 This book is unlike many that I have read before. At first glance it appears a little confusing but stick with it as within a few pages you are hooked into a new world that will take you on unusual adventures. The story will open up the reader’s imaginations to…
Coco Chanel – Little People, Big Dreams, Isabel Sanchez Vegara, translated by Emma Martinez, illustrated by Ana Albero
Frances Lincoln ISBN 9781847807717 £9.99 There is much to be celebrated in this biography, for it shows that anyone, from whatever background, has the opportunity to live a fulfilling life; that those from an unpromising background can rise above low expectations. And not least, it shows that women are just as influential as men on…
The Brontës Children of the Moors, Mick Manning and Brita Granström
Franklin Watts ISBN 9781445147314 £12.99 What a wonderful introduction to the Brontës, their lives and work this book is! The premise is that the author, who in reality as an eight year old boy played a small part in a TV series of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights, doses off and wakes only to meet Charlotte…
British Wildlife, Matthew Morgan & Laura Knowles
QED Publishing ISBN 9781784935511 £9.99 This delightful book takes us on a visual journey through the vibrant and varied wildlife of Britain. The illustrations are beautiful and detailed, and the central text on each double-page spread describes the environment which the creatures inhabit. Some of the double page spreads pose questions, which are thought provoking.…
Boy X, Dan Smith
Chicken House Ltd ISBN 9781909489042 £6.99 This is a story billed as being from the same canon as Stormbreaker. That genre of fiction that takes children on a rollercoaster ride through action and adventure. This book certainly doesn’t disappoint. It involves a deadly virus and children discussed the impact of worldwide viruses such as the…
Banksy Art Breaks the Rules, Hettie Bingham
Wayland ISBN 9780750299763 £7.99 Banksy is a fascinating character and many children will enjoy this book. Despite the status of his work, Banksy remains an enigma and the book traces his journey from a Bristol street artist to an international celebrity. Clues about his identity are explored. The book includes information about his exhibitions and…
Alice Jones: The Impossible Clue, Sarah Rubin
Chicken House Ltd ISBN 9781910002865 £6.99 Teaching in Wales, the magic of the new Sherlock adventure is a popular discussion point amongst older children and the staff alike. The desire is for mysteries to be solved but to be done so in a modern way. This story will go some way to quenching that thirst.…
100 Steps for Science: Why It Works and How It Happened, Lisa Jane Gillespie, illustrated by Yukai Du
Wide Eyed Editions ISBN 9781847808059 £14.99 This book teaches us about science. It covers space; wheels; numbers; light; sound; particles; medicine; materials; energy and life. Gillespie demonstrates how scientific observations from ancient civilizations have helped shape our world today, and how recent discoveries have evolved. Each of the ten areas has ten breakthrough moments. We…
23 Ways To Be An Eco Hero, Isabel Thomas
QED Publishing ISBN 9781784933418 £8.99 Here is a timely book, packed with ideas to encourage our youngsters to become more eco- aware and eco-friendly. The 23 projects are grouped into the three categories of wildlife, waste and energy reduction. Each project contains clear, illustrated instructions for making such varied items as a rubbish grabber, a…
Will & Nill, Farhad Hassanzadeh, translated by Azita Rassi, illustrated by Atieh Markazi
Tiny Owl Books ISBN 9781910328125 £12.99 This is a colourful and amusing tale of two street cats called Will and Nill as they consider how to best serve their two primary needs- finding food and sleeping! The illustrations in the story perfectly depict the lazy and dusky haze of a blisteringly hot day, and capture…
Unicorn in New York: Louie Lets Loose! Rachel Hamilton, illustrated by Oscar Armelles
Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192744975 £5.99 I was, I will admit, a little unsure at first about a unicorn trying to be part of a performing arts school in New York. However, this is a very straight forward story that actually will really engage younger readers in Year 3 and some Year 4 readers who…
Trickster, Tom Moorhouse
Oxford University Press ISBN 978-0192743992 £6.99 I was never a fan of rats. They conjure up the idea of fear in the hearts of many. For most people, they wouldn’t be the first choice for a children’s tale. However, Tom Moorhouse has crafted a story with a rat at the centre. Indeed the author has…
Superhero Street, Phil Earle, illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
Orion ISBN 9781444013887 £6.99 This is a very exciting and really quite busy and complicated story set in Storey Street (great for fans of Demolition Dad) and the moral is really very heart-warming: Sometimes, Mouse thought with a smile, you don’t need a cape to make you super… Mouse’s home is loving but chaotic and…
The Show Must Go On (Badly Drawn Beth), Knife and Packer
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408337776 £6.99 This is part of a series of ‘Badly Drawn Beth’ books which follow the adventures of heroine Beth as she copes with the everyday delights and disasters of childhood! The Show Must Go On depicts Beth’s trials and tribulations as she faces the impending embarrassment of a singing Dad, a…
The Seal Children, Jackie Morris
Otter-Barry books ISBN 9781910959473 £12.99 What a joy to discover the republication of this glorious book in a beautiful cloth-bound hardback edition. Talented author and water-colourist, Jackie Morris, has relocated the Selkie myth about the seal wife from its more usual Scottish location to her Pembrokeshire coastal home. Instead of the Selkie’s skin being hidden…
Prehistoric Adventures: Stone Circles, John Malam
Wayland Books ISBN 9780750295833 £12.99 What an interesting and attractive book. From the simple yet effective way of differentiating Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age to the interesting selection of prehistoric monuments, this is an appealing and very readable look at one aspect of the Stone Age. The main focus is, as you would…
That Pesky Rat, written and illustrated by Lauren Child
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408337370 £6.99 Did you ever think you could feel sorry for a rat? Well, Lauren Child will tug at your heartstrings with her story of That Pesky Rat. He lives in a dustbin but all he longs for is to be loved as someone’s pet. He envies his friends and their seemingly…
The Ostrich of Pudding Lane, Jeremy Strong, illustrated by Sarah Horne
Conkers (Barrington Stoke) ISBN 9781781125526 £5.99 One of Barrington-Stokes’ Conkers list of titles, this raucous tale from Jeremy Strong had me engaged from page one. The story is not complex: an ostrich appears in the grounds of Pudding Lane Primary School and causes mayhem; it becomes the school mascot; it is kidnapped…and rescued; it causes…
Nancy Parker’s Diary of Detection, Julia Lee
Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192739384 £6.99 Set back in the days when housemaids ran the show, Nancy Parker’s Diary of Detection is certainly not lacking in humour. Alternate chapters depict the thoughts of two delightful, yet contrasting, characters, with whom a young audience can relate. Nancy; a 16-year-old; newly appointed; and rather clumsy housemaid presents…
My Human Body
Wayland Books ISBN 9780750299428 £5.99 Ideal as a home reference book for KS1/2, this infographic sticker book is packed with non-glossy diagrams and information. The book lacks a contents and index page but covers topics such as the skeleton, digestion, respiration and the senses providing different ways of comparing humans and animals by using over…
My Book of Birds, written and illustrated by Geraldo Valério
wren and rook ISBN 9781526360007 £12.99 A stunning illustrated book that introduces young children to many different species of bird. Valério’s collage illustrations capture the distinctive features of a range of birds including the golden eagle, the great white pelican, the osprey, the snowy owl, the great cormorant and the Atlantic puffin. Each bird has…
The Moon Spun Round, W.B. Yeats for Children. edited by Noreen Doddy, illustrated by Shona Shirley Macdonald
O’Brien ISBN 9781847177584 £14.99 The writings of William Butler Yeats are infused with the rural landscapes and haunting tales and legends of his Irish homeland. Kyle-na-no, Dooney and Innisfree may be real, but they conjure up a timelessness and lands of enchantment. This collection includes many of his best loved poems: The Wild Swans at Coole, The…
Moon Princess, Barbara Laban
Chicken House Limited ISBN 9781908435934 £6.99 When I started to read this tale I was unsure as to whether it would be a mystery, a modern fairy tale or both. I was intrigued to find out whether the story being in China would be a critical part of the tale. And a critical part it…
Emily Mouse’s Birthday Party, Vivian French, illustrated by Mark Marshall
Orion Children’s Books ISBN 9781444016147 £4.99 Part of the blue Early Reader series from Orion Children’s Books, Emily Mouse’s Birthday Party is designed to be perfect for sharing and reading together. This is a lovely story which follows Emily Mouse as she prepares to celebrate her birthday by hosting a party with friends. Each page…
Discover the Roman Empire, Isabel and Imogen Greenberg
Frances Lincoln ISBN 9781847808264 £8.99 A companion book to Discover the Ancient Egyptians, this book explores Romans and the Roman Empire – but not Romans in Britain which is the focus of the National Curriculum history unit. Presented in exactly the same way as the Egypt book, this volume looks at Roman history, gods, heroes,…
Children Like Us From Around The World Clothes, Moira Butterfield
Wayland Books ISBN 9780750296120 £12.99 One of a series of six KS1/2 non-fiction books about children from other countries, this book details clothing from different climates, special occasions, national costumes, as well as jewellery, shoes and even hats. Printed with vibrant colours, the photographs are eye-catching and appealing, featuring clothes as varied as yagushkas made…
Born Free Chimp Rescue: A True Story, Jess French
Orion Children’s Books ISBN 9781510100541 £5.99 This book opens with an introduction from Virginia McKenna, OBE, the Founder of the Born Free Foundation. Then we hear the story of Chinoise, a baby chimpanzee who was born in the forest of Cameroon. She was taken from her family to be used in the tourist industry and…
Anna Liza and the Happy Practice, Eoin Colfer, illustrated by Matt Robertson
Barrington Stoke ISBN 9781781125595 £6.99 This book surprised me in a good way. Firstly, it is beautifully drawn and there’s something about its compact, sturdy shape that captured my curiosity. After this, I was expecting a run of the mill story on a medical theme, but this book exceeded my expectations. In a nutshell Anna…
The Accidental Secret Agent, Tom McLaughlin
OUP ISBN 9780192744395 £6.99 I had been lucky enough to read the previous novel, ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’ which was a great text. This book, although separate from the other titles, has the same tone and engages the reader in a world of spoof spy fiction. The character at the centre of the story is…
100 Most Awesome Things On The Planet, Anna Claybourne
QED Publishing ISBN 9781784936365 £5.99 This is a fascinating book. It covers a wide range of places from across the globe. Entries are divided into Awesome Natural Wonders and Awesome Human Creations, and each is given an awesomeness rating. There are attractive, detailed photographs and interesting information in easily digestible formats. The Locust Storms page…
Zim Zam Zoom Zappy Poems to Read Out Loud, James Carter, illustrated by Nicola Colton
Otter-Barry ISBN 9781910959541 £11.99 There are fewer writers more sensitive to ‘hooking’ young children into poetry than James Carter. His vast experience of visiting and working with youngsters in schools enables him to pitch his writing for his audience perfectly. This collection of some old and new verse is ideal for reading out loud, for…
Would You Rather Dine with a Dung Beetle or Lunch with a Maggot? Camilla de la Bédoyère, illustrated by Mel Howells
QED Publishing ISBN 9781784931971 £5.99 What a winning formula this is. Children love the ‘Would you rather…’ format and the more ludicrous or gross the juxtaposition in the question the better! De la Bédoyère has capitalised on this very successfully in a series of non-fiction books about animals and in this case, insects, beetles and…
Vet (Here to help), James Nixon
Franklin Watts ISBN 9781445140179 £11.99 As a teacher, I have rarely met a child who does not relish the idea of spending time with animals large and small and perhaps even dreaming of becoming a vet. This beautifully presented hard-back book leads us through a day in the life of Nafisa, a busy vet. With…
That’s NOT how you do it! Ariane Hofmann-Maniyar
Child’s Play ISBN 9781846439285 £5.99 This wonderful, simple story tells us much about understanding and respecting other people and celebrating our differences. Told in large, basic text with bright, full-page illustrations, the story concerns Lucy, a cat who knows how to do everything the right way. However, when Toshi, a panda arrives she tells him…
The Shrew that Flew (A Harry & Lil Story), Julia Copus, illustrated by Eunyoung Seo
Faber & Faber ISBN 9780571325306 £6.99 In this third adventure Harry, Lil and the other animals of Piggyback Wood are preparing for Badger’s birthday party. All party guests have been asked to arrive ‘with a hat on their head’ – but poor Lil loses hers in a gust of wind and has to retrieve it…
Shadow Warriors – to fail is to die, Chris Bradford, illustrated by David Wyatt
Conkers (Barrington Stoke) ISBN 9781781125519 £5.99 This attractive book, illustrated with evocative and generously sized black and white drawings with just enough Manga to draw in the pre-teen reader, opens in Japan in 1580. It is told in the present tense from the point of view of Taka, a trainee ninja, and follows his training…
The Secret Seven: Adventure on the Way Home, Enid Blyton, illustrated by Tony Ross
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444927641 £5.99 One in a series of Enid Blyton’s short stories about The Secret Seven, Adventure on the Way Home would be perfect for the younger or less-confident reader from key stage 1 onwards. At 78 pages and with chapters, it feels like a ‘proper book,’ whilst the numerous full-page illustrations…
The Secret Railway: Full Steam Ahead for a Magical Adventure! Wendy Meddour, illustrated by Sam Usher
Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192745545 £5.99 What fun! When does the next one come out? This book took me back to my own childhood; back to Narnia, His Dark Materials and Enid Blyton. Weave together a combination of magical lands, creative, mystical characters and a strong sibling bond and you get The Secret Railway. Quirky…
A Rainbow in My Pocket, Ali Seidabadi, translated by Azita Rassi, illustrated by Hoda Haddadi
Tiny Owl Books ISBN 9781910328125 £12.99 This is a wonderful book which is an elegant introduction to the beauty of poetic verse in literature. The author is both writer and poet for children and this is evident from the lyrical prose and the abstract but encompassing nature of the piece. On reading this book I…
The Orange House, Nahid Kazemi
Tiny Owl Books ISBN9781910328118 £12.99 This is a delightful picture book from newly emerging children’s publishers Tiny Owl Books. Tiny Owl is a purveyor of Global Children’s Literature, and The Orange House is translated from its original Persian publication by illustrator and author Nahid Kazemi. Kazemi used to make her books as a child with…
My Senses (Our Special World), Liz Lennon
Franklin Watts ISBN 9781445148908 £10.99 This series in Book Band level 6 aims to help children find out about diversity in the world around them and promote speaking and listening skills. Beautifully presented, with vibrant photographs, this edition describes simply each of our five senses and poses questions about how we use them. Children will…
Medusa’s Curse (Myth Raiders), A.J. Hunter
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers ISBN 9780349124360 £5.99 A start of a new series of tales that uncover historical mysteries and add a traditional story. This book will be a fantastic addition to the bookshelf for budding young readers. There is often a gap for those children who are intellectually ready for stories but…
Love You Hoo, Rachel Bright
Orchard books ISBN 9781408331705 £6.99 Celebrating the unconditional love of a parent for their offspring, this glossy paperback tells of the joyful relationship between mother owl and her newly–hatched owlet. With rhyming couplets and large, fun and amusing illustrations on a variety of vivid backgrounds, the story affirms the truth that life is more wonderful…
Journey Through Nature, John Haslam and Steve Parker
QED Publishing ISBN 978784934491 £9.99 This beautifully presented, interesting and informative book takes the reader on a safari through all the major animal habitats of the world, from the Poles to the deserts and rainforests to under the sea and ground. Each double page contains simple, well-laid out text with a short paragraph identifying the…
Hello, Mr Moon, Laura Gutierrez, illustrated by Laura Watkins
QED Publishing ISBN 9781784935528 £9.99 Full of starry, indigo skies and a shimmering silver moon, this most beautifully illustrated hardback picture book helps to teach younger children about the presence and importance of the moon. Told in rhyming verse, the nocturnal creatures lead us through the lunar phases and we learn their correct terminology such…
Happy Eid al-Fitr, the Sweet Festival, Joyce Bentley
Wayland books ISBN 9780750295673 £11.99 This beautifully designed little book perfectly captures the colour, content, concept and faith intertwined with the festival of Eid. Delightfully illustrated, the straightforward text makes it an ideal book to have in the library and on the teacher’s desk at the junior level. I hope the publisher deals with other…
The Great Flytrap Disaster (Pocket Pirates 3), Chris Mould
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444923704 £5.99 Pocket Pirates is a fun tale of a miniature band of pirates doing their best to survive in a world of human proportions. Like the much loved ‘The Borrowers’ but for a new audience and with a contemporary pirate twist, the madcap adventures of Captain Crabsticks and his crew…
The Great Ape Escape, Fiona Manlove, illustrated by Pascal Biet
Ragged Bears ISBN 9781857144659 £6.99 A fun, yet worrying part of a visit to a safari park is driving through the monkey car enclosure and watching the monkeys descend and begin to dismantle windscreen wipers and aerials. Led by Banana Bill, the smart troop of monkeys have acquired a huge number of spare car parts,…
Emily Davison (Fact Cat), Izzi Howell
Wayland Books ISBN 9780750297707 £11.99 Emily Davison brings to life the world of the suffragettes and the fight of some women to get the vote. It is, in effect, a brief biography of Emily, presented in an engaging way. Language is accessible, there are big pictures on each page, and often questions that need researching…
Dog on Wheels, written and illustrated by Gillian McClure
Troika Books ISBN 9781909991361 £6.99 A simple KS1 picture book telling the story of two dog friends, Dubbin and Todd, one of whom happens to go skateboarding rather than just for a walk. Todd struggles to keep up with his freewheeling friend especially as he is lugging around a bone. The story takes a sinister…
Claude: Going for Gold, Alex T. Smith
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444919622 £5.99 Claude is a small, chubby dog who wears a red sweater and matching beret and can’t wait to take part in a Very Exciting Sports Competition! After waking up with ants in his pants, Claude and his dear friend Sir Bobblysock head out for an exciting adventure. After a…
What’s the big idea? Why am I angry? Oscar Brenifier, illustrated by Jacques Després
Franklin Watts ISBN 9781445147246 £11.99 Based on the children’s television programmes, this series introduces young children to philosophy by exploring different emotions and ideas through a variety of amusing and familiar situations. Its aims are to promote and develop thinking skills and encourage children to make up their own minds. The subject of anger and…
Tiger in a Tutu, Fabi Santiago
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408336885 £11.99 This hardback book follows the adventures of Max the tiger in Paris, as he dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. The drawings are ‘childlike’ in quality and are evocative of the screen-printing style that Fabi likes using in her work. The colours are bold and vibrant and young children will…
There’s a Tiger in the Garden, written and illustrated by Lizzy Stewart
Frances Lincoln ISBN 9781847808066 £11.99 The rich, Rousseau-like cover invites us in to discover why – or if – there actually is a tiger in the garden at Nora’s Grandma’s house. Despite being surrounded by toys, Nora is bored, and when Grandma suggests she plays in the garden Nora doesn’t fall for the story that…
Super Stan, Matt Robertson
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408337288 £11.99 Jack finds life hard. His little brother, Super Stan, is amazing and admired by everyone. No one notices Jack. Whatever Jack does, Super Stan does something better that eclipses Jack’s achievement. Jack is tired of always being second best. Jack’s birthday treat is a trip to the zoo. He begs…
Sorting and Sets – My First Maths, Jackie Walter
Franklin Watts ISBN 9781445149288 £9.99 One of a series about early maths, this book is very clearly presented, in both language and illustrations. Each double-page spread deals with one aspect of the subject, and has bright photographic illustrations accompanying the direct, easily understood text. It is easy to imagine sharing the book with young children,…
Rabbit & Bear: Rabbit’s Bad Habits, Julian Gough & Jim Field
Hodder Children’s Books (www.hodderchildrens.co.uk) ISBN 9781444929317 £9.99 I absolutely loved this book – it is a laugh-out-loud story from page one and the writing and illustration are so wonderfully complimentary that the characters leap to life from the very beginning. It should become a children’s classic and is already much lauded by others well known…
Polly and the Puffin, The Stormy Day, Jenny Colgan
Little, Brown Books for Younger Readers ISBN 9780349131924 £5.99 Polly and the Puffin is Jenny Colgan’s first children’s book, published alongside Summer at Little Beach Street Bakery which first introduced adult readers to the main characters of Polly and Neil the Puffin. Polly is our young protagonist and her father is a local fisherman at…
The Lion Inside, Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field
Orchard Books SBN 9781408331606 £6.99 This is a fantastic book from the creator of the Bright Side lifestyle brand, Rachel Bright, and the winner of the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, Jim Field. Full of bright, bold and vibrant illustrations, the story follows the journey of a timid and quiet mouse as he tries to make…
The Koala Who Could, Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408331644 £6.99 Kevin the Koala isn’t too sure just what he is frightened of. Whatever it is though, the security of staying put at the top of the tree he is used to, keeps his fears at bay. Shy and insecure children will identify with this gentle creature, who doesn’t want anything…
Knock Knock Dinosaur, Caryl Hart, illustrated by Nick East
Hodder Children’s books ISBN 9781444928471 £12.99 There seems to be no end to the popularity of dinosaurs, and here they appear in rhyming text as a counting aid. When the boy in the story answers the door to find a delivery, he is confronted with a life-size T-Rex. Then there are two Triceratops. And three…
The Jackal Who Thought he was a Peacock, Fereshteh Sarlak (based on a fable by Rumi), translated by Azita Rassi, illustrated by Firoozeh Golmohammadi
Tiny Owl ISBN 9781910328132 £12.99 It’s all very well to admire beautiful creatures, but when that admiration turns to envy and jealousy things can begin to go very wrong. So it was with Jackal who was so envious of the beautiful colours of the peacocks he visited every day that he wished to become one;…
I Will Not wear Pink, Joyce Dunbar, illustrated by Polly Dunbar
Otter-Barry books ISBN 9781910959527 £11.99 What a coup for this newly established publishing house – a new book from this winning and vastly experienced mother/daughter team. It bears all their hallmarks: exuberant, playful language, humour, endearing illustrations and it is a joy to read aloud. Plunkett the Pig is thrilled to receive Priscilla’s party invitation,…
It Starts with a Seed, Laura Knowles, Illustrated by Jennie Webber
words and pictures ISBN 9781910277171 £12.99 Following a sycamore seed as it transforms from a seedling to a sapling, then a large tree, we embark on a journey through the seasons and the years. As we watch the tree grow, its branches and roots fill the pages and it is joined by woodland creatures such…
I’ll Wait, Mr. Panda, written and illustrated by Steve Antony
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444916669 £11,99 This book shows the tangible rewards of patience being a virtue. With few words on the plain background of each double page spread, boldly drawn characters tell the story of Mr. Panda, who is clearly cooking something. A series of animals ask what it is but when Mr Panda…
Everybunny Dance, Ellie Sandall
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444919868 £11.99 Without wishing to spoil the plot, this charming picture book introduces a gathering of rabbits who just love to dance … and play… and sing and, well, just perform in general while no one is watching. As in all good stories, though, a problem arises and in this case…
Dogs and Puppies (Animals and their Babies), Annabelle Lynch
Franklin Watts ISBN 9781445148359 £11.99 Who does not enjoy adorable photographs of cute puppies? One of a series of 4, this Book Band level 4 hardback, is a delightful read. Large, bold text simply explains the growth process of puppies of varying breeds, from helpless balls of fluff and fur to maturity with headings such…
Degas and the Little Dancer, written & illustrated by Laurence Anholt
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781847808141 £6.99 Laurence Anholt’s Artists series of eight celebrates famous artists through true stories about the real children who knew them. The little dancer is Marie van Goethen who dreams of becoming the most famous ballerina in the world. Degas visited her ballet school in Paris where he drew the…
Are You Sitting Comfortably? Leigh Hodgkinson
Bloomsbury ISBN 9781408864838 £6.99 This wonderfully nostalgic title harks back to the years of Listen with Mother on the BBC and is so familiar, it features in the Oxford Book of Quotations. Here, Leigh Hodgkinson manages to give it a timeless feel. A small person is hunting for the perfect place to sit and read a book (hurrah!),…
Spymaster 3 and 4: Deadly Storm and Fatal Voyage, Jan Burchett and Sara Vogler
Orion Children’s Books ISBN 9781444010749 £7.99 Not one but two terrific stories in the Spymaster series – in Deadly Storm the action takes place whilst Henry VIII is travelling and is cut off by a flooded river and a destroyed bridge. Taking cover in an isolated castle, with only a few retainers, the King is in deadly…
What is Gender? How Does It Define Us? And other big questions, Juno Dawson
Wayland ISBN 978526300003 £13.99 This book is part of the important ‘And other big questions’ series that offers balanced considerations on big issues and hot topics. Readers are encouraged to think for themselves about the concept of gender and the impact it can have on their life. This book discusses topics including sex, intersex, gender…
Ultimate Slime, Alyssa Jagan
Quarry (Quarto books) ISBN 9781631594250 £10.99 This is the first book that I have seen which is dedicated to the world of ‘Slime’ and I had not realized that it is such a world-wide phenomenon. The author is a young, (currently 16 years), social media star with a series of videos on Instagram and in…
The Song from Somewhere Else, A.F. Harrold, illustrated by Levi Pinfold
Bloomsbury ISBN 9781408 884751 £7.99 The excerpt from a Guardian review on the front cover of this book states it is ‘Extraordinary… as moving, strange and profound as Skellig’. And, I couldn’t have put it better myself! This is a truly haunting and original story; it is exquisitely written. Both the dialogue in the text and the narrative…
See you in the Cosmos, Jack Cheng
Penguin Random House ISBN 9780141357058 £6.99 I found this book rather a trial to engage with initially. Its clipped prose and unconventional presentation of dialogue was, I felt, rather clunky and uninviting. However, for purposes of this review I ‘stuck with it’ and found myself ultimately drawn into the plight of Alex, his Golden Ipod…
The Secret Diary of John Drawbridge – Medieval Knight in Training, Philip Ardagh
Nosy Crow Published in conjunction with the National Trust ISBN 9780857639011 £6.99 John Drawbridge is a very young page in a large Medieval Castle, and is learning to become a knight. As often happened at the time, young boys were sent to rich and influential patrons to be trained for their future role in society.…
The School of Music, Meurig Brown and Rachel Brown, illustrated by Daniel Frost
Wide Eyed Editions ISBN 9781847808608 £14.99 Music in some form or other pervades our lives, yet for many who neither sing nor play an instrument, it remains a subject they feel they know little about. How fortunate, therefore, that 7-12 year olds can now access this excitingly ambitious introduction to the subject in a creative…
Running on the Roof of the World, Jess Butterworth
Orion Children’s Books ISBN 9781510102088 £6.99 The intriguing title and unusual packaging of this novel invites the writer into an exciting adventure that tells the story of Tash and her friend Sam’s escape from religious and political persecution in Tibet. The novel’s format of deceptively simple text and short chapters makes it an ideal class…
My Name is Victoria, Lucy Worsley
Bloomsbury ISBN 9781408882016 £6.99 This is Lucy Worsley’s second novel for children, and is based around the life of Queen Victoria as a child, growing up in Kensington Palace, before she is certain she will inherit the throne following the deaths of George IV and William. All the action is based on real people, such…
The Incredible Billy Wild by Joanna Nadin
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers ISBN 9781510201255 £6.99 A sweetly, funny story about a boy and his dog told with great warmth, humour and empathy. It’s a typical tale of the underdog overcoming adversity, in this case the main character, Billy and his real live dog, Dog. This story will appeal to children who…
I Killed Father Christmas, Anthony Mc Gowan, illustrated by Chris Riddell
Barrington Stoke Little Gems ISBN 9781781127100 £6.99 A poignant beginning told through the eyes of Jo-Jo, but probably a scene that many children experience in the run up to Christmas day. Jo-Jo hears his Mum and Dad having a massive argument. He tries to block out the row burying his head in his pillow but…
The Girl with the Lost Smile, Miranda Hart, illustrated by Kate Hindley
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444941364 £12.99 I found this book rather a struggle to engage with initially. The somewhat simplistic, and at times clumsy, language jarred as I read and I found the consistent emboldening of selected words and phrases throughout the text rather distracting. It tells the tale of Chloe, who on her eleventh…
The Ghost, Sarah Rubin
Chicken House ISBN 9781910002872 £6.99 The Ghost Light is Rubin’s second book featuring her twelve year old super sleuth, Alice Jones. Alice is the modern day antidote to generations of boy heroes in children’s literature (I acknowledge the exceptions but have no space to go into them here) – female, smart, analytical and funny with a…
The Ethan I Was Before, Ali Standish
Orchard ISBN 978-1408342923 £6.99 Ethan is dealing with grief and guilt when we first meet him. His life is full of hurt and pain and the cause of this is revealed piece by piece throughout the book. Though the book is about him coming to terms with what he did and the consequences of the…
Emily Sparkes and the Backstage Blunder, Ruth Fitzgerald
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers ISBN 9780349001883 £6.99 This is the fourth in a series of books by this clever and witty author. The clear charm of the previous three books is continued. This tale really will be captivating to young readers in a world that is at the same time familiar to them…
The Dollmaker of Krakow, R. M. Romero
Walker Books ISBN 9781406375633 £6.99 There is a lot going on in this debut novel by R M Romero. The story parallels the rat invasion of the Land of the Dolls with the German invasion of Poland, with dire consequences for both. The dollmaker of the title, along with Karolina the talking living doll, is…
Discover the Aztec Empire, Isabel and Imogen Greenberg
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781847809506 £8.99 A companion book to Discover the Ancient Egyptians, and Discover the Roman Empire, this book explores the Aztec Empire and its demise, brought about largely by Cortes and the Spanish invaders. Presented in exactly the same way as the other books, this volume looks at Aztec history, gods, heroes, life, empire…
Defenders – Pitch Invasion, Tom Palmer, illustrated by David Shephard
Barrington Stoke ISBN 9781781127315 £6.99 Friends Seth and Nadiya, the defenders of the title, work together to help people of the past. Seth has inherited from his father the dubious ability to see ghosts or shades of long-dead people, many of whom are in trouble of some sort. With Nadiya’s interest in history, the pair…
The Children of Willesden Lane, Mona Golabek and Lee Cohen
Franklin Watts ISBN 9781445161303 £7.99 This true story begins in Vienna in 1938. Lisa finds out about anti-Semitism when her piano tutor tells her he cannot teach her any more. Fast forward to 1939 and Lisa’s family manage to get one place on a Kindertransport; but they have three daughters. Who to choose? How do…
Cheetah Rescue, Jess French
Orion Children’s Books ISBN 9781444014839 £6.99 This book tells the true story of cubs Hailu and Kakaway, who were taken away from their mother by illegal wildlife traders in Ethiopia, who tried to smuggle them out of Africa so they could become pets in captivity in the Middle East. The cubs were hidden in boxes…
A is for Art, by Paul Thurlby
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444933673 £14.99 This is an unusual alphabet book created in association with the National Gallery. Paul Thurby introduces the reader to some famous artworks such as Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire and Constable’s The Haywain and some lesser known paintings like Jan Gossaert’s A Young Princess and Joachim Beuckelaer’s The Four Elements: Earth. The paragraphs beside the paintings are…
Worry Angels, Sita Brahmachari, illustrated by Jane Ray
Barrington Stoke ISBN 9781781126950 £5.99 Another powerful, engaging short novel from this brilliant, dyslexia-friendly publishing house. Anxiety is the central theme, but experienced by children and adults alike. Amy-May has a lot on her plate. She has witnessed her parents separating and has had to move from their seaside cottage where she was home-schooled by…
Women in Sport Fifty Fearless Athletes Who Played to Win, Rachel Ignotofsky
Wren and Rook ISBN 9781526360922 £12.99 An inspirational celebration of women who pushed themselves to the limit, achieved their dreams and created opportunities for future generations. Some are well-known, such as Serena Williams, Tanni Grey-Thompson and Nicola Adams but some are lesser known like Madge Syers, Babe Didrikson Zaharias and Mia Hamm. More than 40…
The Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum, adapted by Michel Laporte, illustrated by Olivier Latyk
Quarto ISBN 9781810277386 £12.99 This retelling of the famous story of Dorothy and her unplanned trip to the Land of Oz has been produced quite sumptuously, with several die-cut paper silhouettes scattered throughout to add to the enjoyment of the tale. To help the young reader, the book is arranged in short chapters and written…
When I Coloured in the World, Ahmadreza Ahmadi, Illustrated by Ehsan Abdollahi
Tiny Owl (tinyowl.co.uk) ISBN 9781910328224 £7.99 This is another simple and beautiful story where a child uses crayons to colour and change the world. Each page the child uses a colour to turn something negative in the world into something positive: yellow turns despair into hope; silver turns drought into rain; purple turns crying into…
What’s Where on Earth Atlas – The World As You Have Never Seen It Before
Dorling Kindersley ISBN 9780241228371 £12.99 This is a stunning book that brings the world to life. There are specially commissioned 3-D maps and artworks. The books has sections on Early Earth, North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia and Oceania, Polar regions, The oceans and a Reference section with a Glossary, Index. The reader…
The Ways of the Wolf, Smriti Prasadam-Halls, illustrated by Jonathan Woodward
Wren and Rook ISBN 9781526360304 £12.99 Wolves are evocative creatures, shrouded in mystery. This superb non-fiction book lifts the veil off these intriguing animals. Smriti Prasadam-Halls tells us about pack life, how wolves communicate and adapt to their environment, and the wolf family. We are shown the lands of the wolf, and how they kill…
Trains – Legendary Journeys, Philip Steele
QED ISBN 978174938659 £16.99 This volume is one of a small series published originally in the USA. Space has also been recently released in the UK. There are no details of updates since the original publication in 2010, but the under ‘Quest for Speed’ there is a record from 2015, so obviously some revision has taken place.…
Titania and Oberon: A fairy tale, Jo Manton, illustrated by Phyllis Bray
Pavilion ISBN 9781843653295 £12.99 This is a reissue of a beautiful book first published in 1945 with Phyllis Bray’s original artwork. Jo Manton’s retelling of this excerpt from A Midsummer Night’s Dream is a clever mix of clear narrative, paraphrasing of the original text using much of the same language and direct quotation. It really works as…
Three Cheers for Women, Marcia Williams
Walker Books ISBN 9781406374865 £12.99 This is a most appealing book in Marcia Williams’ comic-strip style. She celebrates a range of women throughout history from around the world. There are double page spreads on Cleopatra, Boudicca, Joan of Arc, Elizabeth I, Mary Wollstonecraft, Jane Austen, Florence Nightingale, Marie Curie, Eleanor Roosevelt, Amelia Earhart, Frida Kahlo,…
Spot the Mistake: Lands of Long Ago, Amanda Wood and Mike Jolley, illustrated by Frances Castle
Wide Eyed Editions ISBN 9781847809636 £12.99 What a great idea, and what a lovely book. Take 10 ancient societies and draw a big double page spread illustrating the time/period/way of life. Insert 20 anomalies, or inappropriate historical items on each spread. Ask the children to find all the mistakes [they can always check the correct…
Run, Elephant, Run: An Indonesian Rainforest Adventure, Patricia MacCarthy
Otter Barry Books ISBN 9781910959114 £12.99 Wow! This book is really a sumptuous feast for the eyes and ears. At first I thought it was the vibrant illustrations, the stunning colours, the attention to detail and fascinating use of sunlight to highlight the pages which was the true magic of the book. But actually, the…
Rocketful of Space, John Foster, illustrated by Korky Paul
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 971847804860 £12.99 This latest collaboration between experienced poet and illustrator is a supersonic romp through creative wordplay about space. Twenty-six poems from writers familiar and not introduce us to Spaceman McTavity, the mind-boggling menu from Greasy Pete’s Space Take-Away, the worst monsters in the Universe such as the dreaded Drob…
Rabbit and Bear: The Pest in the Nest, Julian Gough, illustrated by Jim Field
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444934267 £9.99 This second outing for the lovable duo Rabbit and Bear is a testament to the success of their creation. In this adventure, Rabbit wakes to the start of spring in a decidedly grumpy mood. Every sound grates and irritates because, ‘peace and quiet,’ shouts Rabbit, ‘that’s all I want.’ …
Play in a Box, The National Theatre, illustrated by Hui Skipp
Walker Books ISBN 9781406373622 £12.99 Huge congratulations to the National Theatre for this imaginative product. A perfect antidote to endless screen-watching and finger-clicking, the robust box contains an interesting range of items designed to encourage participants to create and perform their own plays. A set of 8 illustrated cards helps to choose the perfect setting…
Pirates Magnified, David Long, illustrated by Harry Bloom
Quarto Kids ISBN 9781786030276 £14.99 There are echoes of Where’s Wally? and (for those of you old enough to remember) Richard Scarry’s busy books in this exploration of pirates and their world. Gold highlights on the cover reflect the booty the pirates were seeking, just as the reader is seeking out hidden items on each double-page spread.…
The Mystery of Me, Karen McCombie, illustrated by Cathy Brett
Barrington Stoke ISBN 9781781127209 £5.99 In this easier read from Barrington Stoke, Karen McCombie has succeeded in conveying the confusion and stress Ketty suffers, from the amnesia she has following a crash in which she sustained a head injury. She was technically dead for two minutes and thirty-nine seconds, so her recovery has been slow…
Message from the Moon and other poems, Hilda Offen
Troika Books ISBN 97819090001430 £6.99 Following on from the success of Blue Balloons and Rabbit Ears this is another poetry collection for children of all ages. Mostly short poems, all illustrated by the author, covering a broad range of topics from Feathers and Fur to Dream-time, some are funny, some are silly and all show…
Ludwig the Sea Dog, Henning Lohlein
Bonnier Books/Templar Publishing ISBN 9781783708000 £12.99 Ludwig the Sea Dog takes you on an adventure through different stories, meeting some familiar characters and seeing how Ludwig overcomes a barrier to save a friend. The 3D glasses that come with this book ensure that any child is engaged throughout although can make you feel a little dizzy…
Laughing Lungs and the respiratory system, Charlie Ogden, illustrated by Danielle Jones
BookLife ISBN 9781786371720 £12.99 This book is another part of a series called ‘Journey through the human body’ and is published by an international educational publisher called BookLife, based in the UK. Each of the titles focuses on a specific system within the body and explains its purpose and function in straightforward language. This book…
How to be a Tiger, George Szirtes, iIllustrated by Tim Archibold
Otter-Barry ISBN 9781910959206 £6.99 How to be a Tiger is a fabulous collection of light hearted, entertaining poems by the multi-award-winning poet, George Szirtes. Its simplicity and directness will appeal to all readers with themes ranging from the weather to animals. The title poem, with its rhyming style actually made us roar! There is certainly something…
Frankie’s Magic Football Mammoth Mayhem, Frank Lampard
Little, Brown Books For Young Readers ISBN 9781510201125 £5.99 My class of 7 and 8 year olds have recently introduced me to Frank Lampard’s series of Frankie’s Magic Football books. In Mammoth Mayhem, Charlie, his pesky older brother, his friends and their dads are off to a campsite for some quality time with a sleepover to…
Evie’s Magic Bracelet The Silver Unicorn, Jessica Ennis-Hill in collaboration with Elen Caldecott, iIllustrated by Erica-Jane Waters
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444934397 £5.99 This is the first in a new series of seven books written by the famous sports star in collaboration with an established children’s author. Although it deals with universal themes relevant to all children: the worries of starting a new school, concerns about being seen to be different and…
Discovery Atlas Travel the Whole World In One Book, Anita Ganeri, illustrated by Sara Lynn Cramb
QED ISBN 9781784937805 £9.99 This is an attractive atlas pitched appropriately for younger KS2 children who are taken on a journey round the world. The book opens with a description of our world, an explanation of the atlas, and an explanation of biomes. Then there are maps of each continent showing natural features of the…
Discover Art with Katie, James Mayhew
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408349823 £4.99 This is a lovely, interactive book which allows children to become familiar with some of the most famous artists and their work in an engaging way. With puzzles and activities on each page, as well as a collection of stickers to add, children will be motivated to read on to…
Bigfoot, Tobin & Me, Melissa Savage, illustrated by Daron Savage
Chicken House Books ISBN 9781911077183 £6.99 I loved this book. It tells the tale of orphan Lemonade Witt who is sent to live with her out of time grandfather in a remote part of the US where on arrival she meets a boy who genuinely not only believes in but searches for Bigfoot… We are…
Beautiful Brain, Charlie Ogden, illustrated and designed by Danielle Jones
BookLife ISBN 9781786371713 £12.99 This book is part of a series called ‘Journey through the human body’ and is published by an international educational publisher called BookLife, based in the UK. Each of the titles focuses on a specific system within the body and explains its purpose and function in fairly straightforward language. The text…
50 Wacky Things Humans Do Weird & amazing facts about the human body! Walter Foster Jr. Creative Team, illustrated by Lisa Perrett
Quarto ISBN 9781633223967 £9.99 This fascinating book is fun to read and provides weird facts about the human body. Each topic has a double page. The left side is a colourful, bold, humorous image and the right side has the text in two short paragraphs. Did you know that each foot can produce a cup…
Wilfred and Olbert’s Totally Wild Chase, Lomp
Tiger Press ISBN 9781848696792 £12.99 Wilfred and Olbert’s Totally Wild Chase is exactly what it says it will be. Two friends race to find a rare butterfly in order to win the Nature Discover Prize but learn a valuable lesson along the way. The first half of the book shows the two friends competing with each…
When I Coloured in the World, Ahmadreza Ahmadi, illustrated by Ehsan Abdollahi
Tiny Owl ISBN 9781910328224 £7.99 This is another simple and beautiful story where a child uses crayons to colour and change the world. Each page the child uses a colour to turn something negative in the world into something positive: yellow turns despair into hope; silver turns drought into rain; purple turns crying into laughter;…
Tibs, The Post Office Cat, Joyce Dunbar, illustrated by Claire Fletcher
words and pictures ISBN 9781910277201 £11.99 It is the 1950s and there are problems in the Post Office. There are holes in mail sacks, letters have been ripped to pieces and stamps have been licked through to the glue. Mice are to blame so the postmaster employs Tibs, son of Toodle, son of Tiddles, son…
Tiana the Toy Fairy: The Land of Sweets, Daisy Meadows
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408350843 £4.99 Daisy Meadows is the pseudonym for the four authors of the very successful Rainbow Magic book series. Designed for early readers just beginning their first chapter books, they have hit upon a very clever formula. Fairies and magic have a universal appeal for little girls, but in these tales they feature alongside Rachel and…
That’s Not a Daffodil! Elizabeth Honey
Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781743368800 £6.99 Kind Mr Yilmaz from next door gives Tom a daffodil. But it looks nothing like a daffodil as it is in bulb form, and it’s hard for Tom to believe it could ever become a flower. Tom thinks of more and more imaginative ways of describing the plant as…
Surprise! Surprise! Nick Daly
Otter-Barry books ISBN 9781910959992 £11.99 Mr and Mrs Tati are happily married, but Mrs Tati is sad because she would like a baby. Mr Tati visits a Baby Shop and is disappointed to find he cannot purchase a baby. Then he sees a man selling baby pigs and buys one for his wife. Mrs Tati is…
The Story of the Dancing Frog, Quentin Blake
Barrington Stoke ISBN 978178125915 £6.99 This book is tremendous fun and draws in the reader from the very start with its eye-catching yellow gatefold cover and shiny title. In Blake’s imitable style the tale is told of George, an extraordinary frog who is noticed dancing on a lily pad by a by now long dead…
Snow Boy and the Last Tree Standing, Hiawyn Oram, illustrated by Birgitta Sif
Walker Books ISBN 9781406358254 £11.99 The first page of this story left me feeling like there was a lot of information that I had missed, and I was left questioning if I were reading a sequel that would only make sense if I had read what had come before it. A large number of characters…
The Snowbear, Sean Taylor, illustrated by Claire Alexander
Words and Pictures ISBN 9781910277393 £11.99 The Snowbear is a simple tale of children’s imagination… and Snow. In much the same way as Max’s room comes alive in Where the Wild Things Are, so too does the Snowbear. The morning after the snow has fallen blanketing the world in white and when Iggy and Martina have finished…
Princess Smartypants and the Fairy Geek Mothers, Babette Cole
Hodder ISBN 9781444931600 £5.99 How poignant it has been to read this last novel by the late, wonderfully irreverent, Babette Cole. Once again, her feisty, non-stereotypical Princess Smartypants, aided by her stalwart friends are required to solve a problem, this time in the neighbouring Fairy Land. She learns from her own fairy godmother that recently,…
The Powerpuff Girls: Brain Freeze, Cartoon Network
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408347072 £4.99 This is the first in a series of books about characters from a popular TV cartoon show. The Powerpuff Girls, after an error in their production by their father the Professor, have superpowers and use them to fight baddies. In this tale, each is out for herself as they try to…
Polly and The Puffin – The Happy Christmas, Jenny Colgan, illustrated by Thomas Docherty
Little Brown Books for Young Readers (Hachette Children’s Group) ISBN 9781510200920 £7.99 The fourth story featuring Polly and her best friend, Neil the Puffin, is set in the run up to Christmas Day. Polly is fed up waiting for Christmas and for Neil’s egg to hatch and is even more distressed when she visits Father…
Once Upon a Jungle, Laura Knowles, illustrated by James Boast
Words and Pictures ISBN 9781784937799 Hardback £12.99 Once upon a Jungle is an eye catching, beautifully illustrated introduction to the eco system and food chain of the jungle. Set against a black background the cover and each page feature jewel bright, colour illustrations of jungle creatures and plants. Whilst some leap from each page there are…
Mr Darcy and Mr Darcy the Dancing Duck, Alex Field, illustrated by Peter Carnavas
New Frontier Publishing ISBN 9781912076567 & 9781912076574 Both £11.99 This delightful new series of picture books tips a nod to Jane Austen’s original characters. In Mr Darcy we are introduced to the refined, if a little snobbish, handsome gentleman Duck of that name who lives on the edge of Pemberley Park – alone. When he receives an…
Merry Christmas Hugless Douglas, written and illustrated by David Melling
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444906844 Price £6.99 The eighth adventure featuring that lovable, huggable bear Hugless Douglas, this time it’s the night before Christmas and Douglas is full of festive cheer and enjoying the magic of snow covered countryside. Like the rest of us Douglas is enthralled by the snow. He makes and hugs a…
Last Stop On The Reindeer Express, Maudie Powell-Tuck, illustrated by Karl James Mountford
Little Tiger Press ISBN 9781848696938 £12.99 A charming and unique festive book which stands out from others with its clever die-cut cover and warm Christmassy illustrations featuring hidden flaps and doors and effective cut outs letting you peep through to scenes on previous and future pages. It tells the heartfelt tale of Mia, a young…
Labyrinth, Thèo Guignard
Wide Eyed Editions Quarto Publishing Group ISBN 9781847809988 £12.00 This is a fascinating book of mazes. 14 magical scenarios are presented. The spreads are dazzling and the reader is lured into a series of different worlds such as a magical mansion, a dragon’s lair, wild habitats and a futuristic city. The digital designs are stunning…
Happily Ever After – The Ugly Duckling, written and illustrated by Annie White
New Frontier Publishing ISBN 9780995 625518 £5.99 This engaging picture book is one in a series of classic fairy tales claiming in its blurb ‘a new twist on a classic fairy tale’. While I do not agree that what is presented is a new twist, the story is beautifully retold, supported by sympathy-inducing images of…
The Great Race: The Story of the Chinese Zodiac, written and illustrated by Christopher Corr
Francis Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781786030658 £11.99 For a number of years teaching Year 2, I have planned an enrichment week based upon the Chinese New Year and I have always struggled to find a text that tells the story in an engaging and inspiring way. This book has put an end to this problem.…
Grandad’s Secret Giant, David Litchfield
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781847808479 £11.99 The illustrations alone make this an enchanting book. The colours are deep and rich and the giant is cleverly hidden, encouraging young readers to try and spot him on each page. The story itself tells a tale of a loving grandparent-grandchild relationship who share a secret and find…
Glitter, Stella J Jones, illustrated by Judi Abbot
Little Tiger Press ISBN 9781848694323 £6.99 ‘With glitter on every page!’ states a sticker on the front of the book. What’s not to like? This fun picture book tells the tale of Gloria, a rhino who just loves glitter. She cannot get enough of glitter, it’s her ‘favourite colour’ and everywhere she goes she leaves…
First Day at Skeleton School, written and illustrated by Sam Lloyd
Bloomsbury ISBN 9781408868829 £6.99 The front cover gives us a clue to this picture book being mostly about the pictures. A large cast of weird and wonderful characters – pupils at the school – are lined up in front of their skeleton teacher, all of them looking ready to cause havoc. A double page spread…
Everybody Feels… Scared! Moira Butterfield, illustrated by Holly Sterling
QED ISBN 9781784938574 £6.99 The series includes Everybody Feels Sad!, Happy! and Angry! and is a paperback edition of the series that was first published in hardback in 2016. Children are introduced to feelings and then helped them manage their emotions. They also gain insight into how others might be feeling. The illustrations are attractive, with simple facial expressions.…
The Doughnut of Doom, Elys Dolan
Nosy Crow ISBN 9780857637475 £11.99 A giant pink doughnut is the disastrous result of Professor Nutcase’s experiment at the Lemon Labs. Panic ensues in Food Town when the doughnut escapes, and attempts to catch it by the emergency services fail, as the doughnut eats its way through their defences. Nancy McNutty, a trainee reporter in…
Bug Bear, Patricia Hegarty, illustrated by Carmen Saldana
Little Tiger ISBN 9781848694514 £10.99 This picture book is dedicated to all those who have ever had a bugbear of their own. So begins a delightful, literal interpretation of this lovely expression as a sleeping bear is troubled by a pesky – albeit very friendly – little bug who wants to make a home in…
Beyond The Fence, Maria Gulemetova
Child’s Play ISBN 9781846439308 £5.99 This powerful allegorical tale is not a feel-good book but is one that could lead to poignant discussion and philosophical ideas. The watercolour illustrations are in muted tones and the characters are small and seem to take second place to the landscape and rooms. The overall feeling is one of…
The Adventures of Egg Box Dragon, Richard Adams, illustrated by Alex T Smith
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444938401 £12.99 Oh how I love Egg Box dragon! It takes me right back to the childhood feelings of making something that you really can believe is real. For me it was a Weetabix lorry but a magic fire breathing dragon that comes alive and possesses the skills of being able…
Above and Below, Patricia Hegarty and Tanera Simons, illustrated by Hanako Clulow
360 degrees An imprint of Little Tiger books ISBN 9781848576070 £7.99 This is a book about different environments and the wildlife that inhabits them. It is a fascinating introduction to the world’s ecosystems. Hanako Clulow’s beautiful illustrations are colourful and appealing as many of the creatures have soft smiles and bright eyes. Left-hand pages identify…
What I think about when I think about…..running, Eleanor Levenson, illustrated by Katie O’Hagan
Troika Books ISBN 9781909991170 £6.99 What do our pets think about? In this companion to the author’s first book exploring fishy ponderings, Eleanor Levenson muses on a dog’s thoughts as he runs. There are no real surprises here: balls, cats and other dogs figure largely, but there are also one or two deeper thoughts and…
The Very Long Sleep, Polly Noakes
Child’s Play ISBN 9781786281289 £5.99 A quirky tale of the friendship between woodland animals, Bear, Fox, Chipmunk and Marmot. Having shared a fun filled summer together the friends think it would be great to live together all the time so they build themselves a home ‘tall enough, wide enough and snug enough’ for them all.…
Under The Same Sky, written and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
Caterpillar Books (the Little Tiger Group) ISBN 978184857868 £10.99 Under the Same Sky is a beautifully produced book ideal for sharing with Early Years pupils at story time or as the basis for some PSE or class assembly work. It’s message of world unity, shown through animal families and their natural habitats, is appealingly and successfully…
The Three Little Pugs and the Big Bad Cat, Becky Davies, illustrated by Caroline Attia
Little Tiger ISBN 9781848695757 £6.99 The Three Little Pugs and the Big Bad Cat is as it sounds based upon the classic old favourite The Three Little Pigs. The story is much the same except the cat must revert to modern methods of huffing and puffing by using a hairdryer and a fan to blow down…
Take Ted Instead, Cassandra Webb, illustrated by Amanda Francey
New Frontier Publishing ISBN 9781912 076611 £6.99 This fun book for early readers puts emphasis on the consistent repetition of the ‘e’ sound with each page seeing its young protagonist suggesting that something (with the ‘e’ sound) should go to bed instead of him. The foregrounding of each of these ‘e’ words is done through…
That is actually MY blanket, Baby, Angie Morgan and Kate Alizadeh
Little Tiger ISBN 9781848696891 £10.99 Large, colourful and enchanting illustrations accompany this story of baby Bella, who loves her blanket so much that it never leaves her side. As she grows, the blanket becomes grubby and paint splattered but still adored. When her new baby brother arrives, he decides that he prefers this old blanket…
Sun, Sam Usher
Templar ISBN 9781783707959 £6.99 This charming picture book has all of the characteristics of a quality early reader. It is a tale taking place on the hottest day of the year – ‘hotter than broccoli soup’ – based around the idea of a trip with Grandad. Its traditionally presented illustrations reinforce the narrative, with more…
Stomp School, Jeff Norton, illustrated by Leo Antolini
Caterpillar Books (the Little Tiger Group) ISBN 9781848575882 £6.99 Imagine the children of picture book monsters such as dragons, yetis and dinosaurs. Well, this is a story about what those children get up to at nursery, known as Stomp School. Rikki is a little kaiju (Japanese for strange beast), who is starting nursery for the…
Spider! Alison Steadman, illustrated by Mark Chambers
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444933499 £12.99 Alison Steadman has written her first book for children. She loves spiders and believes in the importance of teaching children to appreciate and take care of creatures. Mum, Dad, Rafael and the cat hate spiders. Everyone is agitated when a BIG HAIRY SCARY SPIDER appears in the living room.…
Singing in the Rain, illustrated by Tim Hopgood
Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192746368 £12.99 Singing in the Rain is not a story book to be read to a child; it is a picture book to be shared and experienced with a child. Complete with a CD, this book uses the lyrics of Doris Day’s popular version of Singing in the Rain and is beautifully illustrated…
Sharks and other Sea Creatures
Dorling Kindersley ISBN 9780241274385 £7.99 This book is an excellent introduction to the ocean. We explore the undersea world and learn out about sharks, coral fish, rainbow fish, jellyfish, starfish, puffer fish, octopuses and parrotfish. Information is clearly presented in an easily digestible format with questions, did you know boxes, photographs, captions and an octopus…
PAIRS! Underwater, Smriti Prasadam-Halls & Lorna Scobie
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781847808820 £6.99 This hardback book is recommended for ages 3+ but even my 2 year old daughter was able to take great delight from its bright and bold illustrations and easy to follow lift-the-flaps activities. Each page focuses on a particular aquatic animal to find hiding beneath the flaps, and…
Never Take a Bear to School, Mark Sperring, illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
Orchard Books ISBN 9781783707959 £6.99 This fun book is a salutary tale for young readers surrounding the perils of bringing a bear to school. The oversized teddy steps on feet, eats everyone’s lunch and growls in class. Its laugh-aloud comedy value will cause much discussion in the KS1 classroom supported by the enticing print-style pictures.…
My Daddy is a Silly Monkey, Dianne Hofmeyr, illustrated by Carol Thompson
Otter-Barry Books ISBN 9781910959138 £11.99 Another book celebrating all that is good, positive and loving about a father/child relationship. The narrative outlines the daily routine of a father and small daughter when Daddy is in charge. Whether he is a single dad and always in charge or just perhaps very competent in taking a fair…
Monster Baby, Sarah Dyer
Otter-Barry Books ISBN 9781910959084 £11.99 Monster Mum is having a baby Dad is pleased, but Little Monster and Scamp the dog are not sure about it. Mum needs to rest and eat healthy food, which means the family has to eat healthy food too. Mum cannot carry Little Monster in her arms as she used to.…
Hidden World: Forest, Libby Walden, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer-Coleman
360 degrees (the Little Tiger Group) ISBN 9781847157904 £9.99 This is a lift the flap introduction to the world of the woodland. The book offers a range of themed spreads, such as Habitats, Plants, Baby Animals and Insects. There are six flaps in each section that open to reveal attractive illustrations and facts. We learn…
Forest Life and Woodland Creatures Practical Facts
Dorling Kindersley ISBN 9780241273111 £7.99 A charming introduction to the woodland world. Topics covered include seeds, trees, bugs, animals, plants, insects, bunnies, the forest at night, the seasons and how creatures cope in winter. The book includes information, photographs and diagrams. The explanations are clear and well suited to the 3 to 5 age group. …
Fairytale Frankie and the Mermaid Escapade, Greg Gormley, illustrated by Steven Lenton
Orchard books ISBN 9781408333877 £12.99 Frankie, who loves fairytales, befriends a mermaid at the beach, but both are warned by a wizard that a huge sea monster is around. Fairytale characters, it seems believe what they hear, so the mermaid and wizard are joined by an equally frightened handsome price and a bearded pirate. Only…
Big Box Little Box, Caryl Hart, illustrated by Edward Underwood
Bloomsbury Children’s Books ISBN 9781408872769 £6.99 Everyone who owns or knows someone with a cat knows that cats love boxes. Any boxes. It doesn’t matter what shape or size or that they can only get their two front paws in, cats love boxes and this is in essence what this book portrays and who knew…
Be Brave Little Penguin, Giles Andreae, illustrated by Guy Parke-Rees
Orchard books ISBN 9781408338377 £12.99 Fans of Giraffes can’t Dance will also enjoy this delightful, large hardback which tells the story of Pip-Pip the penguin chick who needs the gentle encouragement of his mother to finally jump in the sea and swim. Simple rhyming text accompanies bright, fun illustrations of the characterful penguins in their icy environment.…
A Bear Hug at Bedtime, Jana Novotny Hunter, illustrated by Kay Widdowson
Child’s Play ISBN 9781846439889 £5.99 This delightful, bright and inviting picture book celebrates imaginative play. Gran, wearing an orange striped jumper, becomes a tiger chasing through the jungle garden after the little girl. Her toddler brother plays in the sandpit with her, clad in a green playsuit like a lizard. Best of all is bearded…
Balthazar the Great, Kirsten Sims
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781847809490 £11.99 Balthazar the Great is indeed that. A powerful Polar bear with a talent for playing the violin. This thought-provoking story explores themes of isolation, loneliness, belonging, ageism and, on another level, subtly questions the merits of keeping animals in captivity. Balthazar is past his prime and, one day,…
10 reasons to love an elephant, Catherine Barr, illustrated by Hanako Clulow
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781847809407 £9.99 This is one of a new series which gives children ten reasons why each animal is amazing, and five ways they can show their affection. The book has a cut out of an elephant on the front cover and a double page spread for each of the reasons.…
You Are Awesome, Matthew Syed, illustrated by Toby Triumph
Wren & Rook ISBN 9781526361158 £9.99 Somewhat put off by the triteness of the title, I was very pleasantly surprised by the depth and impact of this book. Ex-Olympic table-tennis player, writer and broadcaster Syed has managed to convey the simple fact that by perseverance, dedication and developing a ‘growth mindset’, all children can become…
What Manor of Murder? Christopher William Hill
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408332931 £ 6.99 Enid Blyton meets Agatha Christie in this retro crime mystery. Twins Eustace and Horatio leave their boarding school for Michaelmas to stay with their Aunt and Uncle at Bleakley Manor for a family gathering collecting Oliver, a ‘Poor Unfortunate’ (orphan) on the way. Eustace is hoping for a mystery…
Warrior Boy, Virginia Clay
Chicken House ISBN 9781911490371 £6.99 13-year-old Ben knows that he is half Kenyan; that his father who died before he was born was a Maasai warrior and that there is a whole part of his family he has never met in Africa. Ben also knows that he finds it hard to forge a place for…
Tomi: Tomi Reichental’s Holocaust Story retold by Eithne Massey
O’Brien Press ISBN 9781847179753 £8.99 Tomi is the story of Tomi Reichental, a young boy growing up in a small village in Slovakia in the late 1930s and 1940s, who gets caught up in the cataclysmic events of World War Two. Tomi is Jewish. He describes an ideal rural childhood, growing up in an extended family…
Speed Birds, Alan Snow
OUP ISBN 9780192758729 £14.99 An exceptional book. A young crow is impressed by the speed of a peregrine falcon, the world fastest bird. He is inspired to work with other crows and create the Speed Bird, a car that will enable him to go faster than any other bird. This is a fascinating story about…
Run Wild, Gill Lewis
Barrington Stoke ISBN 9781781128282 £6.99 Izzy and her friend Asha are determined to follow their hobby of skateboarding, but using the board park is almost impossible because of the two ‘Skull’ brothers, the local bullies. When they find a way into a local disused gasworks it seems to be the answer to their problems. Then…
Poetry for a Change: A National Poetry Day Anthology, compiled by the Forward Arts Foundation, illustrated by Chie Hosaka
Otter-Barry Books ISBN 9781910959503 £6.99 This slim volume, published in time for National Poetry Day (October 4th in 2018) contains new poems by well-known, award-winning poets, who have also chosen favourite poems to share. The whole is thus a rich seam which yields much material to support poetry work in the classroom, and not only…
The People Awards, Lily Murray, illustrated by Ana Alberto
Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781786030634 £12.99 A beautiful book that celebrates fifty historical figures who changed the world. Interesting prizes are awarded such as The Curiosity Award (Albert Einstein), The One Voice Award (Malala Yousafzai), The Express Yourself Award (David Bowie), Ernö Rubik. Some are famous, such as Vincent Lingiari, Sejong the Great and Katherine…
The Mystery of the Colour Thief, Ewa Jozefkowicz, illustrated by Sophie Gilmour
Zephyr ISBN 9781786698940 £10.99 This is a haunting and moving debut novel with a mystery that grips the reader to the end. Twelve-year-old Izzy is going through a dreadful time in her life: her mother lies in an induced coma after an accident for which Izzy blames herself; her father is finding it difficult to…
Music Legends: 40 Inspiring Icons, Hervé Guilleminot, illustrated by Jérôme Masi
Wide Eyed Editions ISBN 9781786031495 £9.99 An excellent introduction to 40 musicians. Each entry has an illustration, a biography and additional information that explains what makes the icon distinctive. There is also background information such as a description of the Hippy Movement, the protest songs of the 70s and punk rock, and rap and grime…
The Mediterranean, Armin Greder
Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781760634018 £12.99 For those who read The Island by the same author, this is another hard hitting, thought provoking wordless picture book with a powerful message. This one, I think, would suit not only upper end primary years but also early secondary pupils. In addition, the context and content have a…
Living on the Veg A kids’ guide to life without meat, Clive Gifford and Jacqueline Meldrum
Wayland ISBN 9781526306098 £12.99 This is a bright, inviting book for children who want to find out more about going veggie. It starts with a section on the history of vegetarianism, and mentions some vegetarians in history, including Leonardo da Vinci and Mary Shelley. Different vegetarian diets are explained, and the book explores some of…
Kidglovz, Julie Hunt, illustrated by Dale Newman
The Australian Coucil of Arts/Allen and Unwin ISBN 9781742378527 £9.99 A pleasingly hefty book of 270 pages, at first this appears to be a lengthy read, but when you open the pages and see it is a graphic novel, your perceptions change. This is a strange and other-worldly tale of young piano prodigy Kidglovz whose…
Jake Atlas and the Hunt for the Feathered God, Rob Lloyd Jones
Walker Books ISBN 9781406377712 £6.99 In this second instalment of the adventures of the Atlas family, treasure-hunters extraordinaire, Jake and Pandora are in training in England until they are whisked off to the steamy jungles of Honduras to find another of the hidden tablets. The People of the Snake are causing trouble and trying to…
The Ice Garden, Guy Jones
Chicken House ISBN 9781911490043 £6.99 Jess lives her life, quite literally, in the shadows; she suffers from a skin condition which is triggered by exposure to light and when she goes out she is dressed like an astronaut or beekeeper. Then she sneaks out to the local park at night and discovers a weird and…
Human World A Visual Compendium of Wonders From Human History, Amanda Wood and Mike Jolley
Wide Eyed Editions ISBN 9781847809933 £17.99 A stunning collection of 60 information charts about human history that follow cultures and civilisations from prehistoric times through to modern times. We learn about the world’s first cities, how writing evolved, the history of money, and the invention of everyday things like soap and false teeth. I particularly…
The Great Sea Dragon Discovery, Pippa Goodhart
Catnip ISBN 9781910611081 £6.99 An informative adventure story set in Cambridgeshire in 1860. Bill is curious about the world around him. One of his experiments causes his father to lose his job. We feel his father’s pain and shame. Bill tries to help his family by selling fossils he has found, but he does not…
The Girl with the Lost Smile, Miranda Hart, illustrated by Kate Hindley
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444941845 £6.99 I found this book rather a struggle to engage with initially. The somewhat simplistic, and at times clumsy, language jarred as I read and I found the consistent emboldening of selected words and phrases throughout the text rather distracting. It tells the tale of Chloe, who on her eleventh…
The Girl Who Saw Lions, Berlie Doherty
Andersen Press ISBN 9781783446469 £6.99 This is a reissue of a book published in 2007 called Abela, but if you do not have a copy it is well worth buying. It is the story of two young girls, Abela who lives in Tanzania and Rosa who lives in England. It follows the girls through trauma and…
The Company of Eight, Harriet Whitehorn
Stripes Publishing ISBN 9781847159229 £6.99 This is a fantasy adventure story set in the Longest World, a series of islands and archipelagos. It is the story of Cass, a young acrobat who wants to join the renowned Circus Ship touring the world. It is a story of pirates, swords and magic – set in the…
The Boy at the Back of the Class, Onjali Q Raúf
Orion Children’s Books ISBN 9781510105010 £6.99 An accomplished novel for children aged 9-11 examining the issues surrounding the current refugee problem. Onjali Q Raúf has created a very recognisable group of friends and their classroom life through her careful characterisation and descriptions of events. Most children will recognise the school bully, the unpopular teacher and…
The Book of Boy, Catherine Gilbert-Murdock
Chicken House ISBN 9781911490579 £6.99 The Book of Boy is a fantasy adventure story set in Europe in the year 1350, just after the death and destruction caused by the Black Death, when over a third of Europe’s population died. It is the story of Boy, a hunchback goat-herd on a French estate, who can communicate…
Bombs and Blackberries: A World War Two Play, Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Thomas Docherty
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444938791 £12.99 This is the hard-pressed teacher’s answer to prayer, especially but not essentially if they are still including a study of WW2 in their history curriculum: a play about the evacuation, the Manchester blitz and its effects on the lives of all those caught up in any or all of…
Back on Weird Street, Anne Fine
Barrington Stoke ISBN 9781781129 £5.99 A three-story collection ideal for children who like their stories to be scary but set among familiar surroundings. Three friends share tales about strange happenings in houses in their street – a deserted garden, a spooky cellar which hides a sad story and a message in a dream which leads…
The Afterwards, A. F. Harrold, illustrated by Emily Gravett
Bloomsbury ISBN 9781408894316 £12.99 Remarkably powerful friendships are becoming a trademark of A.F. Harrold. For those who enjoyed The Imaginary, here is another very different tale of loyalty: comical, moving, yet darkly disturbing by turns. Ember and Ness are best friends who lark about and share everything- then Ness dies suddenly and Ember is utterly…
The Wizards of Once Book 2 Twice Magic, Cressida Cowell
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 97814444941401 £12.99 This is the second book in the award winning The Wizards of Once series. At the start of the book Xar is in the prison Gormincrag, and Wish is in Queen Sychorax’s castle, which is now behind a huge wall that was created to protect people from witches. Once…
What on Earth? Trees, Kevin Warwick, illustrated by Paulina Morgan
QED ISBN 9781784939311 £7.99 I am a big fan of this series and this volume does not disappoint. First we meet trees and read two poems. Next a labelled diagram of a tree explains the special parts and the jobs they do. Then leaves are examined and we are shown how to start a leaf…
What on Earth? Robots, Jenny Fretland VanVoorst, iIllustrated by Paulina Morgan
QED ISBN 9781784935603 £9.99 This is a most impressive book. It opens with robot poetry, and children are invited to write their own robot poems. The Robots in history section reminds us that robots have been around for thousands of years. There is an explanation of what a robot is, and we learn about robot…
The Waggiest Tails: Poems written by dogs, with help from Brian Moses and Roger Stevens, illustrated by Ed Boxall
Otter-Barry Books ISBN 9781910959893 £6.99 This is a delightful collection of poems from two masters of words and creative approaches, Brian Moses and Roger Stevens. They are clearly dog-owners and dog-lovers, with real insight into the vast array of characters, traits and eccentricities that is Man’s Best Friend. My daughter read Rescue Dog out loud to the…
Uncle Gobb and the Plot Plot, Michael Rosen, illustrated by Neal Layton
Bloomsbury ISBN 9781408873946 £10.99 The cover of this book reproduces and excerpt from a Guardian review describing Uncle Gobb and the Plot Plot as ‘story telling anarchy’ and I really couldn’t put it better myself! This hilarious, often irreverent tale of Malcolm, his friends and the dreadful Uncle Gobb is the third in the Uncle Gobb series…
Treasure Hunt House, Kate Davies, illustrated by Becca Stadtlander
Lincoln Children’s Books 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…
This Book is Not Rubbish, Isabel Thomas, illustrated by Alex Patterson
Wren and Rook, an imprint of Hachette Children’s Group ISBN 9781526361530 £6.99 This book is not rubbish, but shows the reader 50 ways to deuce rubbish, ditch plastic and to save the world. This very apt 2018 paperback publication will inspire and empower children to get involved in environmental issues. It is also a book…
Thinker: My Puppy Poet and Me, Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by Ehsan Abdollahi
Tiny Owl ISBN 9781910328330 £9.99 This unusual book tells the tale of Thinker the Dog and puppy poet and his relationship with his new family and, in particular, his young master and friend Jace. The story is told through a series of poems either by Jace or by Thinker. The quirky but detailed collage illustrations…
A Stage Full of Shakespeare Stories, Angela McAllister, illustrated by Alice Lindstrom
Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781786031143 £12.99 A colourfully illustrated anthology of twelve of Shakespeare’s best-known plays, this lavish hardback offers an accessible introduction to the works of the Bard including Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and the Tempest. The story synopses cover the key elements of each plot, familiarising us with the main characters, all of whom are usefully…
Spot the Mistake: Journeys of Discovery, Amanda Wood and Mike Jolley, illustrated by Frances Castle
Wide Eyed Editions ISBN 9781786031297 £12.99 A fascinating book about explorers. The reader is challenged to find 20 mistakes in every scene. Some are very obvious but others demand more reflection. Turn over the page and there are lists of the errors together with additional, detailed information. It is a most effective way of engaging…
Shiny Pippin and the Monkey Burglars, Harry Heape, illustrated by Rebecca Bagley
Faber and Faber ISBN 9780571332175 £6.99 Pippin is a young girl who is ‘shiny’ – able to communicate with animals after being sprinkled with stardust. She is part of ‘The Good Team’ a group of crime fighters, alongside her Granny and Mungo a love-struck geologist. They are hired by Lady Elliott to recover her son’s…
The Shelter Puppy, Holly Webb, illustrated by Sophy Williams
Stripes Publishing ISBN 9781847159230 £5.99 Caitlin’s school is having a community week and Caitlin’s class is giving presentations on a charities they might support. She visits a local animal shelter and meets various animals including Winston, a charming whippet cross. Caitlin is attracted to the puppy who stars in her presentation. The class, and then…
The Secret Seven: Mystery of the Skull And The Secret Seven Brain Games, Pamela Butchart
The Secret Seven: Mystery of the Skull, Pamela Butchart Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444941531 £6.99 and The Secret Seven Brain Games Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444944631 £5.99 Award-winning author Pamela Butchart has taken up Enid Blyton’s mantle and has produced a new Secret Seven story. Peter finds a skull hidden in his bedroom and calls…
Riding a Donkey Backwards – Wise and Foolish Tales of Mulla Nasruddin, Sean Taylor and Khayaal Theatre, illustrated by Shirin Adl
Otter-Barry Books ISBN 9781910959305 £12.99 This would be a welcome addition to any classroom or library bookshelf. It is a compilation of 21 short stories featuring Mulla Nasruddin, a wise and funny trickster famed in Muslim culture. The humour would be enjoyed by children aged 5 to10 and the deeper messages, riddles and wisdom would…
Raise the Flag, Clive Gifford, illustrated by Tim Bradford
QED ISBN 9781784932152 £10.99 Flags are important. At the time of writing this review Donald Trump is under criticism for not flying the White House flag at half-mast for long enough after the death of John McCain. This book is a treasure trove of information about flags. It is wide-ranging, including fascinating sections such as…
Ottoline and the Purple Fox, Chris Riddell.
Macmillan ISBN 9781509881550 £6.99 The fourth Ottoline book is now available in paperback. Ottoline’s parents continue to travel the world seeking new items for their collection. Ottoline decides to hold a dinner party. One of the guests is the suave Purple Fox, who takes Ottoline and her best friend, Mr Munroe, on a night time…
Magical Kingdom of Birds – The Sleepy Hummingbirds, Anne Booth, illustrated by Rosie Butcher
OUP ISBN 9780 192766212 £5.99 The Magical Kingdom of Birds – The Sleepy Hummingbirds, is Anne Booth’s (Refuge,The Lucy series) first book in a new series. The protagonist, Maya, is a solitary soul who has something of an obsession with birds. So, when sister Lauren, who is about to depart for university, gives her a colouring…
Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, abridged by Juliet Stanley, illustrated by Robert Ingpen
Palazzo ISBN 9781786750457 £12.99 This story is so deeply embedded in our culture, that Alice’s dream-like adventure of falling down a rabbit hole, changing size repeatedly and meeting such characters as the White Rabbit, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter and Red Queen are widely known. It has been published in many editions and made into several…
Just Plain Weird, Kaye Umansky, illustrated by Chris Mould
Barrington Stoke ISBN 9781781127919 £6.99 This is a warm and funny story about Pinchton Primm, whose exceptionally clean, healthy and regimented world is turned on its head when he makes friends with the Weird family next door. The Weirds are wild, shambolic and interesting: Otterly is a ‘creative dresser’ and mum wrestles sharks. But best…
Fantastically Great Women Who Made History, written and illustrated by Kate Pankhurst
Bloomsbury ISBN 9781408878903 £6.99 A beautifully illustrated book that celebrates the achievements of great women. Some are well-known, such as Boudicca, Pocahontas, Harriet Tubman and Mary Shelley, but others are less familiar, like Valentina Tereshkova, Elizabeth Blackwell, Ada Lovelace, Mary Wollstonecraft, Josephine Baker, Hatshepsut, Flora Drummond, Sayyida al-Hurra, Qiu Jin and Noor Inayat Khan. The…
Explorers: BUGS, Nick Forshaw, illustrated by William Exley
What on Earth Publishing ISBN 9780995576605 £9.99 This is the first of a new series of books, written in conjunction with the Natural History Museum and aimed at the 7+ age group. Whilst this is a look at mini beast’ there is an element of adventure and exploration involved; it is narrated by Agent Eagle…
A Christmas Story, written and illustrated by Brian Wildsmith
Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192768728 £7.99 Originally written in 1989, this new small format hardback edition is a delight. The nativity story is told from the perspective of a little donkey whose mother carries Mary to Bethlehem with Joseph. The little donkey is sad to be left alone and so Rebecca, the young girl charged…
Asterix and the Chariot Race, Jean-Yves Ferri, illustrated by Didier Conrad, translated by Adriana Hunter
Orion Children’s Books ISBN 9781510105003 £7.99 I am quite new to Asterix, though I read a few as a child, so I was pleased to be asked to write this review. Like all good stories, it works on many levels and I certainly enjoyed all the jokey names – Lactus Bifidus, Outinthastix, Zerogluten & Betacaroten,…
Children’s Wildlife Atlas, John Farndon
QED ISBN 9781784939687 £12.99 A comprehensive atlas that looks at different habitats round the world, and the relationships between animals and their environments. There are sections on tropical grasslands, tropical rainforests, deserts, temperate woodlands, temperate grasslands, taiga and tundra, wetlands, mountains and polar regions, and animal classification. Farnon celebrates the variety of life, and provides…
Captain Rosalie, Timothee de Fombelle, illustrated by Isabelle Arsenault
Walker Books ISBN 9781406377101 £8.99 What a delightful book. This is the story of 5-year-old Rosalie and her struggle to learn to read. More importantly, it is a story of how war, in this case World War One, impacts on the lives of those left behind – at school, at work, and as mothers. Rosalie’s…
Sonam and the Silence by Eddie Ayers. Illustrated by Ronak Taher
Allen and Unwin ISBN 9781760634872 £11.99 The sombre tone and theme of the story are married effectively with the deep colours, textures and layers of the powerful illustrations. Based on fact, it tells of a time when music of any kind was banned by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Sonam is a young girl from Kabul…
Black Music Greats: 40 inspiring icons by Olivier Cachin Illustrated by Jerome Masi
Wide Eyed Editions ISBN9781786034700 £9.99 There has been a tremendous development in the number of biographical collections that are available over the last few years. There has also been a greater emphasis on diversity in all its forms. This book is part of a series by the forward thinking publisher Wide Eyed Editions and combines…
Outdoor Science: Habitats by Sonya Newland
Wayland ISBN 9781526309426 £12.99 Habitats is one of the perennial topics that are taught as part of the curriculum and which need to be kept up to date because of changing circumstances, new research and changes in policies around the world. This title, part of the ‘Outdoor Science’ series is new for 2019 and should…
My London Activity Clipboard by Eryl Nash Illustrated by Clair Rossiter
Walker Books (www.walker.co.uk ) ISBN 9781406387582 £9.99 This is a lovely way to learn about London and its most famous landmarks. All the activities come presented in a hardback clipboard, which children will love to use as they tour the sights and sounds of London. A lot of care has gone into making the activities…
The Butterfly House by Katy Flint Illustrated by Alice Pattullo & Frances Lincoln
Quarto ISBN 9781786039743 £12.99 A most attractive book. The cover shows a beautiful butterfly cage outlined in gold. Then we enter the magical world of the butterfly house and meet many of the major butterfly and moth families in the world. Did you know that there are over 180,000 species of butterflies and moths, and…
The Wonderful World of Clothes by Emma Damon
Otter-Barry Books ISBN9781910959176 £12.99 A charming book that explores the wonderful world of clothes all around the world. Each page is a delight. Themes include hot and cold, off to school, sports, leisure wear, travel and shopping. I particularly liked the sections on clothes for special jobs such as a firefighter and an astronaut, the…
When Planet Earth was New. (A Short History of Our Planet’s Long Journey) by James Gladstone Illustrated by Katherine Diemert
Wayland Publishers ISBN 9781526308986 £12.99 This book introduces a very complex subject in a way that gives children a good, simple explanation of the sheer vastness of the earth’s history and how the earth has evolved over billions of years. It uses bold language and artwork to grab the young reader. The book demonstrates how…
Wild World, Angela McAllister, illustrated by Hvass and Hannibal
Wide Eyed ISBN 9781847809650 £11.99 A beautiful book with glorious illustrations that celebrates the last 13 wildernesses on earth. The illustrators capture the essence and detail of each habitat – rainforest, arctic, prairie, woodland, coral reef, desert, rock pool, mountain, outback, moorland, deep sea, mangrove and savannah. McAllister’s verse is descriptive and powerful. It reads…
There’s room for everyone, Anahita Teymorian, 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 Story of Tantrum O’Furrily, Cressida Cowell, illustrated by Mark Nicholas
Hodder ISBN 9781444933802 £12.99 This is a delightful story of a young kitten and her desire for adventure. Despite living in a comfortable home with plenty to eat, Smallpaw is bored and longs to explore the world outside the cat flap. When she finally does escape, she comes up against a hungry fox and, if…
Square, Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen
Walker ISBN 9781406378658 £12.99 Second in a trilogy about shapes, Square is as unexpected as it is comical. The character, Square, spends his days pushing square blocks up a hill onto an ever-growing pile. ‘This is his work’ catapults us into the world of metaphor for monotonous employment. Is it fulfilling for Square? Does he…
Scratch and Discover World Atlas, Charlotte Trounce
Wide Eyed Editions ISBN 9781786032768 £11.99 This hardback book with a bamboo stylus is aimed at Nursery and Lower KS1 children at Primary School and could be a book for both the school classroom and at home. It is both innovative and interactive. The Atlas is made up of a variety of fully illustrated maps…
Rose’s Dress of Dreams, Katherine Woodfine, illustrated by Kate Pankhurst
Barrington Stoke ISBN 9781781127681 £6.99 Katherine Woodfine is a familiar name with her series of Sinclair Mysteries for middle grade readers but, with this book, she has focused on a slightly younger audience. This is a fictionalized story about a young girl, Rose Bertin, who would eventually become the first really famous Couturier in France.…
Red Alert! Catherine Barr, illustrated by Anne Wilson
Otter-Barry Books ISBN 9781910959961 £12.99 A charming, engaging book that features 15 endangered species, including the blue whale, the snow leopard, staghorn coral and the peacock tarantula. Children are invited to choose areas of the world and creatures that interest them. They are directed to pages that tell the story of that creature, and the…
Rabbit and Bear – Attack of the Snack, Julian Gough, illustrated by Jim Field
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444938173 £9.99 The third in the popular series of Rabbit and Bear stories continues in the same vein. It is a story of friendship, adventure and learning along the way. Rabbit is experiencing his best day ever when a mysterious object whizzes past his eyes, crashes and then plummets into the…
Prambusters, Anne Fine, illustrated by Vicki Gausden
Barrington Stoke ISBN 9781781127360 £6.99 Two opposing teams at a summer school are tasked with designing a baby’s pram. Inevitably they have very different ideas of what the ideal pram would be like – one has a fluffy, friendly approach whilst the other opts for a hard-edged rocket-powered device with knives on the wheels. Perhaps…
The Poesy Ring, Bob Graham
Walker Books ISBN 9781406378276 £11.99 ‘County Kerry, west coast of Ireland, 1830. Bitter tears were shed, and a ring was thrown.’ So how does this ring, which landed in meadow grass, end up on the finger of a young woman in New York 137 years later? The Poesy Ring – inscribed with the words Love…
Plantopedia: A Celebration of Nature’s Greatest Show-offs, Adrienne Barman
Wide Eyed ISBN 9781786031396 £14.99 This book is great fun. The colourful, eye-catching illustrations lure the reader in and encourage young readers to explore the world of plants. Plants, trees, vegetables and flowers are divided into 50 different categories, with catchy titles such as the air fresheners, the big eaters, and the confused fruits that…
P is for Paris, Paul Thurlby
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444930641 £16.99 This book explores Paris in a very unique way. As a book for a classroom it would provide an excellent resource to interest all children not only studying France and the French language but also interested in how people live in the Capital of France. It is a book…
The Night Dragon, Naomi Howarth
Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781786031037 £11.99 Maud is a dragon who wants to fly. She is picked on by the other dragons, so stays alone in her cave. One night, the sky remains light for longer than usual. The other dragons are sleeping after a birthday party. Urged on by her loyal friend, Mouse, Maud…
Mummy Time, Judith Kerr
Harper Collins ISBN 9780008306809 £12.99 The astonishing and ever popular Judith Kerr has just produced another charming, yet relevant book for 3-7-year-olds – in her nineties! With her trademark detailed pastel and pencil illustrations, she has created a gentle, whimsical tale which, for all her recent protestations on Radio 4, manages to point out the…
Mr. Penguin and the Lost Treasure, Alex T. Smith
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444932072 £6.99 Alex T. Smith is the creator of the bestselling Claude series of early readers. His new hero is Mr Penguin who has a dashing hat, a large magnifying glass, an important looking office in his igloo and a fish finger sandwich packed lunch. Keen to be an adventurer, Mr…
Grandad Mandela, Zindzi Mandela, Zazi and Ziwelene Mandela, illustrated by Sean Qualls
Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781786031365 £12.99 Zazi and Ziwelene, Nelson Mandela’s great-grandchildren, find a photo of their great-grandfather, and they question their grandmother about Grandad. They learn that he was a freedom fighter who spent 27 years in prison. He believed in peace and forgiveness. He became the President of South Africa and a Nobel…
Girls Can Do Anything, Caryl Hart, illustrated by Ali Pye
Scholastic Children’s ISBN 9781407177380 £6.99 This colourful, upbeat picture book conveys the powerful message of the title with real verve. It has endpapers which begin the book with portraits of ‘future’ jobs for girls like ‘carpenter’ or ‘comedian’ and which end with real portraits of inspirational women like Jane Goodall and Marin Alsop. Between these…
Dogs in Space: The Amazing True Story of Belka and Strelka, Vix Southgate, illustrated by Iris Deppe
Wren and Rook ISBN 978-1526360571 £12.99 This is a fascinating true story. In 1960 two stray dogs were handpicked from the streets of Moscow to become space pioneers. Belka and Strelka followed a training regime to ensure they were suitable for their mission. They practised rocket simulations and wore spacesuits. Eventually they were launched into…
The Case of The Red-Bottomed Robber, written and illustrated by Richard Byrne
Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192749765 £11.99 Who wouldn’t love a book about a red bottomed robber! This book will have children giggling from the start. The chalks are dismayed when they realise someone is stealing their drawings. With the help of Sergeant Blue and his high-level detective skills they soon work out the height of…
The Coral Kingdom, Laura Knowles, illustrated by Jennie Webber
words and pictures ISBN 9781910277379 £12.99 A delightful introduction to the world of the coral reef for younger children. The sensitive illustrations show a vibrant medley of underwater life. The text is rhyming and lyrical and reads well aloud. We meet a range of creatures from shimmering shoals of fish to the green sea turtle,…
Bird Builds a Nest, Martin Jenkins, illustrated by Richard Jones
Walker Books ISBN 9781406355130 £11.99 This is billed as ‘a science storybook about forces’. Through the format of a bird’s activities (pulling a worm out of the ground, collecting twigs for nest-building etc), it provides a simple introduction to the notion of forces, from an award-winning author who has developed a reputation for explaining fact…
Being a Princess is Very Hard Work, Sarah Kilbride, illustrated by Ada Grey.
Bloomsbury Children’s Books ISBN 9781408881941 £6.99 A fantastic picture book with a heart-warming theme at its core. On first reading I thought this was told from a young princess’ viewpoint moaning about how hard it is to be a princess but, as the book draws to its conclusion, you find out that it is narrated…
Wishing For A Dragon. Written and illustrated by Becky Cameron.
Hachette/Hodder Children’s Books . ISBN 9781444936230 £6.99 Ooh a super story of imagination, dreams and adventure. As three siblings go off to bed, they moan they are not tired and want one more adventure before bed. Unfortunately, typical of brothers and sisters, they cannot agree, one wanting to seek out pirates and treasure, another hoping…
How to Be A Butterfly by Laura Knowles Illustrated by Catell Ronca words and pictures
Quarto ISBN 9781786038838 £12.99 A colourful introduction to the world of butterflies for KS1. I am impressed by the clarity of the information. The language is conversational in tone, but the information is not dumbed down. We learn about the anatomy, behaviour and life cycle of butterflies. A wide range of species is included and…
Muhammad Ali (Little People, Big Dreams) by Isabel Sanchez Vegara Illustrated by Brosmind Frances
Lincoln ISBN 9781786037336 £9.99 Over the past few years there seems to have been resurgence in the number of biographical stories being written for children of all ages. This book is part of a large series for KS1 children and tells the story of one of the most iconic sportsmen of the last century. He…
Adventure Duck v s Power Pug by Steve Cole Illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff
Hachette Children’s Books (www.hachettechildrens.co.uk) ISBN 9781408356838 £5.99 Steve Cole’s latest book is a brilliantly silly tale of a superhero duck and a super-villain pug. When a meteor strikes a pond, a resident duck develops unusual powers. But he’s not the only one to have taken on new abilities, and not all the animals are going…
Horrid Henry – Up, Up and Away by Francesca Simon Illustrated Tony Ross
Hachette Children’s Books (www.hachettechildrens.co.uk) ISBN 9781510105928 £5.99 The hugely popular Horrid Henry is back for more fiendish fun in this collection of 4 short stories. As always with the fantastic Horrid Henry books, this title stands perfectly on its own as well as part of a larger series. This means even if you’ve never read…
Kiss the Crocodile by Sean Taylor Illustrated by Ben Mantle
Walker Books (www.walker.co.uk) ISBN 9781406387926 £6.99 This delightful tale of friendship is told through the adventures of three friends: Monkey, Tortoise and Anteater. We’re introduced to this lively trio on page one, and follow them as they play and have fun together, each introducing their own favourite silly game. The twist in this particular tale…
The Brontës The Fantastically Feminist (and Totally True) Story of the Astonishing Authors by Anna Doherty
Wren and rook ISBN 9781526361066 £12.99 An inspiring introduction to the amazing Brontë family and the time in which they lived. Charlotte, Emily, Anne and Branwell grow up on the wild Yorkshire moors. They have powerful imaginations and invent fantasy worlds to entertain each other. As they grow older they begin working, often as teachers…
Think Big! by Kes Gray Illustrated by Nathan Reed
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444942125 £12.99 Written in the recognisable style of his previous ‘Oi…’ books (Frog, Goat, Cat, etc), here we meet Humpty Dumpty, surrounded on his wall by his nursery rhyme friends. (I wonder how many of them today’s children will know?) He plans to be a boiled egg in the future, but…
Tiger’s Roar by Alex Rance Illustrated by Shane McG
Allen and Unwin ISBN 9781911631095 £11.99 Tiger is champion of the jungle. Strong and bold, he sits at the top of the tallest tree. Suddenly he is blown from his perch and finds himself on the ground. He is unable to climb the tree again, and his roar has dwindled to a meow. His friends…
The Woollies Follow the Footprints, Kelly McKain, illustrated by Jon Stuart
Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192747846 £6.99 Zip, Bling, Puzzle and Baby are four knitted creatures who live in a knitted house in a park. On waking one day, Baby Woolly is captivated by a set of strange footprints. He and Zip decide to follow, but first they engage in what Woollies do best: ‘imagi-knitting’. They…
Winnie and Wilbur The Monster Mystery, Valerie Thomas’ illustrated by Korky Paul
OUP ISBN 9780192766939 £11.99 Winnie and Wilbur notice a trail of footprints across the garden. Who has made them? They decide to investigate by going into the deep dark forest round their home. Hazards abound, and Winnie and Wilbur become separated. Wilbur meets big friendly hairy monsters with tiny feet. Winnie has to resort to…
The Way Home For Wolf, Rachel Bright, illustrated by Jim Field
Orchard ISBN 9781408349205 £12.99 Set in the snowy Arctic, Wilf is a brave wolf cub. He is spirited and independent. When the wolf pack decides to move, Wilf is keen to lead the pack. The wolves say he will one day, but choose an elder for the task. As the journey gets tough, young Wilf…
Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, Mem Fox, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
Walker Books ISBN 9781406377873 £5.99 This is a tenth anniversary edition of the Mem Fox/Helen Oxenbury classic. A celebration of all things baby, and a timely reminder, if one were needed, of a book that is as near perfection it is possible to get. With patterned and predictable language, it is easily memorised by the…
Super Frozen Magic Forest, Matty Long
OUP ISBN 9780192748607 £6.99 This is the third book in the Magic Forest series. It is winter and there is snow, ice and frost in the Super Happy Magic Forest. Our heroes – Blossom the unicorn, Trevor the mushroom, Hoofius the faun, Twinkle the fairy and Herbert the gnome – have to travel north to…
Santa’s Wonderful Workshop, Elys Dolan
OUP ISBN 9780192746177 £6.99 This book is enormous fun. We go into Santa’s workshop and see all the commotion. Santa and his elves are preparing for the busiest Christmas ever. Penguins join the team of elves and things become chaotic. A polar bear is brought in to deal with the penguins, but all does not…
Rusty the Squeaky Robot, Neil Clark
words and pictures (Quarto Group) ISBN 9781910277515 £11.99 Rusty is a robot living far, far away on Planet Robotone. He squeaks, and he doesn’t like it. He squeaked in the daytime and squeaked through the night. He squeaked so much it gave him a fright. Then the chilling line, ‘If he couldn’t like his squeak,…
Ready to Ride, Sebastien Pelon
words and pictures ISBN 9781910277720 £11.99 A young boy is bored, and his mum tells him to go outside. A ‘ball of fur wearing a pink hat’ rides past and the boy hops on his bike and joins him. Although the boy talks to him, the friendly white creature does not speak. The creature eats…
The Queen’s Lift-Off, written and illustrated by Steve Antony
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444934212 £12.99 This is fourth in the ‘Queen’ collection of picture books by author/illustrator Steve Antony, following The Queen’s Hat, The Queen’s Handbag and The Queen’s Present. Through sparse, but well-chosen text, we follow the Queen’s unexpected trip through the solar system, until she is sucked into a black hole. Fortunately, she is rescued…
Please Mr Magic Fish, written and illustrated by Jessica Souhami
Otter Barry Books ISBN 9781910959183 £11.99 A retelling of the traditional story of the fisherman and his wife, with, in the best oral tradition, an individual ‘take’ on the tale. The Grimm version focuses on the dissatisfied wife and a hen-pecked husband, never satisfied with the increasingly opulent lifestyle they wish for until in the…
The Only Lonely Panda, Jonny Lambert
Little Tiger ISBN 9781848690 £11.99 The lonely little Panda who bemoans the lack of a friend as he sits in the dewy forest at the start of the book, becomes an ever more endearingly comic character as the story progresses. He spies a female one day and racks his brains over how they might become…
One Day, So Many Ways, Laura Hall, illustrated by Loris Lora
Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781847809735 £14.99 A thought-provoking book that follows over 40 children round the world over 24 hours. It is fascinating to explore differences and similarities in everyday routines and ways of life. In the Outback, Australia, the children do not go to school because they live too far away. They listen to…
Oi Cat! Kes Gray, illustrated by Jim Field
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444932522 £6.99 This wonderful book from the team that created Oi Frog! And Oi Dog! has been issued in paperback. Frog has decided that cats should sit on gnats. Cat is not happy because gnats are “gnibbly” and bite him on the bottom. Dog tries to suggest other rhyming combinations, but to no avail. Then…
The New Baby and Me, Christine Kidney, illustrated by Hoda Haddadi
Tiny Owl ISBN 9781910328187 £12.99 A story about five brothers waiting for the arrival of a new baby in their family. The brothers are expecting another brother and are surprised when the new baby turns out to be a girl, leading them to wonder what she will be like, will enjoy doing and will grow…
My First Day: Starting at nursery, step by step, Amber Stewart, illustrated by Layn Marlow
Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192768520 £6.99 Puddle is a duckling who cannot wait to start nursery school and watches enviously as the older ducklings set off each morning with their important-looking backpacks – until the time comes for him to join them. The night before his first day, he suddenly gets cold feet and decides…
The Mouse Who Wasn’t Scared, by Petr Horacek
Walker Books ISBN 9781406374575 £9.99 Little Mouse wants to go exploring in the woods. Although she is small, she is not scared of anything. We follow her encounters with a wolf, a bear, a moose, and a cat inside a little house. She is not frightened of any of the big, scary animals, but the…
Me and My Dad, Robin Shaw
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444928129 £6.99 A little girl goes for a walk with her dad. On the way she sees imaginary characters like crocodiles in puddles, R-R-ROARing trains over the viaduct, dinosaurs, a princess in an old building waiting to be rescued, tigers in forests in the potted plant shop, treasure in the pet…
The Magic Garden, written and illustrated by Lemniscates
Quarto ISBN 9781633225138 £10.99 This is an enchanting story about recognizing the beauty that is to be found in the world around us. Chloe, the central character, lives in a home with a garden, but she has no real understanding of the things that are to be found there and how they can make us…
Juniper Jupiter, written and illustrated by Lizzy Stewart
Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781786030238 £11.99 Juniper Jupiter is a little girl super-hero, but, as we are repeatedly told, ‘It’s no big deal’. Actually, maybe it is – we are, after all, used to our superheroes being mostly male. She has all the usual super-hero powers being super brave, super strong, super smart and can,…
Joy, Corrinne Averiss, illustrated by Isabelle Follath
Words and pictures ISBN 9781910277652 £11.99 Fern, a little girl who loves her Nanna, is very concerned when she discovers how ‘down’ she has become recently. Mum says it’s as if the joy has gone out of her life. So begins Fern’s mission to try to capture some of the things which engender that lovely…
I Really Want That Unicorn, written and illustrated by Fabi Santiago
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408336908 £12.99 A fabulous, funny book about a talent show. Chloe Crocodile is desperate to win because she wants the Big Sparkly Mellow Yellow Unicorn. In order to succeed, she must make the best rainbow unicorn cake, the best magic castle, the best unicorn fairy costume and give the perfect performance on…
I Just Ate My Friend, Heidi McKinnon
Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781760634353 £11.99 An un-scary monster has just eaten his friend! This book is his search for someone to replace his friend – and shows how hard it can be to find friends sometimes. The illustrations are large, bold and very simple, filled with colour against bold black backgrounds. Does the monster…
How Rude! written and illustrated by Sarah Arnold
Otter Barry books ISBN 9781910959350 £11.99 Pig spots Mole beside the road with a large box and offers him a lift. When asked about the contents Mole’s retort is ‘NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!’ Pig considers this very rude and slams on his brakes, ejecting Mole from the car. Intrigued by the mysterious box Pig is…
Erik the Lone Wolf, Sarah Finan
Lincoln Children’s Books Quarto ISBN 9780178603108 £11.99 Erik is part of a wolf pack. He is growing up and does not like being told what to do. He feels trapped by the pack rules so he decides to go off on his own. Initially this is liberating, and Erik has fun. He climbs higher than…
Emily Brown and Father Christmas, Cressida Cowell, illustrated by Neal Layton
Hachette Children’s ISBN 9781444941999 £12.99 A new addition to the Emily Brown series by well-known author Cressida Cowell (of How to Train your Dragon fame) and illustrator Neal Layton. It is Christmas Eve and Father Christmas is having all sorts of problems. Fortunately, he finds himself right outside Emily Brown’s bedroom and she and her rabbit, Stanley,…
A Dog with Nice Ears, Lauren Child
Orchard Books ISBN 97-1408346143 £6.99 Fans of the Charlie and Lola picture book series will be thrilled to read another episode in their lives. Charlie’s narration always begins, ‘I have this little sister Lola. She is small and very funny’. There follows much sibling dialogue, in this case on Lola’s current obsession: dogs. They talk…
Chalkboard Alphabet, Walter Foster Jr.
Quarto Publishing Group USA ISBN 9781633223868 £7.99 This is basically an alphabet book with pictures to illustrate each letter of the alphabet, a funny sentence to capture the two letters shown on each page, for example, ‘Alligator rides a Bicycle. Cow jumps over the doughnut’ and two lines of blackboard at the bottom on which…
Can You See a Little Bear? James Mayhew, illustrated by Jackie Morris
Otter Barry Books ISBN 9781910959367 £12.99 A sumptuous picture book for sharing with a young child, Can You See a Little Bear? engagingly introduces the concepts of opposites and rhyming words which young children love to guess and join in with, whilst inviting them to ask imaginative questions. Each of Jackie Morris’ lavish illustrations has a depth…
Am I Yours? Written and illustrated by Alex Latimer
OUP ISBN 9780192759467 £6.99 A gentle story about dinosaurs and belonging. A dinosaur egg is blown out of its nest and down a hill. It is lost and upset. Five different dinosaurs try to find out who the egg belongs to. We learn about the key characteristics of dinosaur species such as a Stegosaurus’ spikes…
ABC Mindful Me, written and illustrated by Christiane Engel
Quarto ISBN 9781633225114 £10.99 This is an ABC book which looks at the theme of Mindfulness. This is a topic which has been growing in importance over the last few years and it has been difficult to find materials that target the youngest children. The author has managed to find themes based around this concept,…
15 things NOT to do with a Puppy, Margaret Mc Allister, illustrated by Holly Sterling
Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781786030474 £11.99 This is the follow-up to the popular 15 things NOT to do with your Granny and 15 things NOT to do with a Baby. It is a charming book with child-friendly humour that teaches children how to look after a puppy. Don’t take your puppy hang-gliding, and Don’t teach your puppy to play…
Oi Duck-Billed Platypus! Kes Gray Illustrated by Jim Field
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444-937336 £6.99 The Gray/Field partnership have already delighted young readers with Oi Frog!, Oi Dog! and Oi Cat! where animals are given a rhyming item on which to sit, which is much funnier than would first appear. This new title immediately alerts us to something different – Duck-Billed Platypus? Whatever rhymes with that? Or indeed…
Joseph’s Cradle written and illustrated by Jude Daly
Otter Barry Books ISBN:9781910959794 £11.99 This is the charming story of a cradle, carved from a much-loved village tree felled in a storm, in which each new-born in the village sleeps. Their names are subsequently carved on the cradle’s side, recording several generations of village babies for posterity. When disaster strikes and fire ravages the…
Mole’s Star written and illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
Orchard ISBN 9781408342831 £6.99 At night, Mole comes out of his burrow and gazes at the stars twinkling in the sky above. He sees a shooting star and wishes he could have all the stars in the sky. His wish is granted and Mole places them in his burrow. He enjoys the stars until he…
Nell & the Circus of Dreams by Nell Gifford and Briony May Smith
OUP ISBN 9780192765949 £11.99 Nell is a young girl whose mother is ill. Nell loses her pet chicken and finds the magical world of the circus. Superb illustrations recreate the circus of dreams, and repay close inspection. The cover of the book feels like linen and the gold lettering adds a special touch. Nell Gifford…
You Can’t Cuddle a Crocodile by Diana Hendry and Illustrated by Ed Eaves
Hachette/Hodder Children’s Books. ISBN 9781444924541 £12.99 A tale of childlike imagination and wild family life where the little sister rules the roost. The story is narrated by her older brother who, unusually in a family tale, is nameless throughout. Her Mum, Dad and brother seem to be at the mercy of the little girl’s imagination…
The Man Who Loved Libraries: The story of Andrew Carnegie by Andrew Larsen, illustrated by Katty Maurey
Pikku Publishing http://pikkupublishing.com/ 978 0 9934884 81 £8.99 This book tells the rags to riches story of Andrew Carnegie. He was born the son of a weaver in 19th century Scotland and emigrated to America with his family in search of a better life. With determination, hard work and a passion for learning he became successful…
The Good Guys by Rob Kemp Illustrated by Paul Blow
Wren and Rook ISBN 9781526361448 £12.99 A beautifully illustrated book that celebrates heroes who have changed the world with kindness. The 50 role models are drawn from all walks of life. Some are famous such as David Attenborough, Louis Braille, Muhammad Ali, Nelson Mandela and Usain Bolt. Others are less well-known such as James Harrison…
The Dog who Saved the World by Ross Welford
Harper Collins Children’s Books www.harpercollins.co.uk ISBN 978 00 0 8256975 £6.99 This is a story about how the world nearly ends when threatened by a deadly virus; Canine Born Ebola or CBE, and how an eleven year old girl Georgie, her friend Ramzy and her dog Mr Mash eventually save the day. The method is difficult and daring…
The Button War by Avi
Walker Books ISBN 9781406380835; £6.99 What an interesting story, and an unusual approach to the starting months of World War One. Set in a village in Poland – which in 1914 didn’t exist as a country and was split between Russia, Germany and Austria-Hungary – the story begins with a childish challenge to collect buttons…
She Wolf by Dan Smith
Chicken House ISBN 9781910655931 £6.99 Set in Northumbria in 866, Ylva, a young Viking girl is washed ashore on a frozen beach. She is a strong-willed Viking and will not cry. Ylva’s mother has died at the hands of a three-fingered man. She is set on revenge and embarks on a dangerous journey encountering a…
The Restless Girls by Jessie Burton Illustrated by Angela Barrett
Bloomsbury www.bloomsbury.com ISBN 9781526603043 £14.99 This book was a delight from start to finish. Jessie Burton’s feminist re-presentation of the classic fairy tale, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, was, Burton claims, a joy to write and I wholeheartedly respond that it was, too, a joy to read. Burton writes beautifully, and with carefully chosen language she brings each of the…
On Planet Earth by Paul Mason Illustrated by Mark Ruffle
Wayland ISBN 9781526305763 £12.99 This is an addition to ‘The Cause, Effect and Chaos’ series of books which explore the relationships between things, actions and reactions, what can go wrong and the chaos that might occur. This book for KS2 pupils allows them to learn about the Planet Earth through double page spreads on topics…
Roman Britain and Londinium by Ben Hubbard
Franklin Watts ISBN 9781445157306 £12.99 The “time travel” format in this series is an exciting one for youngsters, and gets to the heart of why we develop an interest in the past: how were people different or the same as us in the all that time ago? The trip to Londinium is nicely set out here and…
How To Think Like An Absolute Genius by Philippe Brasseur
Quarto publishing (www.QuartoKnows.com) ISBN 9780711239845 £10.99 There are plenty of “How To..” manuals, but this one, for UKS2, is a real gem. As it makes clear on the page which contrasts a traditional school with one for geniuses, this is about curiosity, imagination and determination. Brasseur looks at 27 different geniuses as diverse…
Dictionary of Dinosaurs Edited by Dr Matthew G. Baron Illustrated by Dieter Braun.
Wide Eyed ISBN 9781786033284 £14.99 This comprehensive illustrated dictionary is published in partnership with the Natural History Museum, London. Many children are fascinated by dinosaurs, and this beautiful book contains information about every dinosaur that has ever been discovered. The introduction explains when dinosaurs lived, what killed off the dinosaurs, how we know about dinosaurs…
ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING! a History of Earth, Dinosaurs, Rulers, Robots and Other Things Too Numerous to Mention by Christopher Lloyd Illustrated by Andy Forshaw
What on Earth Books ISBN: 9781999802820 £16.99 A fabulous book that tells the history of the world and shows how it connects together .The content includes the beginning of the universe, dinosaurs, the start of civilisation, classical empires, the Americas, inventions, medieval misery, globalization, revolutions, wars, – and “to be continued”. There are photographs, illustrations,…
Famous Family Trees – explore 25 family trees from history by Kazi Hauge Illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger
Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN: 9781786 032973 £12.99 What a clever idea – take 25 famous people and draw their family tree. Each one is accompanied by a page highlighting the achievements of that individual. The illustrations and use of colour bring the pages to life but, unfortunately, for me, it doesn’t really work. There is…
Fast Forward The World’s Most Famous Race Tracks and Race Cars by Adam Skinner Illustrated by James Gilleard
Wide Eyed ISBN 9781786036292 £20 This book takes us to 13 countries across the world visiting iconic racing venues. We learn about the tracks, classic cars, the drivers and key moments in motor racing. I also enjoyed learning about the people who build, develop and maintain the cars, and the designers and architects who create the…
Supersize Cross Sections Inside Engines by Pascale Hedelin Illustrated by Lou Rihn
Wide Eyed £14.99 A stunning book that takes us inside 15 supersize vehicles. We are shown how they were constructed and are given an insight into what life was like on these vehicles. A wide range of cross sections is included – an 18th century adventure gallery captained by William Kidd; the Orient Express; RMS Titanic;…
Swallow’s Dance by Wendy Orr
Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781911631200 £7.99 This is a coming of age story. Leira is from a privileged background, the priest-class, and is on the brink of becoming a woman when her world is turned upside down. An earthquake and volcanic eruptions destroy her home, her life, her island. Her mother is seriously injured in…
Dinosaurs Time Trails series by Liz Gogerly and Rob Hunt Illustrated by Øivind Hovland
Watts ISBN 9781445158556 £12.99 Some children are fascinated by dinosaurs and this book does not disappoint. We are taken on a chronological journey that starts over 200 million years ago, and ends in the mass extinction event in the Cretaceous period when three quarters of all life on the planet was destroyed. At the start…
A Girl Called Justice by Elly Griffiths
Quercus ISBN: 978178650782 £6.99 Justice Jones has sleuthing written into her DNA. Her mother is the author of the Leslie Light crime novels and her father is a QC specialising in murder cases. After the death of her mother, Justice is packed off rather swiftly to boarding school, where even before she arrives at the gates, the…
Against All Gods by Maz Evans Illustrated by Helen Crawford-White and Aleksei Bitskoff
Chicken House ISBN: 9781911077008 £6.99 What an emotional rollercoaster! This is the fourth and final instalment of the “Who let the Gods out?” series by Maz Evans. Elliot’s epic journey has reached a point where he needs to make the hardest, most devastating decision anyone could bare to make: to save the world, or to save…
Pog by Pádraig Kenny
Chicken House books ISBN 9781911490395 £6.99 Penny, her brother David and their dad, move into a new house in the middle of a forest; their mother’s childhood home. Mum is apparently en route. Later we find out that mum has died in a road accident and when she does arrive it will be in an…
Planet Fashion by Natasha Slee Illustrated by Cynthia Kittler
Wide Eyed Editions ISBN 9781786031945 £14.99 A stylish, captivating book that explores the history of fashion over the last hundred years. We travel the world with our journey guides, a boy and a girl, and visit places such as Hollywood, Paris, Harlem, Canada, the French Riviera, London, Mexico, China and India. The glorious illustrations demand…
Insects, Bugs and other Invertebrates Prehistoric Life series by Clare Hibbert and Rudolf Farkas
Watts ISBN 9781445159140 £12.99 A fascinating introduction to insects, bugs and other invertebrates that lived on earth hundreds of millions of years ago. This book is easy to navigate. Blocks of text that are well laid out and clear, detailed illustrations. Language is simple but the information is not dumbed down. The fact file…
The Fire Maker by Guy Jones Illustrated by Helen Crawford White
Chicken House ISBN 9781911490678 £6.99 This story centres on the main character, Alex, who escapes from his tortured life by entering the world of magic, only to find out that it’s actually real! The pace is frantic, as Alex is chased through his home town by his former best friend! Luckily, this terrible event forces…
The Genius of the Anglo-Saxons – clever ideas and inventions from past civilisations by Izzi Howell
Franklin Watts ISBN 9781445161174 £12.99 This is the latest book in a series that covers all the options in the History KS2 Curriculum. And it does exactly what it says on the tin! The book is a clear, simple [but not simplistic] introduction to the Anglo-Saxons in England, from the time the Romans left until the arrival…
The Big Countdown: The Universe in Numbers by Paul Rockett
Franklin Watts. ISBN 9781445158211 £12.99 This book explores the world and the universe by looking at numbers and, at a time when numeracy is an important part of all subjects taught in schools, is a good addition to the classroom and school libraries. The book looks at popular topics such as rainforests, outer space, the…
The Bigfoot Files by Lindsay Eagar
Walker Press ISBN 9781406385434 £6.99 Miranda is a 12 year old girl who is an A grade student. Her mother, Kat, is obsessed with Bigfoot and shoots off on spur of the moment expeditions to find him, taking her daughter with her. This means Miranda misses school, ruining her perfect school record which she needs…
The Cosmic Atlas of Alfie Fleet by Martin Howard Illustrated by Chris Mould
Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192767509 £6.99 For readers who enjoy fast-moving, off-the-wall adventures well laced with the quirkiest of humour, this book will be a sure fire winner. Think of a cross between the Hitch-hiker’s Guide and Mr. Gum and you have a pretty good idea of the book’s approach and style. Characters such as…
The Demon Headmaster Mortal Danger by Gillian Cross
OUP ISBN 9780192766069 £6.99 I have always enjoyed The Demon Headmaster stories and this latest addition does not disappoint. Lizzie and Ethan’s school has a new head teacher. Ms Mountain is excellent, and wants children to follow their passions and enjoy learning. She holds an exciting Arts Explosion event, and there is a competition to…
The Dog who Saved the World by Ross Welford Harper
Collins Children’s Books www.harpercollins.co.uk ISBN 978 00 0 8256975 £6.99 This is a story about how the world nearly ends when threatened by a deadly virus; Canine Born Ebola or CBE, and how an eleven year old girl Georgie, her friend Ramzy and her dog Mr Mash eventually save the day. The method is difficult and daring involving…
The Great Animal Escapade by Jane Kerr Illustrated by Alexis Snell
Chicken House (www.chickenhousebooks.com) ISBN 9781911490340 £6.99 This is the second novel by the critically acclaimed author of ‘The Elephant Thief’. It is set in the same world as the first book, but you don’t need to have read the earlier book to enjoy this novel in its own right. This is a brilliantly original story…
The Story of Flight by Jacob Whitfield Illustrated by Us Now
Wren and Rook ISBN 9781526360229 £12.99 A large, stunningly beautiful book about flight that both informs and inspires. The story begins with myths and legends and moves on through ballooning, airships and the invention of the aeroplane, The First and Second World Wars, to autopilots and drones. Each phase is given a double page spread…
The Midnight Hour by Benjamin Read Illustrated by Laura Trinder
Chicken House ISBN 9781911490906 £6.99 Emily’s fairly normal life in London suddenly takes on an unexpected and scary change when she discovers that her parents are not quite what she thought. They are part of an alternative London, a London frozen in time at midnight and peopled by a never-ending cast of monsters. First her…
The Truth about Martians by Melissa Savage
Chicken House (www.chickenhousebooks.com) ISBN 9781911490821 £6.99 It is New Mexico in 1947 and rumours abound that a UFO has crash landed in the vicinity. Despite assurances from the military that there is nothing to see, Milo, Dibs and their friends can’t resist investigating for themselves. Milo is spurred on further by hearing a voice apparently…
We’re All Equal by Georgia Amson-Bradshaw Illustrated by David Broadbent
Franklin Watts ISBN 9781445163628 £12.99 This title is part of the I’m a Global Citizen series published by Franklin Watts. It begins by defining equality, looks at equality around the world and also considers gender, race, ethnicity and ability inequality. There is also a double-page spread devoted to male / female stereotypes In addition to the factual…
Moonstruck! Poems about our Moon Edited by Roger Stevens. Illustrated by Ed Boxall
Otter-Barry ISBN: 9781910959657. £6.99 What a memorable way to mark the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing by putting together such an enjoyable anthology of moon themed poems. Writers include Valerie Bloom, Brian Moses, James Carter, Tony Mitton and Roger Stevens (many are National Poetry Day Ambassadors), but also Shelley, Bronte, Longfellow and even…
Peril en Pointe Swan House Ballet School Mystery by Helen Lipscombe
Chicken House ISBN: 9781910655795 £6.99 Milly is a young ballerina who is desperate to dance as well as her mum, but she makes mistakes in an important performance. Her mum disappears. Six months later, Milly is surprised to receive an invitation to join Swan House School of Ballet. Once she is there, she discovers it…
Against All Gods by Maz Evans Illustrated by Helen Crawford-White and Aleksei Bitskof
Chicken House ISBN: 9781910655795 £6.99 Milly is a young ballerina who is desperate to dance as well as her mum, but she makes mistakes in an important performance. Her mum disappears. Six months later, Milly is surprised to receive an invitation to join Swan House School of Ballet. Once she is there, she discovers it…
Grandma Dangerous and the Egg of Glory by Kita Mitchell Illustrated by Nathan Reed
Orchard Books Hachette Children’s Books (www.hachettechildrens.co.uk) ISBN 9781408355503 £6.99 This is a fast-paced, energetic and funny story which hooks you from the first page. Told from the point of view of the young hero of the piece, Ollie, it is a tale which will appeal to lots of KS2 readers. Those who are fans…
The House of Light by Julia Green Illustrated by Helen Crawford-White
OUP ISBN 978019277156 £6.99 Bonnie and her grandfather live a somewhat bleak existence because of the wild and rugged coastline that they inhabit and the somewhat dystopian regime that they live under. There appears to have been a major ecological disaster that had affected the seas as well as the agricultural and energy capacity of…
The Steam Whistle Theatre Company by Vivian French Illustrated by Hannah Peck
Walker Books ISBN: 9781406376319 £6.99 We are, “a company of inspiring thespians bringing stirring drama, heart-rending tragedy, and extraordinary excitement,” expounds Pa, as he drags his family out of London and to the unchartered lands of Victorian Northern England. The story tells of the family’s fluctuating drive for success whilst treading the boards. It also follows…
Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen by Geraldine McCaughrean. Illustrated by Laura Barrett
Orchard Books ISBN: 9781408352342 £12.99 This is another skilful retelling of one of Andersen’s best loved tales, cleverly maintaining the magic of the original, while also making it more accessible to a new generation of readers. The archetypal theme of good versus evil is explored here through Gerda’s commitment to finding her beloved friend Kai…
Our Little Inventor written and illustrated by Sher Rill Ng
Allen &Unwin ISBN: 9781911631309 £11.99 At a time when air pollution is an important global topic this beautifully illustrated picture book for young children, will enhance the learning of geography of pollution as well as being a general book of interest to primary school children. Sustainability and the transformation of the global environmental conditions are…
Encyclopedia of Animals by Jules Howard Illustrated by Jarom Vogel
Wide Eyed Editions ISBN 9781786034601 £14.99 An attractive introduction to the diversity of the animal world. Information on over 500 creatures is well presented with key facts from a variety of national history experts and detailed illustrations. This reference book celebrates invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, and shares some of their secrets. It…
On Planet Earth by Paul Mason Illustrated by Mark Ruffle
Wayland ISBN 9781526305763 £12.99 This is an addition to ‘The Cause, Effect and Chaos’ series of books which explore the relationships between things, actions and reactions, what can go wrong and the chaos that might occur. This book for KS2 pupils allows them to learn about the Planet Earth through double page spreads on topics…
Found! Iron Age by Moira Butterfield
Franklin Watts ISBN 9781445153032 £8.99 This book is a gem. It introduces the reader to 13 important finds that throw light on the Iron Age. The presentation is excellent with a good balance of maps, text and pictures. Facts and language are pitched at the right level for 9 – 11 year olds. As well…
Pollution (Ecographics series) by Izzi Howell
Franklin Watts ISBN 978144516600-1 £12.99 This book is for children aged 9 to 11 years old and provides a very useful addition to the Ecographics series of books. As pollution affects every part of the globe, from the deep oceans to the remote deserts, this is a very hot topic for the young as the…
Refugees by Brian Bilston Illustrated by José Sanabria
Palazzo ISBN 978178675072351699 £10.99 Refugees is a powerful poem about an emotive subject. Brian Bilston is a writer who has shared poetry on social media, and he has been described as “the Poet Laureate of Twitter”. This poem is very clever in that it can be read forwards and backwards. The different readings reflect opposing…
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,…
Kites by Simon Mole Illustrated by Oamul Lu
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781786035561 £11.99 The sky is full of kites in Fivehills, to where David and his parents have just moved. David does not have one and the things he does have – books and toys – just don’t look quite right in the new house. Deciding to build his own kite,…
Neil Armstrong by Alex Woolf Illustrated by Luisa Uribe, George Ermos and Nina Jones
Stripes ISBN 9781788951562 £6.99 This year sees the 50th anniversary of man landing on the Moon. There has been a plethora of books about this event, but this one looks particularly at the life of Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on the lunar surface. It covers the whole of his young life and…
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens Retold by Tony Mitton Illustrated by Mike Redman
Hachette ISBN: 9781408351727 £6.99 I cannot help but feel that another rewriting of A Christmas Carol is a rather ambitious project both in terms of committing absolute heresy towards what most would see as an undisputed ‘classic’ but also in that it has been done so many times before. It was hence with some reservations…
The Secret of the Tattered Shoes by Jackie Morris. Illustrated by Ehsan Abdollahi
Tiny Owl ISBN:9781910328378. £12.99 Retellings of traditional tales are becoming increasingly popular. Here Grimm’s Twelve Dancing Princesses has been given a new title, (perhaps not to give the game away), and a modified ending. The tale itself, in the hands of the acclaimed author Jackie Morris, retains all of its magic and appeal. The text is…
Quill Soup by Alan Durant Illustrated by Dale Blankenaar
Tiny Owl ISBN: 9781910328408 £12.99 This is the third of Tiny Owl’s ‘One Story, Many Voices’ series, which sets out to tell different versions of well-known stories, pairing writers and illustrators from different cultural backgrounds to great effect. Quill Soup is the African version of the perhaps better-known Stone Soup. In this version, Noko the porcupine…
Kids Fight Plastic by Martin Dorey Illustrated by Tim Wesson
Walker Books Ltd ISBN: 9781406390650 £7.99 This is a very timely book written by Martin Dorey, (Founder of the ‘Global Beach Cleaning Movement’), as plastic has become a very big issue and children need to be fully empowered to make a difference to the 21st Century World. The book is full of two minute missions…
This Drop of Water. A Look at the Water Cycle by Anna Claybourne, Illustrated by Sally Garland
Franklin Watts ISBN: 9781445163659 £13.99 This delightful book for KS1 children has double page spreads on water and is very well illustrated. It could be read to the children by the teacher as an introduction to a topic on water and the water cycle or it could be used by children to research ideas about…
The Queen’s Lift-Off written and illustrated by Steve Antony
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444934229 £6.99 This is fourth in the ‘Queen’ collection of picture books by author/illustrator Steve Antony, following The Queen’s Hat, The Queen’s Handbag and The Queen’s Present. Through sparse, but well-chosen text, we follow the Queen’s unexpected trip through the solar system, until she is sucked into a black hole. Fortunately, she is rescued…
The Mud Monster by Jonnie Wild Illustrated by Brita Granstrom
Otter Barry Books ISBN 1910959862978 £6.99 This is the second collaboration between this author and illustrator. It highlights a group of African animals featuring five flamingos and their wildlife friends. The jolly cast of characters are all fearful of the sinister Mud Monster. Everyone “knew it was huge, and they knew it was horrible” but…
The Day Henry Met a Dog written and illustrated by Gilly
O’Brien Press ISBN 978184719999 £7.99 This bright eye-catching picture book for children aged 4-7 years is based on the TV series “The Day Henry Met…” As the title suggests in this story Henry meets a dog who is saddened by the fact she does not have a best friend. The dog’s simple description of what…
Red and the City written and illustrated by Marie Voigt
OUP. ISBN 978019276774-5 £11.99 The stark black, white and red cover leaves us in no doubt that this is yet another version of Little Red Riding Hood. Who would have thought there could still be ways of using this traditional tale? Well, Marie Voigt has succeeded in bringing young Red right up to date. Walking…
Kitten Rescue by Lucy Daniels
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408354148 £4.99 This is the first book in the relaunch of the bestselling Animal Ark series. Amelia’s parents have divorced and she is sad that she and her Mum have left their flat in York and are moving in with Gran. She worries about what it will be like in Welford. Will…
Dogs in Space: The Amazing True Story of Belka and Strelka, Vix Southgate, illustrated by Iris Deppe
Wren and Rook ISBN 978-1526360700 £6.99 This is a fascinating true story. In 1960 two stray dogs were handpicked from the streets of Moscow to become space pioneers. Belka and Strelka followed a training regime to ensure they were suitable for their mission. They practised rocket simulations and wore spacesuits. Eventually they were launched into…
The World of the Whale by Smriti Prasadam-Halls Illustrated by Jonathan Woodward
Wren and Rook, ISBN 9781526360649 £12.99 The lives of whales have proved fascinating for young people for as long as I can remember and the subject has also been a staple of the curriculum. This new title is a welcome addition to the books on the subject and is aimed at KS1. The book covers…
Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae Illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees
Hachette Children’s Group (www.hachettechildrens.co.uk) ISBN 9781408354414 £6.99 Thank goodness the opportunity for a 20 year anniversary edition has brought this wonderful book back into prominence and may introduce it to new generations. Ostensibly, this narrative – written in rhyming verse – tells of Gerald, whose natural giraffe shape makes him feel very awkward and clumsy…
The Perfect Sofa written and Illustrated by Fifi Kuo
Boxer Books Ltd. ISBN 9781910716410 £11.99 A very simple story of shopping for a new sofa told in 24 double page spreads! Panda and Penguin seem to be living in domestic bliss together except for one thing – their sofa is too old. With rips and springs poking out they decide it’s time to go…
Lubna and Pebble by Wendy Meddour Illustrated by Daniel Egnéus
OUP ISBN 978019 2771940 £10.62 Lubna and her father arrive by boat at a refugee settlement – a “World of Tents” .She picks up a pebble from the beach and draws a happy face on it. The Pebble becomes her friend, and she talks to it about her life. Then she befriends a young boy…
Will You Help Me Fall Asleep? by Anna Kang. Illustrator Christopher Weyant
Hachette ISBN 9781444926446 £12.99 Will You Help Me Fall Asleep? describes itself as a calming bedtime story. There is a little reference towards the end of taking deep breaths and thinking about your happy place but beyond this I don’t see it as any more calming than any other bedtime story. It tells the story…
The (Fierce) Little Grey Mouse written and illustrated by Chantal Bourgonje
Hubble and Hattie ISBN 9781787113121 £6.99 Little Grey Mouse is determined to be fierce. He starts a regime of exercises, eating porridge and drinking milk. He positions himself high in a tree and learns to roar. His friends are scared and run away. Little Grey Mouse had not anticipate this, and he soon realises the…
An ABC of Equality by Chana Ginelle Ewing Illustrated by Paulina Morgan
Frances Lincoln ISBN: 9781786 037411 £9.99 This book provides a bold attempt to introduce a myriad of potentially baffling terminology around the central theme of equality to very young readers. Its author is women and identity advocate and entrepreneur Chana Ginelle Ewing who is also founder of a leading women’s empowerment platform focussing on the stories…
The Little Fir Tree by Christopher Corr
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN 9781786036629 £11.99 This book is based on the Hans Christian Andersen story. A beautiful fir tree living in the depth of the forest longs to see the world. He is cut down and taken to a town for Christmas when he is very happy. But, after Christmas, the tree is…
Fair Shares by Pippa Goodhart. Illustrated by Anna Dohert
Tiny Owl ISBN: 9871910328507 £6.99 There can’t be many school days which pass without a child saying, “It’s not fair!” Of course, what they want is for everyone to be treated in exactly the same way, which isn’t always the fairest thing to do – as this book illustrates so beautifully. Neither Hare nor…
A Planet Full of Plastic written and illustrated Neal Clayton
Wren and Rook ISBN 9781526361738 £14.99 This very topical non- fiction picture book is perfect for readers of primary school age who want to help protect the environment. The environmental news over the past year has been full of the problems caused by plastic. This book explains where plastic comes from, and why it causes…
Waiting for Wolf written and illustrated by Sandra Dieckmann
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 978144494658 £12.99 Fox and Wolf are good friends and life seems special when they are together. Wolf asks Fox to promise she will remember the perfect day they have just shared, mysteriously also telling Fox that tomorrow he will be ‘starlight.’ What does he mean? The next day Fox cannot find…
Mucky Minibeasts Worms by Hannah Tolson and Susie Williams
Wayland ISBN 9781526307354 £12.99 A fascinating book that introduces young readers to the wonderful world of worms. Text and illustrations merge perfectly in this well designed book. The language is simple but facts are not dumbed down and the information is perfectly suited to the age group. Did you know that in a field there…
The (Fierce) Little Grey Mouse written and illustrated by Chantal Bourgonje
Hubble and Hattie ISBN 9781787113121 £6.99 Little Grey Mouse is determined to be fierce. He starts a regime of exercises, eating porridge and drinking milk. He positions himself high in a tree and learns to roar. His friends are scared and run away. Little Grey Mouse had not anticipate this, and he soon realises the…
Winter Sleep A Hibernation Story by Sean Taylor and Alex Morss Illustrated by Cinyee Chiu
Words and pictures ISBN 9780711242838 £12.99 A charming lyrical informative book. We share winter walks with a child and Granny Sylvie, learning how the Earth prepares for winter and hibernating animals. Cutaway scenes reveal what is happening out of sight. Granny explains how creatures adapt to survive in winter, and what will happen when the…
The Boy Who Loved Everyone by Jane Porter Illustrated by Maisie Paradise Shearring
Walker ISBN: 9781406380644 £12.99 “I love you” Dimitri tells everyone at nursery school, the tree, ants, the dinner lady, the guinea pig and the teacher. No one says it back to him. As he walks home with his mum he says it to an old man, who resents being called old. Dimitri worries about all…
Here comes Lolo written and illustrated by Niki Daly
Otter Barry books ISBN 9781910959770 £6.99 This short chapter book, from highly acclaimed South African author/illustrator Niki Daly, contains four short stories about a young girl called Lolo who lives with her Mama and Gogo (grandmother). Within the stories we find her desperate for a coveted green star for reading, upset when the hat she…
Fiddle Dee Dee! by Dianne Hofmeyr Illustrated by Piet Grobler
Otter Barry books ISBN 978191059756 £11.99 When Monkey and Hyena’s dispute over a musical bow reaches Lion, the solution he comes up with is to keep the bow for himself. It takes all Monkey’s cunning to ensure the bow becomes his to keep. Requesting the chance to play the bow one last time, Monkey plays…
This Book Just Stole My Cat! written and illustrated by Richard Byrne
OUP ISBN 9780192767127 £11.99 This will be a familiar format to readers who have enjoyed Byrne’s previous book “This Book Just Ate My Dog”. It features Ben out playing with his cat when – you’ve guessed it – the cat half disappears into the centre fold of the book itself. This quirky illustration will appeal…
Lots of Frogs by Howard Calvert Illustrated by Claudia Boldt
Hodder Children’s Books. ISBN 9781444939644 £12.99 This fun-filled tale with its twist ending is, as the title suggests, about “Lots of Frogs.” Tommy decides to take into his show-and -tell lesson the proverbial box of frogs. Determined to keep the all singing, dancing, jumping frogs under control, he squeezes the box tightly while his classmates…
Toby and The Tricky Things by Lou Peacock Illustrated by Christine Pym
Nosy Crow. ISBN 9781788002653 £11.99 A warm family tale that will resonate with mums and children everywhere. Mrs Elephant is always telling Toby that he is her ‘big boy’, now that baby sister Iris has come along. Whilst Toby relishes his growing independence and finds success with pouring his own milk and reading his own…
Chatterbox Bear written and illustrated by Pippa Curnick
Hodder Children’s Books. ISBN 9781444944129 £6.99 Paperback. ISBN 9781444944112 £12.99 Hardback. Gary the bear is a chatterbox, but he can be irritating and very few bears want to listen. He sets sail to find new friends and arrives on an island where the birds don’t understand him. Eventually Dot the bird finds a way to communicate that…
Cyril the Lonely Cloud by Tim Hopgood
Oxford University Press ISBN: 9780192767585 £11.99 Poor Cyril the cloud! No one is ever pleased to see him, as he spoils everyone’s fun, and makes everything grey and sad. Cyril drifts far and wide, looking for a friendly face. Eventually he discovers a new land where everything is baking hot. Cyril drifts across, providing shade.…
Dog in Boots written and illustrated by Paula Metcalf
OUP. ISBN 9780192758842 £6.99 A lovely quirky, humorous story to enjoy reading aloud and reading again. Phillip, a dachshund has a crush on his neighbour Penelope, but she appears to be very tall and he doesn’t think she will be interested in a short, small dog. The story charts the course of this doggy romance…
Everybunny Dream written and illustrated by Ellie Sandall
Hodder ISBN 9781444933864 £12.99 A charming book. The text is lyrical and rhyming. Beautiful drawings of rabbits fill the pages. At the end of a busy day the rabbits don pyjamas, prepare for bed and snuggle. After a gentle joke, bunnies and foxes settle and dream. A perfect bedtime story that is ideal for sharing.…
Going to the Volcano by Andy Stanton. Illustrated by Miguel Ordonez.
Hodder ISBN 9781444933451 £6.99 This is a totally silly funny story that has Jane-O and Dwayne-O going to see a volcano! Bold cartoon like brightly coloured illustrations take the reader from spread to spread. The plot follows the two on their madcap journey to the volcano – where every line of text is forced in…
The New Baby and Me by Christine Kidney. Illustrated by Hoda Haddadi.
Tiny Owl. ISBN 9781910328187 £12.99 A story about five brothers waiting for the arrival of a new baby in their family. The brothers are expecting another brother and are surprised when the new baby turns out to be a girl, leading them to wonder what she will be like, will enjoy doing and will grow…
Hugless Douglas and the Baby Birds by David Melling
Hodder ISBN 9781444925104 £12.99 Another fabulous Hugless Douglas book. Douglas is busy with his spring collection when a nest of eggs comes crashing down. Douglas says he will look after them while Swoopy Bird builds a new home. Douglas does his best but it is not an easy task. Bunnies help to hug the eggs.…
Moon River Based on the song by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini. Illustrations by Tim Hopgood
Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192746399 £12.99 If you know Mancini’s Moon River it is impossible to read this as a text without drifting off into song yourself but that just makes for a more magical, shared experience. The book comes with a singalong CD so the tuneless amongst us have no excuse not to join…
When the Crocodiles Came to Town written and illustrated by Magda Brol
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408350874 £12.99 The crocodiles have arrived in Dullsville, the world’s most boring town. They did not fit in, and made no attempt to fit in. They ignored the rules and even the mayor was irritated by them. On market day they offered everyone ice cream with strawberry sauce, but the people of…
The Little Green Hen written and illustrated by Alison Murray
Orchard Books ISBN 978-1408340219 £6.99 A charming retelling of a traditional tale. Little Green Hen lives on top of a hill, inside an old apple tree. She looks after the tree and sows its seeds so more trees grow. She asks some animals to help her with the upkeep of the orchard. Dog, sparrow and…
The Colour of Happy by Laura Baker Illustrated by Angie Rozelaar
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN: 9781444939682 £6.99 Paperback. ISBN: 9781444939675 £12.99 Hardback A beautiful picture book that explores a range of feelings. The rhyming text guides the reader through a variety of emotions experienced by a young boy and his dog and a dandelion clock. The use of colour and the illustrations are excellent at conveying…
The Blue Balloon by Mick Inkpen
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN: 9781444922561 £6.99 It is 30 years since Kipper first appeared in public. To mark the occasion Hodder has issued a new edition of this popular classic, which has lost none of its appeal. To quote Mick Inkpen “The success of the book confirmed for me what we all understand intuitively; that…
The Big Red Rock written and illustrated by Jess Stockham
Child’s Play (International) Ltd ISBN 978-1786280022 £6.99 This comic tale is one to be enjoyed as a read aloud to your child and I am sure that they will want to return to this again and again. It offers some key points for discussion, tapping into young children’s developing ability to see something from another perspective.…
The Big Race written and illustrated by David Barrow
Hodder ISBN: 9781444929294 £6.99 This story is tremendous fun. A Big Race is taking place, and some strong animals are taking part, including a crocodile, a cheetah, a buffalo and an African hoopoe. Aardvark is only small but she is determined to take part and give it her best shot, even though other animals tell…
Good Night Panda written and illustrated by Steve Anthony
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444927894 £6.99 This gentle picture book explains to young children the importance of night time rituals. If you have a toddler or infant who is resistant to brushing their teeth, having a bath, changing into pyjamas, or avoiding going to bed altogether, this is a great one to share! With sly comic…
Oi Duck-Billed Platypus! by Kes Gray Illustrated by Jim Field
Hodder Children’s Books. ISBN 9781444-937329 £12.99 The Gray/Field partnership have already delighted young readers with Oi Frog!, Oi Dog! and Oi Cat! where animals are given a rhyming item on which to sit, which is much funnier than would first appear. This new title immediately alerts us to something different – Duck-Billed Platypus? Whatever rhymes with that? Or indeed…
Frockodile by Jeanne Willis Illustrated by Stephanie Laberis
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444908244 £6.99 Cliff is a boy crocodile who finds “a slinky frock, stiletto heels and a string of pearls”. He wants to wear them, but is worried about how his friends and his fierce “motor-biking baddy”dad will react. When the hyenas laugh at him, Cliff pretends he is rehearsing for a…
Happy To Be Me by Emma Dodd
Hachette Children’s Books ISBN 9781408355701 £6.99 This book for early years is a wonderful introduction to a ‘healthy, happy me’ topic as it celebrates being body-positive and learning to love all the things that make you wonderfully unique. With beautifully bright and bold illustrations, the book will really appeal to young children. Each picture celebrates another…
Here Comes Stinkbug! by Tohby Riddle
Allen and Unwin ISBN 9781760523527 £11.99 Stinkbug is true to his name. Sometimes his stink is so powerful that other insects move away from him. Stinkbug starts to worry about his smell and not fitting in. Then he is charmed by the spider, until he starts to suspect an ulterior motive. He repels spider by…
Humperdink Our Elephant Friend by Sean Taylor Illustrated by Claire Alexander
Words and pictures ISBN 9781786035424 £11.99 A charming story with gentle illustrations and an important message. Humperdink the baby elephant joins the playgroup. He is friendly and wants to fit in, but he is not cut out for the sort of games the children play such as hide-and-seek, hairdressing and dressing up. Humperdink breaks the…
Meet The Penguins written and illustrated by Mike Brownlow
OUP ISBN 9780192768674 £6.99 Two delightfully quirky depictions of penguins arrive on Page 1 with their luggage and proceed to ask a number of animals, “Please, can we play?”. Unfortunately, despite all the fun activities they see taking place, the answer is always negative. I loved the extra layer of meaning in each of the animals’…
Once Upon A Unicorn Horn written and illustrated by Beatrice Blue
Frances Lincoln ISBN: 9781786035882 £12.99 First Editions is a new sub-imprint of Frances Lincoln Books showcasing debut texts. This is the first book by Beatrice Blue, a freelance artist living in Montreal, which sets out to explain how unicorns got their horns. The story resonates with kindness and a willingness to go the extra mile…
The Way Home For Wolf by Rachel Bright Illustrated by Jim Field
Orchard ISBN 9781408349212 £6.99 Set in the snowy Arctic, Wilf is a brave wolf cub. He is spirited and independent. When the wolf pack decides to move, Wilf is keen to lead the pack. The wolves say he will one day, but choose an elder for the task. As the journey gets tough, young Wilf…
The Way Home For Wolf by Rachel Bright Illustrated by Jim Field
Orchard ISBN 9781408349212 £6.99 Set in the snowy Arctic, Wilf is a brave wolf cub. He is spirited and independent. When the wolf pack decides to move, Wilf is keen to lead the pack. The wolves say he will one day, but choose an elder for the task. As the journey gets tough, young Wilf…
There’s a Spider in my Soup written and illustrated by Megan Brewis
OUP ISBN 9780192766861 £6.99 Some picture books have been credited largely for humour while others have a distinct message. This book has both for young children. It is a book to be read aloud and has the important message that spiders are to be looked after and that they should not be killed. The fun pictures…
There’s a Spider in my Soup written and illustrated by Megan Brewis
OUP ISBN 9780192766861 £6.99 Some picture books have been credited largely for humour while others have a distinct message. This book has both for young children. It is a book to be read aloud and has the important message that spiders are to be looked after and that they should not be killed. The fun pictures…
The Christmas Unicorn by Anna Currey
OUP ISBN: 9780192772091 £6.99 Originally published in 2006, this warm, sensitive story. is set a few days before Christmas. Milly and her Mum are staying at Grandpa’s house. Dad is going to join them as soon as he can. Milly has no friends and feels a bit down, when Florian, a unicorn appears. Milly and…
The Lucky, Lucky Leaf by David Hoskins Illustrated by Chantal Bourgonje
Hubble and Hattie ISBN 9781787113060 £6.99 A group of animal friends are having fun walking in the woods catching falling leaves for luck. This is not as easy as it seems. As Kay explains, leaves have got “minds of their own!” Nim says “you’ve got to out-think them.” Nim is an attractive, enthusiastic character that…
Baz and Benz by Heidi McKinnon
Allen and Unwin Children’s Books ISBN 9781911631415 £11.99 Baz and Benz are owls who explore the boundaries of friendship. Baz asks Benz if they would still be the best of friends if he was purple with spots. He goes on to offer a series of options that push boundaries and test Benz’ strength of feeling.…
The Little House That Didn’t Have a Home by Neil Sullivan Illustrated by Steve Burke
Hubble and Hattie ISBN 9781787113077 £7.99 A charming book about a House that does not have a place to live. He embarks on an epic journey to find the right place, but he is not welcomed by everyone. The Little House shows tenacity and perseverance. Eventually he finds exactly the right spot. The text is…
The Tree That’s Meant To Be written and illustrated by Yuval Zommer
Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192769800 £12.99 A fir tree is too small and irregular to be chosen as a Christmas tree. He is quite upset and scared but, as events unfold, he finds friends in forest creatures who dress the tree in a natural way. The lyrical story celebrates the true meaning of Christmas and…
Red Red Red written and illustrated by Polly Dunbar
Walker Books ISBN: 9781406376968 £12.99 This is the story of a tantrum. After falling trying to reach the biscuit jar, discovering his sock is coming off and his pants are twisted, there is only one outcome for this toddler as the red mist descends- a roaring, head-banging meltdown! Luckily Mum suggests counting to ten along…
What’s That Noise? written and illustrated by Naomi Howarth
Otter-Barry Books ISBN 9781910959701 £11.99 Magnus the seal is an enchanting character. He hears strange noises and tries to work out what is causing them. He meets with hare, owl, fox, polar bear, walrus and shrimps. Eventually the puzzle is solved, with much hilarity. The artwork is absolutely glorious. Evocative illustrations recreate the atmosphere of…
Lula and the Sea Monster written and illustrated by Alex Latimer
OUP ISBN 978019275952-8 £6.99 This story book involves Lula having a special place which she is in danger of losing, as the family have had to sell their house to make way for a new road. At a time when we hear often how people are having to move because of new developments, this picture book allows…
Mannie and the Long Brave Day by Martine Murray Illustrated by Sally Rippin
Allen and Unwin ISBN 9781911631439 £6.99 When Mannie decides to go on an adventure, she takes her doll, Strawberry Luca, and toy elephant, Lilliput, with her as well as a special box full of secret things. As they go on their travels different things appear from the box – sparkly shoes for Strawberry Luca, an…
Goodbye House, Hello House by Margaret Wild Illustrated by Ann James
Allen and Unwin ISBN 9781911631514 £12.99 A sensitive book showing a young child saying farewell to all the fun activities she has enjoyed in his country home. She says goodbye to each room and changes the writing on the wall from “Emma lives here” to “Emma lived here”. Then she travels to her new house…
Jazz Dog written and illustrated by Marie Voigt
OUP ISBN 9780192766885 £11.99 An attractive book with detailed illustrations. Cats and dogs live in a divided world. There is dog music for POWERFUL Rock Dogs, and cat music for the Jazz Cats. The two are very separate. One dog is different, and doesn’t fit in. Jazz Dog is hooked on cat jazz! Even though…
Red Cherry Red by Jackie Kay Illustrated by Rob Ryan
Bloomsbury ISBN 9781526614841 £8.99 This is a wonderful collection of poetry from the award winning Scottish poet Jackie Kay. The poems are reflective of people’s hopes and dreams as well as their everyday life. They range from the very poignant such as “Mrs Dungeon Brae” about an old lady living, and eventually dying alone, to…
Jane Austen’s Emma Awesomely Austen by Katy Birchall Illustrated by Églantine Ceulemans
Hodder ISBN 9781444950656 £9.99 Katy Birchall is a Jane Austen fan and her retelling of this story makes it accessible and appealing to children aged 8+. Emma Woodhouse is an intelligent rich woman who does not want to be married. She lives at Hartfield House in Highbury village and likes matchmaking. Mr Knightley is critical…
Spylark by Danny Rurlander
Chicken House ISBN 978191490708 £6.99 Tom is a boy who lives in the Lake District. He has struggled with mobility since an accident. With Spylark, his drone, he can rise high and explore his homeland. Suddenly he discovers a terrorist plot, but he lacks proof and fears no one will believe him. At times, Tom…
Prehistoric Creatures of the Order The Beauty of Order in the Prehistoric World by Jules Howard Illustrated by Kelsey Oseid
Templar Books ISBN 9781787413443 £16.99 A detailed.introduction to prehistoric creatures of the same taxonomic order. We are shown families of animals that share important evolutionary traits. Did you know that the Prionosuchus plummeri was one of the largest and most ferocious of the temnospondyli? This aquatic predator would easily dwarf a saltwater crocodile. Or that…
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell Illustrated by Christian Birmingham
Palazzo ISBN: 9781786750808 £16.99 Palazzo has published a superb edition of Black Beauty. The introduction provides significant details about Anna Sewell’s life. As a result of a childhood injury, she could not walk, but was able to drive a horse-drawn carriage. She became interested in the way horses were treated in Victorian England. Indeed the…
A Postcard to Ollis by Ingunn Thon Illustrated by Nora Brech Translated by Siân Mackie
Wacky Bee ISBN 9781999903343 £6.99 An enjoyable book from Norway with an engaging central character who loves inventing. Ollis was named after five women who played important roles in Norwegian history. Her life is in turmoil. Mum’s new boyfriend, Einar, has moved in, and she has a new baby brother. Gro, her best friend, is…
World War Two. The Story Behind the War that Divided the World Nick Hunter
Bloomsbury ISBN 9781526605580 £8.99 This is an excellent introduction to World War Two. The outbreak of war in 1939 is carefully put into context, and major events throughout the world from 1939-1945 are covered in an interesting and readable way. The text is pitched at just the right level for upper KS2, and each page…
What Is Politics? Why Should We Care? And Other Big Questions by Michael Rosen and Annemarie Young
Wayland ISBN 9781526311139 £13.99 Tackling hugely important elements that affect all of us, this timely book explains politics in the broadest sense, explaining how it affects our everyday lives, whether we think we are political or not. It presents various and diverse information before inviting our responses on such topics as what politics means to…
When We Became Humans by Michael Bright, illustrated by Hannah Bailey
Quarto Publishing ISBN:9781786038869 £12.99 What a great idea – to put evolution into context and follow the journey from primate fossils to Homo Sapiens. No stone unturned, so to speak, and brilliantly brought to life by vivid illustrations all closely based on fossilised remains. Every branch of evolution, from Purgatorius, a small rat-like animal that…
Mark Anchovy by William Goldsmith
Piccadilly Press ISBN 978184128613 £6.99 This is the very cheesy story of Mark Anchovy, pizza delivery boy turned detective; nobly assisted by Princess Skewer. [Yes, you’ve guessed it – she works in a kebab shop!] They are part of the Golden Spatula League – an international group of child food detectives, and are hot on…
Trailblazers: Jane Goodall A Life With Chimps by Anita Ganeri Illustrated by Luisa Uribe, George Ermos and Keiron Ward
Stripes Publishing ISBN: 9781788951579 £6.99 I loved this book. Jane Goodall is a trailblazer and this biography tells her story and gives interesting insights into her life Jane’s success is all the more remarkable as she was unqualified and Jane’s desire to get in amongst the chimps challenged the approach of the male-dominated scientific research at…
The Rocking Book of Rocks by Amy Bell and Florence Bullough Illustrated by Anna Alanka
Wide Eyed Editions. ISBN 9781786038722 £12.99 The scientific study of rocks is an essential part of geology, and this book, designed for 6 to 12 year olds, is a superb and exciting introduction to the importance and characteristics of rocks, minerals and gems and where and how they are formed. With stunning illustrations by Anna…
Strange But True 10 of the World’s Greatest Mysteries Explained by Kathryn Hulick Illustrated by Gordy Wright
Frances Lincoln ISBN: 9781786037855 £14.99 I am a fan of this stimulating book. The introduction encourages us to think about the mysteries presented, to check the sources and question the evidence. Using scientific reasoning and critical thinking, readers are encouraged to reach their own conclusions. Information is presented in a methodical way on a range…
Paralympic Power by Paul Mason
Wayland ISBN 9781526308078 £13.99 An attractive, well-timed book that celebrates the Paralympics. Pages are well designed with a good balance of information and illustrations. The achievements of Paralympians past and present are spotlighted, and interviews give fascinating insights into different role models, such as Brian McKeever who does not keep count of how many medals…
What is Mental Health? Where Does It Come From? And other Big Questions by Dr Lucy Maddox
Wayland ISBN 9781526311139 £13.99 An excellent title in the “And Other Big Questions” series. Mental health is an important area and this book explains what mental health is. Dr Lucy Maddox is a consultant clinical psychologist and writer and her experience with young people makes her the ideal author for this book. The approach is…
Cyborg Cat and the Night Spider by Ade Adepitan Illustrated by Carl Pearce
Piccadilly Press ISBN 9781787414037 £5.99 This is the second book in a series by author and Paralympian Ade Adepitan. Depicting the fictional life of young teenager Ade and his friends, this is a story that offers something for everyone. A fantastically fun read, it will appeal to a wide range of young people who recognise…
Trailblazers Beyoncé ‘Queen of the Spotlight’ by Ebony Joy Wilkins Illustrated by Rachel Sanson
Stripes Publishing ISBN:9781788952163 £6.99 What a wonderful and inspiring read this book is – it really does persuade children, of Upper KS 2, to try and succeed in life, and that is this book’s direct message. This particular biography is about the famous singer and personality, Beyoncé; however, there is a whole series of books…
A Year of Nature Poems by Joseph Coelho. Illustrated by Kelly Louise Judd
Wide Eyed Editions ISBN: 978071124 9943 £6.99 Each month is represented here by a poem on an illustrated double-page spread prefaced with a short introduction about some aspect of nature. With this structure and the collection’s title, the reader might expect twelve straightforward poems about key aspects of the natural world in each month. Instead we…
Amundsen’s Way The Race to the South Pole by Joanna Grochowicz Illustrated by Sarah Lippett
Allen and Unwin ISBN 9781911631408 £7.99 This story, from the author of the highly acclaimed ‘Into the White’, is another masterpiece of narrative non fiction. Using Roald Amundsen’s South Polar conquest, Joanna has written a gripping account of how a man will stop at nothing to reach his goal of reaching the South Pole. Joanna…
Women in Art 50 Fearless Creatives Who Inspired the World written and illustrated by Rachel Ignotofsky
Wren and Rook ISBN: 9780399580437 £12.99 Rachel Ignotofsky is a New York Times bestselling author, illustrator, and designer. She has produced a fantastic book that profiles 50 pioneering female artists. The women are from a wide range of times and cultures and work in different mediums. Some are well-known, like Georgia O’Keeffe, Beatrix Potter and…
The International Yeti Collective by Paul Mason Illustrated by Katy Riddell
Stripes Books ISBN: 9781788950848 £6.99 A journey of discovery for both yeti and human; this trial of trust for both is so consistent with certain current global ecological themes. I, (he who is jealous of Ella), would love to ride around the Himalayas charged with taking photographs of wildlife whilst perhaps seeking a yeti, and…
Great Women Who Saved The Planet by Kate Pankhurst
Bloomsbury Children’s Books ISBN: 9781408899298 £6.99 This is the fourth in a fantastic series of books about inspirational women, often pioneers in their field, who have worked tirelessly to protect some precious aspect of the natural environment. Each double-page spread contains biographical and career highlights along with colourful cartoon illustrations, characters with speech bubbles, notes…
Tiger Heart by Penny Chrimes Illustrated by Levente Szabo
Orion ISBN 978151007564 £7.99 Fly has never known a life other than the orphanage and being a chimney sweep’s assistant, but one day she decides to escape by climbing down a chimney. Unfortunately what she discovers seems even worse than her previous life, because she ends up in a room with a rather large tiger.…
The Dictionary of Difficult Words by Jane Solomon Illustrated by Louise Lockhart
Frances Lincoln ISBN 9781786038104 £17.99 There is a great emphasis on learning words as part of the curriculum, and particularly in extending vocabulary, so that there is not a constant use of terms such as ‘lovely’. The publication of the book “The Lost Words” by Robert MacFarlane and Jackie Morris highlighted the way that we…
Lori and Max by Catherine O’Flynn
Firefly Press ISBN 9781912102029 £6.99 Author Catherine O’Flynn, winner of the Costa First Novel Award for “What was Lost”, has bought us her first children’s book with “Lori and Max”. An entertaining, witty novel which introduces us to school girls Lori – a budding detective, and Max – a troubled newcomer with a complicated but…
This Book Will (Help) Cool The Climate by Isabel Thomas. Illustrated by Alex Paterson
Wren and Rook ISBN 9781526362414 £6.99 As we hear more and more news of environmental damage and the peril our planet is in and faces in the future, this engaging book is a very timely. Isabel Thomas is a science writer and children’s author who has been shortlisted for the Royal Society Young People’s Book…
Trailblazers: Albert Einstein by Paul Virr
Stripes Publishing ISBN: 9781788951586 £6.99 This is a new title in the excellent Traiblazers series. Albert Einstein is, indeed, “the greatest mind in physics”. The book opens with interesting background detail and information about Galileo, Isaac Newton, relativity and The Moment of Truth. Then we follow Albert’s life from his childhood through to his great…
Cloudburst by Wilbur Smith (with Chris Wakling)
Piccadilly Press ISBN 9781848128538 £6.99 Cloudburst is the first in a planned series of books by Wilbur Smith using the same family of characters as in some of his adult books. The young star of the story, Jack Courtney, is taken to the Democratic Republic of Congo by his parents, as they are attending an…
Lalani of the Distant Sea by Erin Entrada Kelly
Piccadilly Press ISBN 9781848129153 £6.99 Based on Filipino folklore, this is a powerful and challenging book for experienced readers. The author has previously won the Newbery Medal and certainly the quality of her writing shines through in this gripping tale. It is set on the fictional island of Sanalgita where life is treacherous, the future…
The Mask of Aribella, by Anna Hoghton
Chicken House Books ISBN 9781912626106 £6.99 This is a fantasy story set in a real place – Venice. You won’t learn very much about Venice, other than gondolas and canals; but you will read a cracking good story that gallops along, almost leaving you breathless. Aribella is just turned thirteen, daughter of a penniless lace-maker,…
Time Travel Diaries: Adventures in Athens by Caroline Lawrence
Piccadilly Press ISBN 9781848128477 £6.99 Alex and Dinu are off on their time travels again – to Athens in 415BC in search of Socrates. This time they reluctantly take Dinu’s little sister, Crina, with them. All in aid of making sure the details in a new computer game are accurate. Needless to say, all kinds…
Tiger Heart by Penny Chrimes Illustrated by Levente Szabo
Orion ISBN978151007564 £7.99 Fly has never known a life other than the orphanage and being a chimney sweep’s assistant, but one day she decides to escape by climbing down a chimney. Unfortunately what she discovers seems even worse than her previous life, because she ends up in a room with a rather large tiger. From…
Elsetime by Eve McDonnell
Everything with Words ISBN: 9781911427179 £8.99 This is all about two twelve year olds, Gloria and Needle, who live 50 years apart, yet meet up and share lots of adventures. Gloria, an orphan, lives with her 16 year old sister and they both need to work to pay the rent. Gloria aspires to be a…
Invisible in a Bright Light by Sally Gardner
Zephyr ISBN 9781786 695222 £10.99 In the foreword to Invisible in a Bright Light, author Sally Gardner admits it took her a long time to “work out how a theatre, a ghost ship and a crystal chandelier might be connected” but in this rich, evocative story, she has managed to do this with aplomb. Readers…
The Impossible Boy by Ben Brooks
Quercus Children’s Books ISBN 9781540997 £9.99 A delightful story that will entertain and engage readers. Two best friends, Oleg and Emma, are bored in class so invent a boy called Sebastian Cole who arrives along with a host of mysterious happenings. Brooks has created a fun story with some nicely observed characters and lively realistic…
Whoa! I Spy a Werewolf by Justin Davies illustrated by Kim Geyer
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408355480 £6.99 Alice MacAlister is a ‘pre transformation’ werewolf who has been nominated for The Bravest Monster award despite only recently receiving her welcome pack from the Ministry of Monsters. When celebrity monster vlogger Kiki grabs hold of her hands at a press conference Alice experiences a strange draining sensation. Soon after…
Why Can’t Penguins Fly? (and other questions about Animals) by Anna Claybourne
Wayland ISBN 9781526311627 £12.99 This is one in the series of books ‘ A Question of Science’ and is an excellent addition. Fun illustration enhance each double spread are educational. The text is clear and very good specific illustrations are integrated well to make the book an inspirational learning volume for primary aged children. Older…
Umbrella Mouse to the Rescue by Anna Farqher Illustrated by Sam Usher
Macmillan Children’s Books ISBN: 978-1529003994 £6.99 Fans of the first book, The Umbrella Mouse, which won the 2019 Sainsbury’s Book Prize for Fiction and was chosen as a Waterstone’s Book of the Month, will not be disappointed with the sequel. This story picks up where the last book stopped. It is set during the final months…
The Romans Are Coming! Invaders and Raiders by Paul Mason Illustrated by Martin Bustamante
Franklin Watts ISBN 9781445156170 £8.99 Life in Britain was transformed by the coming of the Romans in 43 BCE. This book tells us what happened from the point of view of those who lived it. The author uses a range of sources from archaeology, written records and other events to help the reader understand what…
The Island That Didn’t Exist by Joe Wilson
Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192775092 £6.99 This is a story that will stretch the imagination of the reader. There are probably, in reality, a number of places in the world that are undiscovered even now, and Joe Wilson uses this theme for his novel. This story about a secret island that can only be located…
The Great Big Brain Book by Mary Hoffman Illustrated by Ros Asquith
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN: 9780711241534 £12.99 This appealing book is part of a series I had not come across before. Mary Hoffman is more familiar to me as the author of the wonderful “Amazing Grace”, but how well she is suited to non-fiction! This is child-friendly information at its best, providing an introduction to how our…
The Curious Crime by Julia Golding
Lion Fiction ISBN 9780745977874 £6.99 This is a 19th century science fantasy, murder-mystery set in an enchanting museum, inspired by the Natural History Museum, with some aspects of Hogwarts, and Sherlock’s mind palace. It tells the story of Ree, a girl who works as a stonemason disguised as a boy. Accompanied by Phil, a rather stubborn dodo,…
Fungariium (Welcome to the Museum) by Ester Gaya in collaboration with the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Illustrated by Katie Scott
Big Picture Press ISBN 9781787415355 £20 This is an absolutely stunning book. The large pages of this robust hardback offer mesmerising detailed artwork together with information presented in an accessible way. Ester Gaya is a senior research leader at Kew and an expert on fungi. Katie Scott’s sumptuous illustrations draw you in to the mysterious…
Adventures on Trains – The Highland Falcon Thief by M.G.Leonard and Sam Sedgman Illustrated by Elisa Paganelli
Macmillan Children’s Books ISBN 9781529013061 £6.99 Hal is not pleased when his parents arrange for him to accompany his uncle Nat on the final trip of the steam train The Highland Falcon while his baby sister is born. However, he quickly discovers not only that members of the royal family will be fellow travelers but that there is…
A Girl Called Justice The Smugglers’ Secret by Elly Griffiths
Quercus Children’s Books ISBN: 9781786540577 £6.99 Experienced adult crime fiction writer Elly Griffiths has proved herself equally adept in this genre for children. This is the second book about the aptly named Justice, daughter of a barrister, now in her second term at Highbury House Boarding School. Despite her father’s parting admonition that she should…
Sequin and Stitch by Laura Dockrill Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie
Barrington Stoke ISBN 9781781129319 £6.99 Sequin lives in a flat with her mother and her baby brother, Stitch. Her mother makes beautiful dresses but receives no real recognition for her work. The flat, though small, is filled with beautiful materials, sequins, buttons, beads and love. Sequin loves her family and her home life. She is, however, bullied…
Space Maps: Your Tour of the Universe by Lara Albanese
What on Earth Books ISBN 9781912920556 £18.99 This is a most impressive galactic guide The size of this books demands attention – it is almost 28 x 38 cms and is appropriate to the subject matter. As a result the double page spreads are almost like posters. The reader is encouraged to start by looking up at the sky. We are shown how the night…
A trip to the Future: how today’s science will shape tomorrow’s world by Moira Butterfield Illustrated by Fago Studios
Templar ISBN 9781787415751 £14.99 This fascinating book looks at the way science has been changing our lives and what it is likely to achieve in the future. From AI, nanotechnology, robots and bionic limbs there are many ways that our future could change and Moira Butterfield has chosen a wide range for us to ponder on. The subtitle…
Simone Biles, Golden Girl of Gymnastics (Trailblazers series) by Sally J Morgan Illustrated by Luisa Uribe and Emma Trithart
Little Tiger ISBN 9781788952514 £6.99 Probably the first time we became aware of the young American gymnast Simone Biles was her gold-medal winning performances at the 2016 Rio Olympics. But her story started well before then and is more complex than one might expect, as this chronicle of her life explains. Simone’s single mother had problems…
Landing with Wings written and illustrated by Trace Balla
Allen and Unwin: ISBN 9781760296957 £11.99 This new book from the much loved creator of Rivertime and Rockhopping is yet another lovely adventure story about caring for the environmental future. It is based in Australia and is a story about Aboriginal cultural practices, but, more than this, it is for children everywhere, about arriving in a new environment, as a stranger, putting down roots…
The Inkberg Enigma by Jonathan King
Gecko Press ISBN: 9781776572663 £11.99 An exciting graphic novel. Miro and Zia live in a fishing town called Aurora. Miro loves books, and Zia is a keen photographer. When Miro is leaving his favourite bookshop, he is attacked by bullies. Zia rescues him, and the two become friends. Zia thinks there is something weird going on in the town, and she persuades…
The House on Hoarder Hill by Mikki Lish and Kelly Ngai
Chicken House ISBN: 9781912626212 £6.99 Hedy and Spencer are sent to stay with Grandpa John, in his creepy house. John used to be a magician, but is now a recluse. The children do not know him very well. The Great House is full of mysterious objects, some of which are magical. Most of the rooms…
Winterborne Home for Vengeance and Valour by Ally Carter
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408357378 £6.99 April lives in an orphanage, but she believes her mum will come back for her. She has a mysterious key that her mother left her. Her class goes on a trip to Winterborne Museum. April accidentally starts a fire, and a significant amount of the museum collection is damaged. She…
Why Can’t Penguins Fly? (and other questions about Animals) by Anna Claybourne
Wayland ISBN 9781526311627 £12.99 This is one in the series of books ‘ A Question of Science’ and is an excellent addition. Fun illustration enhance each double spread are educational. The text is clear and very good specific illustrations are integrated well to make the book an inspirational learning volume for primary aged children. Older…
Whoa! I Spy a Werewolf by Justin Davies illustrated by Kim Geyer
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408355480 £6.99 Alice MacAlister is a ‘pre transformation’ werewolf who has been nominated for The Bravest Monster award despite only recently receiving her welcome pack from the Ministry of Monsters. When celebrity monster vlogger Kiki grabs hold of her hands at a press conference Alice experiences a strange draining sensation. Soon after…
The Time Traveller and the Tiger by Tania Unsworth Illustrated by Laura Bett Cover Art by Helen Crawford White
Zephyr ISBN 9781788541695 £12.99 Tania Unsworth, the critically acclaimed author, has written this adventure about transcendent friendships and conservation. In this novel Elsie is staying with her old, creaky Uncle John in London. She finds time unravel as she tumbles back to the 1940’s to meet her Uncle John as a young boy in India…
The Extraordinary Elements by Colin Stuart with illustrations by Ximo Abadia
Big Picture Press (an imprint of Bonnier Books UK) ISBN 9781787417342 £12.99 This book, written for children with a reading age of 9+, is a useful addition to any science department in schools and in the science section of libraries. It presents the chemical periodic table as you have never seen it before. For those…
Stars Before Bedtime: A Mindful Fall-Asleep Book by Clare Grace and Dr Jessamy Hibberd Illustrated by Hannah Tolson
Wide-Eyed Editions ISBN 9780711255562 £12.99 Life today is demanding for both children and adults alike and it is sometimes hard to slow down. Imagine if we were able to give children the tools to enable them to steady their breathing, relax their muscles and minds, sleep well and so cope with life’s daily demands. Well…
Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
Piccadilly ISBN 9781848129221 £6.99 This is a funny, moving book about four different children– two boys and two girls – who form surprising friendships. The structure of the story is fascinating as it is told from four different points of view. Kelly intertwines the perspectives of Virgil, Valencia, Kaori and Chet, so we learn about their…
Every Child a Song by Nicola Davies Illustrated by Marc Martin
Wren & Rook ISBN 9781526361431 £6.99 Written for the thirtieth anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child the book is subtitled ‘A celebration of children’s rights’. In her foreword Nicola Davies tells us that the UN drew up a list of the things that every child needs to be healthy…
The Cure for a Crime by Roopa Farooki
Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192773593 £6.99 Identical twins Ali and Tulip are worried about their mum, who, even taking into account the challenges of her busy working life as a junior doctor seems to be incredibly tired and constantly falling asleep. They suspect her mysterious new boyfriend is drugging her. Using their own medical know…
History of Rock for Big Fans and Little Punks by Rita Nabais Illustrated by Joana Raimndo
Wren and Rook ISBN 9781526362254 £14.99 A fascinating introduction to popular music history. There is information about important artists such as Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, Aretha Franklin, David Bowie, The Beatles and The Clash. Stylish illustrations capture the spirit of the performers. Facts are presented in accessible formats. The range is…
Timeline Science and Technology – A Journey Through History written and illustrated by Peter Goes Translated by Bill Nagelkerke
Gecko Press ISBN 9781776573004 £16.99 A large format book that provides a visual introduction to our greatest inventions and technology that has changed the world. The journey starts with the Stone Age and we learn about early man using fire, making tools and using metal. This led to new farming techniques and the development of…
The Vikings Are Coming! Invaders and Raiders by Paul Mason Illustrated by Martin Bustamante
Franklin Watts ISBN 9781445156934 £8.99 I have always been interested in Vikings, and this book does not disappoint. The approach is excellent, using real events, archaeological evidence, written records and more to present history “from the point of view of those who lived it.” We are in 868 and the Vikings have invaded the whole…
The Lost Soul Atlas by Zana Fraillon
Orion ISBN: 978510103506 £6.99 The reader is taken on two journeys in the latest book from Carnegie Medal Shortlisted Author, Zana Fraillon. One journey takes place in the real world, where plucky 10 year old Twig is searching for his missing Da – our protagonist is joined by Flea, another waif, as they search an urban…
The Key to Finding Jack by Ewa Jozefkowich
Zephyr ISBN: 9781789543568 £12.99 This is the heart-warming third novel by Ewa Jozefkowich, (a Waterstones Children’s Book Prize shortlisted author and author of ‘Girl 38: Finding a friend’ and ‘The Mystery of the Colour Thief’). This latest children’s novel is a story about a special bond between siblings, about the riches of family and the…
Lori and Max and the Book Thieves by Catherine O’Flynn
Firefly ISBN 9781913102357 £6.99 This is the second in a series of middle grade crime stories featuring the irrepressible Lori and Max. Lori has ambitions to be a private detective and is always keeping notes of what I going on around her; Max is more of the academic type and always has her head deep…
Dare To Be You by Matthew Syed Illustrated by Toby Triumph
Wren & Rook ISBN: 9781526362377 £9.99 Self-help books abound and are often an acquired taste, but this sequel to the successful You Are Awesome is as readable as the first. Ex international table-tennis player, now writer and broadcaster Matthew Syed has a gift for communicating and once again has found the right pitch and tone to appeal…
Britannica all New Children’s Encyclopedia: What We Know and What We Don’t Edited by Christopher Lloyd
Britannica Books ISBN 9781912929471 £25 This stunning book is a treasure trove of information. Visually superb, facts are presented in engaging, accessible formats such as Factastic, Listified, Known Unknown and Multiple Choice Quizzes. Information is at an appropriate level, but has not been dumbed down. The book covers the Universe, Earth, Matter, Life, Humans, Ancient…
Mr Penguin and The Catastrophic Cruise by Alex T. Smith
Hodder ISBN: 9781444944570 £9.99 This is the third Mr Penguin book and it does not disappoint. This time he is on board a luxury cruise ship because his friend, Colin the spider and kung fu expert, is performing with the Ladies Choir. Mr Penguin is looking forward to having a rest. There are famous film stars,…
Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror by Natasha Farrant, Illustrated by Lydia Corry
Head of Zeus ISBN 978178854115 £12.99 This book is beautiful to look at, and captures all the magic of a traditional book of fairy tales. In its hard-back form, adorned with bright and appealing illustrations, it would make a brilliant addition to a library or school book corner, and also a lovely gift for the…
Nose Knows by Emmanuelle Figueras, Illustrated by Claire De Gastold
What on Earth Books ISBN 9781912920068 £14.99 I read this book to my Year Two class (children aged 6 and 7 years) and they absolutely loved it. They were enthralled by the subject matter, as was I! I am not sure I have ever read a book all about the nose and smelling but now…
Trailblazers: Harriet Tubman by Sandra A Agard
Stripes Publishing ISBN: 9781788952224 £6.99 Harriet Tubman was an amazing lady. A slave who escaped from the South via the ‘Underground Railway’ to the North; who returned time and again to lead other slaves to freedom; who worked for the Unionist Army in the American Civil War; who campaigned for Women’s Suffrage, and who set…
Unbelievable Football – The Most Incredible True Football Stories You Never Knew by Matt Oldfield Illustrated by Ollie Mann
Wren and Rook ISBN 9781526362445 £6.99 This is an excellent book for a football fan aged 7+. The information is appealing and wide ranging, including the World War 1 Christmas truce; the greatest women’s football team of all time who played their last match in 1965; the Busby Babes; the player who faked his own…
The Great Outdoors Woodland Explore Nature with Facts and Activities by Lisa Regan
Wayland ISBN 9781523610682 £12.99 This charming book is part of a series that encourages children to look at and appreciate nature on their doorstep. First we are introduced to the wonderful world of woodlands. There is a good mix of information, drawings and photographs. Pages are well laid out and facts are presented in accessible…
Princess BMX by Marie Basting
Chicken House ISBN 9781911490944 £6.99 A brilliant bonkers story, with fantastic descriptions and elaborate characters. Packed with fast action sequences and naturally lots of BMX bike riding, Princess BMX will astound and delight readers with vivid imaginations. The central premise is an upside down fairy tale. Our heroine is Princess Avariella – a lively but…
Supercats vs Maximus Fang by Gwyneth Rees Illustrated by Becka Moor
Bloomsbury ISBN 9781408894224 £5.99 Also available as an Ebook Gory Gus, the villain, is back in town, and plans to break his partner in crime, Maximus Fang, out of Cat’s End Prison. Topaz leads a top-secret team of supercats who fight crime. She sends Tagg, whose superpower is camouflage, and Sugarfoot, whose superpower is a…
Imagine A Special 30th Anniversary Edition by Alison Lester
Allen & Unwin ISBN:9781911631590 £11.99 I cannot believe it has taken thirty years for me to come across this magical book! The simple premise is that two children, a girl and a boy are playing imaginary games up a tree, in the snow or on the rug inside, each time imagining if they really were in the…
Dragon Detective: Catnapped! by Gareth P. Jones
Little Tiger ISBN 9781788951678 £6.99 Dirk Dilly is a dragon detective in London who conceals his true identity. He manages this because people in London never look up! A girl called Holly phones him to say her cat is missing. Dirk thinks the investigation will be dull, but more cats go missing and new dragons…
Agent Weasel and the Abominable Dr Snow written and illustrated by Nick East
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444945300 £6.99 Agent Weasel, legendary super spy, is taking part in an Alpine sporting event, The Winter Whopper Games with his woodland friends. Always on duty, he discovers strange disappearances taking place, of hot chocolate and competitors too. He discovers this is the work of arch villain Dr Snow who is…
Boot: small robot, big adventure by Shane Hegarty Illustrated by Ben Mantle
Hodder ISBN 9781444949360 £6.99 This is a truly delightful and heart-warming story set in a future world where robots are used to fulfil all the work that humans find boring and ordinary. The story starts when this small robot ‘wakes up’ in a scrap yard and cannot remember much of his past; however the word…
Boot: the Rusty Rescue by Shane Hegarty Illustrated by Ben Mantle
Hodder ISBN 9781444949391 £6.99 Boot the Robot is an appealing character and I enjoyed his first book, Small Robot, Big Adventure. This book does not disappoint. Again the story is set in the future where robots do all the work that humans find dull. Gerry and his friend, Boot, are on a carousel when Gerry’s…
The Last Human by Lee Bacon Illustrated by George Ermos
Piccadilly Press ISBN 9781848128248 £6.99 I really loved this book, and think it will appeal to a wide age-range. It has some challenging vocabulary to stretch the more able reader, but is also written in a very fun and accessible way with short chapters and a playfulness with imagery and text. It is a really…
Toto the Ninja Cat and the Superstar Catastrophe by Dermot O’Leary illustrated by Nick East
Hodder Children’s books ISBN 9781444952063 £6.99 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…
Uncle Gobb and the Plot Plot by Michael Rosen Illustrated by Neal Layton
Bloomsbury ISBN: 9781408873953. £6.99 This third book in this popular series sees the welcome return of Malcolm, his friend Crackersnacker the genies and the weasels in a new battle against Uncle Gobb and his relentless pursuit of fact-driven education and ‘rich knowledge’. Dad is over temporarily from America with Lizard, half sister to Malcolm. She,…
Felix After The Rain by Dunja Jogan Translated by Olivia Hellewell
Tiny Owl ISBN 9781910328453 £7.99 This is a book suitable for discussions around emotional literacy. It deals with a young lad who drags around a heavy suitcase, a metaphor for the burden of the various difficulties he has faced during his young life. I like the metaphor and I think a worried child could understand…
A Cat called Trim by Corinne Fenton Illustrated by Craig Smith
Allen & Unwin ISBN9781911631392 £10.99 This is a delightful picture book that combines the story of an intrepid cat with the true life story of the explorer Matthew Flinders; who was the second circumnavigator of what was to become Australia and wrote the work “Australia or Terra Australis”. Flinders wrote about his cat whilst being…
Level Up! Block and Roll by Tim Nicoll Illustrated by Anjan Sarkar
Little Tiger Press ISBN 9781788950756 £5.99 A perfect companion for enthusiastic gamers and non-gamers alike, this fun and fast-paced adventure follows friends Flo and Max as they attempt to escape from the video game in which they have become trapped. With the popularity of world building games such as Minecraft, this is set to be…
Let’s Play Outdoors! Exploring nature for children by Catherine Ard. Illustrated by Carla McRae
Little Gestalten ISBN9783899558425 £12.95 This book is perfect for lockdown! It is full of inspiring and thought-provoking messages in a child-friendly format, incorporating vibrant pictures and simple instructions. I really enjoy the way the activities are interspersed with key messages about watching out for our destructive footprints and always taking care to put wildlife’s welfare before our…
Oceans and Seas by Miranda Baker (Ultimate Earth) Illustrated by Gareth Lucas
Little Tiger Press Ltd. ISBN: 978-1-912756-44-5 £9.99 As it states on the back cover ” With Giant Action Flaps and Mind Blowing Facts ” this board book is packed with the most incredible creatures in the sea. This is a really good educational book for children as an introduction to a vast array of sea…
Midge and Mo by Lara Williamson Illustrated by Becky Cameron
Little Tiger ISBN 9781788951111 £7.99 In this satisfyingly chunky book for newly independent readers we meet Midge, unhappy after his parents split up and having to move to a new school. Sunny Mo is given the job of befriending him but no matter how she tries nothing works. Then Mo’s teacher reminds her that she too…
Jack’s Secret Summer by Jack Ryder Illustrated by Alice McKinley
Hodder ISBN:9781444952971 £6.99 At the start of the summer holidays, Jack feels depressed and lonely. An only child, he often has to prepare food for his Dad who works long hours at the animal home. Luckily new neighbours recently moved in and the tearaway brothers Bruno and Rocco are more than happy to invite Jack…
Bombs and Blackberries: A World War Two Play by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Thomas Docherty
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444938906 £5.99 This is the hard-pressed teacher’s answer to prayer, especially but not essentially if they are still including a study of WW2 in their history curriculum: a play about the evacuation, the Manchester blitz and its effects on the lives of all those caught up in any or all of…
Milton the Megastar by Emma Read Illustrated by Alex G. Griffiths and Lisa Reed
Chicken House Books (www.doublecluck.com) ISBN 9781912626069 £6.99 This is an exciting read with plenty of action and humour. Milton continues his #notscaredofspiders campaign started in his previous book. Struggling with the pressures of his new found fame, Milton decides to take a break in Hawaii and find his father. En route he and his…
Beast Quest: New Blood by Adam Blade
Hachette Books ISBN 9781408357859 £5.99 For those children who are familiar with the juggernaut that is the ‘Beast Quest’ set of series, this book will need no introduction, except to say that this is the new series: ‘New Blood’. However, for those of you who are less familiar with the idea, (even though there are…
Thimble Wonga Bonkers by Jon Blake Illustrated by Martin Chatterton
Dragonfly – Firefly Press. ISBN 9781913102104 £5.99 An easy to read, fast paced story for 6-9s.This is the third in a series of books about a boy called Jams and his mischievous monkey called Thimble. It stands alone in its own right but I’m sure once read children will want to read the other two…
The Magic of Mums by Justin Coe, Illustrated by Steve Wells
Otter-Barry ISBN 9781910959640 £6.99 Not all mums are the same and not all mums are humans. This collection of poems has an A to Z of a wide variety of them from Action Mum to Zzzz Mum. You will find mums you recognise (I’m afraid I’m the ‘Anxious Mum’! – ‘Don’t forget your toothbrush, darling,…
On Wings of Words by Jennifer Berne Illustrated by Becca Stadtlander
Chronicle Kids ISBN 9781452142975 £13.99 Subtitled ‘The Extraordinary Life of Emily Dickinson’, this is certainly an extraordinary book. We are taken on a journey through the poet’s life in 1800s America where she is born with a love of nature and soon develops a love of books. As she grows, she becomes aware of shadows…
Notes in Class: Book 1 (Scribble Witch) written and illustrated by Inky Willis
Hodder ISBN 9781444951653 £6.99 Molly’s best friend Chloe is moving to a new school. Molly is upset and has the worst Wednesday ever. . . . until Notes pops up. Notes is a tiny paper witch who lives in a pe npot and is visible only to Molly. Notes’ secret scribbles are funny, and sometimes…
In Great Numbers: How Numbers Shape the World We Live in by Isabel Thomas, Robert Klanten, Maria-Elisabeth Niebus, and Raphael Honigstein Illustrated by Daniela Olejniková
Little Gestalten ISBN 9783899558203 £16.95 This book introduces the fascinating world of numbers in ways that are accessible and interesting to children aged 7-9. The pages are effectively designed with a good balance of information and attractive illustrations. We learn about the universal language of numbers, and why even animals can count. We see how…
My Other Life by Polly Ho Yen Bloomsbury Readers
Bloomsbury Education £6.99 This is an interesting story about a young girl, Mae, who has asthma. She often has to use her inhaler and sometimes has to go to hospital. During one hospital visit she sees a tear in the universe before her. Eventually it disappears but it unsettles her and appears again. Eventually Mae…
Baby Koala Rescue by Tilda Kelly
Orchard ISBN 9781408363348 £5.99 Ruby likes peace, familiarity and routine. She finds it difficult at the end of the school day when children jostle in the corridor. Ruby loves maths, animals and drawing. She has a tendency to say exactly what she thinks which can make relationships awkward. Her favourite place in the world is…
Agent Zaiba Investigates: the Missing Diamonds by Annabelle Sami, Illustrated by Daniela Sosa
Stripes Publishing ISBN: 9781788952064 £6.99 Agent Zaiba is an exciting detective mystery. Zaiba attends her cousin’s Mehndi party, a pre-wedding celebration in Hindu and Sikh culture when the bride has the red-orange mehndi “stain” applied to her palms, back of hands, and feet. There is a VIP staying in the hotel and Zaiba is determined to find…
Green Planet Life in our Woods and Forests by Moira Butterfield. Illustrated by Jonathan Woodward
Little Tiger Press ISBN 978-1-912756-02-5 £12.99 This book is one of ‘Colours of the World’ series which provides a wonderful introduction to the natural world for children. Wonderfully illustrated, the book explores the forests and animals around the globe and features the smallest trees to the largest jungles, and the tiniest beetles to the biggest bears. The double page spreads clearly…
Metropolis written and illustrated by Benoit Tardiff
Big Picture Press an imprint of Bonnier Books UK ISBN: 9781787418547 £12.99 This is a stunning visual journey around 32 of the World’s cities. Very colourful double postcard- like pages allow the reader to discover key landmarks, the architecture and the cultural treasures of 32 cities. The spreads are full of effective images that show what makes up each city and allow the…
The Silver Pony by Holly Webb Illustrated by James Brown
Little Tiger ISBN 9781788951937 £5.99 A pony story with a difference. Not only is Daisy struggling with her emotions because her best friend Mara is in hospital with cancer, but she is also being teased and bullied at school by Jack Wilson. The only thing that seems to be able to lighten her life is coming…
Prehistoric Pets by Dr Dean Lomax Illustrated by Mike Love
Templar Press ISBN 9781787415331 £14.99 This is such an exciting book. We meet current pets – guinea pig, budgerigar, corn snake, cat, goldfish, dog and horse. Dr Dean Lomax is a palaeontologist and Ichthyosaur expert who traces back each pet’s family tree using fossil clues so we see what the pet’s great, great, great, great, GREAT grandparents looked like. There is…
Toto The Ninja Cat and the Mystery Jewel Thief by Dermot O’Leary
Hachette Books ISBN: 9781444952049 £9.99 Toto the Ninja Cat is the fourth title published by TV presenter turned author. Inspired by his real life cats, one of whom is named Toto, this lively and entertaining riotous romp will keep many young readers turning the pages. Nicely illustrated throughout by Nick East, with some double full spreads,…
Space Explorers- 25 Extraordinary Stories of Space Exploration and Adventure by Libby Jackson, Illustrated by Leonard Dupond
Wren & Rook ISBN 9781526362117 £14.99 The author is a human spaceflight expert and a huge space enthusiast, and this enthusiasm comes through in all these short stories based on actual events. The stories are in chronological order and go from the Sputnik flight to future space trips to Mars. Each episode is just as…
Pippi Longstocking Goes Aboard by Astrid Lindgren Illustrated by Lauren Child
OUP ISBN 9780192775078 £20 This fabulous edition is a suitable tribute to Pippi Longstocking in her 75th anniversary year. Lauren Child’s superb illustrations enhance the text. Astrid Lindgren published more than one hundred books in her lifetime and is still the most popular children’s author in Sweden. Her books have been translated into more than sixty…
Fearless Fairy Tales by Konnie Huq and James Kay Illustrated by: Rikin Parekh
Piccadilly Press ISBN 9781848128118 £14.99 Konnie Huq is already well known to older children and adults as a Blue Peter presenter, and more recently to younger fans as the author and illustrator of the Cookie books. She has now turned her hand to writing a reimagined set of fairy tales, with co-author James Kay. Here we have…
Count On Me written and illustrated by Miguel Tanco
Tate Publishing ISBN 9781849767347 £11.99 A beautifully illustrated book about Katherine, after Katherine Johnson, the American mathematician who helped to send astronauts to the moon. Katherine’s family have passions of their own. Her father likes painting, her mother studies insects and her brother enjoys music. Katherine has tried a variety of activities, including acting, ballet,…
Boot: The Creaky Creatures by Shane Hegarty
Hachette Books ISBN 9781444958799 £9.99 A welcome third instalment from Shane Hegarty and Boot the robot brings us “Boot: the Creaky Creatures”. The central premise of this series is the protagonist Boot – a plucky toy robot – in the futurescape city he lives in, (resembling at times, Bladerunner for children, with dark graffiti filled alleyways, flying…
Akbar’s India by Marcia Thompson
Balestier Press ISBN 9781911221258 £12.99 This book came about as a result of the author’s work on an assisted reading programme in a London primary school. She found herself searching for stories that would sufficiently engage some of the children who lacked the intrinsic motivation to read, and in particular some of the Muslim children for…
Skeleton Keys: The Haunting of Luna Moon by Guy Bass Illustrated by Pete Williamson
Stripes ISBN: 9781788951043 £6.99 This is the second book in the Skeleton Keys series. Skeleton Keys is a talking skeleton who has keys instead of fingers that can open doors to secret worlds. Luna mourns the death of her grandfather, Old Man Moon. The rest of the family are delighted that he has gone. Then…
Paolo : Emperor of Rome by Mac Barnett. Illustrated by Claire Keane
Abrams Books for Young Readers ISBN 9781419741098 £12.99 This beautifully written and illustrated book is about a daring dachshund who takes a whirlwind tour of Rome in search of freedom. Paolo is confined to a hair salon in Rome but he wants the sweet life, (la dolce vita), in the Eternal City. He escapes and…
Ivanhoe Swift Left Home At Six by Jane Godwin Illustrated by A.Yi
Allen and Unwin ISBN 978-1911631170 £11.99 This is another story about a child’s limitless imagination. Ivanhoe wants to see the world beyond the garden gate – he has clearly been cherished, read to and had songs sung to him by his parents, and now he wants to experience some of the things he has…
Jasper and Scruff Hunt for the Golden Bone by Nicola Colton
Stripes ISBN 9781788950534 £5.99 Jasper and Scruff are in their new bookshop when they receive delivery of a rare book, written by the famous Black Whiskers. In it is a treasure map, and the two embark on a mission to find the golden bone. There is plenty of fun along the way, deciphering clues, visiting…
The Worrysaurus by Rachel Bright, Illustrated by Chris Chatterton
Orchard Books ISBN: 978140356135 £12.99 We all know a Worrysaurus: a child or adult who tends to overthink things and worry about what might happen instead of living in and enjoying the moment. Such is the theme of this charming tale which begins on a beautiful day when little Worrysaurus wakes to the lovely plans he has…
Adventure Duck vs the Armadillo Army by Steve Cole Illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff
Orchard Books ISBN 978140835 6852 £5.99 A meteorite strike causes strange mutations in the animal world creating super-powered creatures; some good and some evil. In Mexico Power Pug is busy seeking world domination, using his mind controlling powers to destroy the rainforest and all chocolate factories with the help of an army of armadillos. His…
Rabbit and Bear, A Bite in the Night by Julian Gough Illustrated by Jim Field
Hachette Children’s ISBN 9781444921748 £5.99 Fourth in the Rabbit and Bear series, this traditional style tale sees the friends discovering that some of their favourite trees have gone, appearing to have been eaten. They find the culprit is not the monster they feared, but the newly arrived Beaver, doing what beavers do. As beavers are being reintroduced…
Ella May Does It Her Way by Mick Jackson Illustrated by Andrea Stegmaier
Words and Pictures ISBN: 9781786039040 £11.99 Ella and her mum live on a houseboat. Her mum introduces her to some new food, and tells her daughter “It’s good to try new things.” Ella embraces this idea with gusto and we see her in a variety of scenarios such as walking backwards, and reading a book backwards.…
The World of Whales Get to Know the Giants of the Ocean by Darcy Dobell Illustrated by Becky Thorns
Little Gestalten ISBN 9783899558302 £16.95 A most attractive book that teaches children about whales and their world. The table of contents is illustrated, and the opening of the book sets the engaging tone – “A little Pwhooowhh-wup!! That is the sound of a whale taking a breath as it breaks through the waves.” We are…
The Story Puppy by Holly Webb
Stripes ISBN 9781788952200 £5.99 Holly Webb is a very popular writer. This book tells the story of Jack. He does not find reading easy and is unhappy at school. Mattie, his sister, tells him about Daisy, a new puppy in the shelter who had been dumped by the side of the road. Daisy is nervous…
What Can You See: On the Farm? By Kate Ware Illustrated by Maria Peters
Little Tiger ISBN 9781912756409 £7.99 An excellent book in the spot and count series. There are pages with peep holes and layered landscapes that invite the reader to explore the farm. Text is dotted round each page including facts and questions such as “Can you find five ladybirds?” This interactive approach encourages children to look…
Trouble! Dirty Bertie by Alan Macdonald Illustrated by David Roberts
Stripes Publishing ISBN: 9781788950251 £ 5.99 Another exciting adventure about Dirty Bertie. In the first story he has forgotten about a maths test and tries to use a magic potion to make Miss Boot forget about it. All does not go as planned. Next he is at Know-All Nick’s house for a sleepover. Neither boy…
Museum Kittens The Midnight Visitor by Holly Webb Illustrated by Sarah Lodge
Little Tiger ISBN 9781788951876 £5.99 When the visitors have left at the end of the day, the museum cats come out to play. Peter is a scrawny, wet black kitten who appears on the steps of the museum. Tasha is kind and shows him round the museum but other museum cats are less welcoming. Tasha…
BEE Nature’s Tiny Miracle A Peek-through Book by Britta Teekentrap Illustrated by Britta Teckentrup
Little Kids and imprint of Little Tiger Group ISBN 9781788816281 £6.99 This delightful story book is for sharing with young children. Allowing them to involve themselves with the beautiful illustrations adds a sense of excitement and “What next?” to a day in the life of the bee and other bees. As the bee journeys from…
Mr Birdsnest and the House Next Door by Julia Donaldson Illustrated by Hannah Shaw
Barrington Stoke ISBN: 9781781125755 £6.99 Another in the super Little Gems series with their high quality stories by renowned authors. Each uses a dyslexia friendly font, tinted paper to reduce visual stress, and a limited amount of text broken up by colourful illustrations to encourage both newly independent readers and those who require just a…
Dear Earth by Isabel Otter Illustrated by Clara Anganuzzi
Caterpillar Books ISBN 9781848579415 £11.99 This book tells of Tessa who wants everyone to know how special our planet is and how there is a chance to save the Earth if enough children share the message she wrote to Earth. The story encourages children’s imaginations to develop through the relationship of the grandfather with his…
The Story of Inventions by Catherine Barr and Steve Williams Illustrated by Amy Husband
Frances Lincoln ISBN 9780711245365 £12.99 Information books have seen a huge resurgence in the last few years and it is always interesting to see what new developments are out there. This book is a basic look at the history of inventions and takes two different approaches. It starts with a chronological look at some very…
Flyntlock Bones: The Sceptre of the Pharaohs by Derek Keilty Illustrated by Mark Elvins
Scallywag Press ISBN 9781912650408 £7.99 Young Flynn leaves Baskervile orphanage and applies for a job as cabin boy on the Black Hound. Flynn develops new skills. He is befriended by Red, a girl rigger, and learns to rub shoulders with the rest of the crew, including Drudger who bullies him. But this is no ordinary…
Wild Wolf written and illustrated by Fiona French
Otter-Barry ISBN 9781910959930 £12.99 I am Wild Wolf, guardian spirit to the people who live in the high mountains. Many times, I have seen that danger is not outside in the forest, but inside humans…. So begins the retelling of a traditional tale of the Algonquin people, but with a happier ending than the original.…
Little Tiger Rescue by Rachael Delahaye
Stripes Publishing Ltd ISBN 9781788951845 £5.99 This paperback story book for young readers is about a Fliss and her magical adventures to save wild animals in danger all around the world. Fliss stumbles upon a temple in a Rain Forest where she meets a tiny abandoned tiger cup who loves to play. She sets out…
Wilfred and Olbert’s EPIC Prehistoric Adventure written and illustrated by Lomp
Little Tiger ISBN: 978178881090-6 £7.99 This is a brilliant and disappointing book, both at the same time. The storyline is aimed at KS1 – mad scientists use a time machine to travel back through time – yet the language is very sophisticated. Wilfred and Olbert travel back through time. They pass through many geological periods…
I See, I See written and illustrated by Robert Henderson
Allen and Unwin ISBN 9781911631743 £9.99 An original inter-active book. The pages are designed to be shared. Readers face each other across the book. The reader with a yellow star reads out first, and then the second reader responds. The illustrations represent situations that can be interpreted from different points of view, such as I…
Look Up at the Stars by Katie Cotton Illustrated by Asian Lora Frances
Lincoln ISBN 9781786037725 £12.99 It’s night-time and a parent and young child hug while looking through the window at the starry night. The child longs for a star to hold and his parent promises to catch one for him. There follows a quest through woods, across seas and through snow to the highest point they…
The Pigeon Has To Go To School! written and illustrated by Mo Willems
Walker ISBN 9781406389012 £6.99 Fans of Don’t Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus and other titles will be delighted that this beguiling, drama queen of a pigeon is having another outing. Created by a former writer and animator on Sesame Street, this bird carries all the hallmarks of wit, humour and original voice we might…
One World Many Colours by Ben Lerwill Illustrated by Alette Straathof
Quarto Publishing ISBN 9780711249820 £12.99 This book is a lyrical celebration of the vibrant colours to be found in the world we all live in. It is an amazing introduction to geography told through the colour spectrum. Travelling around the world visiting different places and environments, the reader is taken on a celebration of both…
The Tale of a Toothbrush A story of plastic in our oceans by M. G Leonard Illustrated by Daniel Riley
Walker Books ISBN 9781406391817 £6.99 At a time when plastic is causing so many problems in our oceans and especially to the wildlife who live in our oceans, this children’s book is both timely and important. 80% of plastic in oceans is from land sources and with eight million tonnes of plastic ending up in…
The Happy Book Understanding Your Feelings Welbeck Children’s Publishing
ISBN 9781783125463 £7.99 This book has plenty of ideas and suggestions that encourage children to notice their moods and express their thoughts and feelings rather than hide them. A good range of feelings are covered, such as happy, sad, angry, scared and worried. Scientific sections explain what happens in our brains and bodies, and there…
Mark Anchovy, Pizza Detective written and illustrated by William Goldsmith
Piccadilly ISBN 781848128613 £6.99 Colin Kingsley is just an ordinary boy, living above his parents’ pizza parlour and delivering pizzas after school. He has ambitions to be a private detective, something that brings him to the notice of the Golden Spatula league; they are a secret network of young people who work in food establishments…
Little Turtle and the Sea by Becky Davies, Illustrated by Jennie Poh
Little Tiger Press Ltd ISBN 9781788 815802 £11.99 This book helps younger children learn about the life cycle of the turtle and discover the problems faced by the turtle as plastic invades our oceans and seas. The story shows how the life of one turtle is a struggle. The story of the journeys of the…
Like The Ocean We Rise by Nicola Edwards Illustrated by Sarah Wilkins
Caterpillar Books ISBN: 97818389102977 £12.99 At the top of the back cover we read the following ‘ Our planet is vast and it’s beautiful too, but it needs our help- it needs me, it needs you.’ To any child of today that is a message that needs making over and over again. This peek-through book…
A Bear Named Bjorn by Delphine Perret Translated from the French by Antony Shugaar
Gecko Press ISBN 9781776572694 £9.99 Bjorn lives in a cave in the forest. The walls are smooth, the ground is comfortable. Just in front there is a rough tree, perfect for back-scratching. His friends are fox, badger, rabbit, weasel, owl and chickadee. There are six short chapters in the book which tell of their adventures.…
Little Bird Lost by Patricia Hegarty Illustrated by Sebastian Van Doninck
Stripes Publishing ISBN 9781788951173 £7.99 This book is one of a series of colourfully illustrated stories for six year olds upwards written to encourage independent reading. It tells the story of a small bird with a broken wing who is unable to continue migrating with his flock to warmer climes. Fortunately he is found by…
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming Adapted by Peter Bently, Illustrated by Steve Antony
Hachette Children’s Books ISBN 9781444948202 £12.99 Who needs a film when you’ve got a short, punchy picture book about a flying car! I tried to read this as if I was coming to the story for the first time with no preconceived ideas and I loved it and, more importantly, I thought children from 5-10 would love it too, read independently or read to them as…
It’s Only One by Tracey Corderoy. Illustrated by Tony Neal
Little Tiger Books ISBN 9781788816816 £11.99 “It’s Only One” is a child friendly, positive message about how to play your part in the local community. The story tells of a wonderful community with diversity of folk portrayed as different animals living harmoniously together. In fact, Sunnyville was so wonderful “It sparkled with Loveliness”. The inhabitants are kind, friendly, generous and complimentary and get on well until one fateful…
Tashi – 25th Anniversary Edition by Anna and Barbara Fienberg Illustrated by Kim Gamble
Allen and Unwin ISBN 9781911631859 £9.99 Tashi is listed in 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Grow Up, and with good reason. The creation of Australian mother and daughter combination Anna and Barbara Fienberg, Tashi came into being 25 years ago, hence the reissue of three of the stories in this edition. Tashi is a small creature from another place, the…
The Wolf’s Secret by: Myriam Dahman & Nicolas Digard Illustrated by Julia Sarda
Orchard Books ISBN 978140835-5299 £12.99 Far, far away in the North, there was a forest, deep and forgotten. Old pines wrapped around each other, protecting its mystery. Over the treetops loomed a mountain and from the midst of the branches came a never-ending whisper. This is the story of a wolf (the biggest ever born) and…
Bold Tales for Brave-Hearted Boys by Susannah McFarlane
Allen & Unwin ISBN 97817660524715 £12.99 As a parent who always disliked the arrogant and undisciplined Goldilocks, rudely breaking and entering with no repercussions, or even an apology to the bears, I was thrilled to read “Bold Tales for Brave-Hearted Boys” by Susannah McFarlane. McFarlane has taken four classic fairy tales and retold them with…
The Robin and the Reindeer by Carmen Saldana Illustrated by Rosa Bailey
Hachette Children’s Group ISBN: 9781444955552 £12.99 The cover of this book is especially appealing with silver foil trees and snowflakes, a dark background, and a delightful picture of a robin and a reindeer. At the start of the story the Little Reindeer is enjoying her first time in the snow. Evocative pictures and text work…
The Journey- Nature’s Greatest Adventure by Jonny Marx, Illustrated by Hanako Clulow
Caterpillar Books ISBN 9781838910327 £10.99 This book is based on the migration of Zebras from the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. This happens throughout each year as they sense the change of weather patterns and need to move to find fertile feeding grasslands further north. The text is kept to the minimum at the top…
Ernest Shackleton in the Little People, Big Dreams Series by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara, Illustrated by Olivia Holden
Frances Lincoln Children’s Books ISBN: 9780711245709 £9.99 This is another book in the Little People, Big Dreams series which gives children the chance to discover the lives of outstanding people, who achieved incredible things. This is an excellent addition to the series. The story of Little Earnest Shackleton begins with his birth in County Kildare in…
Claude at the Palace written and illustrated by Alex T. Smith
Hachette ISBN 9781444932003 £8.99 Much loved bestselling character. His fans will not be disappointed. In this adventure Claude and his friend Sir Bobblysock decide to have a day out. They find themselves at the Royal Palace. The royal nanny, Nanny Stern-Bloomers, “has suddenly got one of her heads, so she’s having a long lie down…
Under the Great Plum Tree by Sufiya Ahmed Illustrated by Rez’s Dalvand
Tiny Owl ISBN: 978910328460 £12.99 Another wonderful book from independent children’s publishers Tiny Owl, this is a story of an unlikely friendship between “golden-hearted Miss Bandari and the old crocodile Mr Magarmach’. A lovely story about the true value of friendship and a perfect stimulus to look at themes of trust, loyalty and betrayal. With…
Seagull Seagull: Poems by James K. Baxter Illustrated by Kieran Rynhart
Gecko Press ISBN 9781776572816 £11.99 This is a new gift edition of a selection of poems from James K Baxter’s The Tree House and Other Poems that was first published in 1974. Baxter was a primary school teacher and the poems cover topics which young children will find familiar such as being out in the…
Sea Keepers: The Mermaid’s Dolphin by Coral Ripley
Orchard ISBN 9781408359969 £6.99 This book is the first in a new series, and is an enjoyable read. The start of the story is about Emily moving to a new area and fitting in. She makes friends with Layla and Grace. The girls rescue a dolphin tangled in a fishing net, and start on an…
Only A Tree Knows How To Be A Tree written and illustrated by Mary Murphy
Otter Barry Books ISBN 9781910959251 £11.99 This story about uniqueness and individual acceptance could be read and enjoyed simply at surface level. But what I think makes this book much more is it’s a starting point for so much discussion and so much learning. I can imagine reading this to a child between 3-7 years…
Let’s Find The Mermaid by Alex Willmore
Little Tiger Press ISBN: 9781788816311 £6.99 This is one of a series of beautifully colourful board books populated with appealing characters with peep throughs and felt flaps for little fingers to lift. The formula: where is X hiding? is a time-honoured favourite with babies and toddlers and builds from their enjoyment of Peek-a-boo games. In…
Mr Whale! written and illustrated by Sam Boughton
Templar publishing ISBN 9781787415713 £9.99 A charming lift-the-flap board book that introduces readers to some of the creatures in the oceans. The format is like a scrapbook with a font like handwriting. Flaps, cut-outs and 3D pull outs intrigue the reader and suggest the awe and wonder of life under the ocean. Factual information is…
Don’t Mess With Duck by Becky Davies Illustrated by Emma Levy Little
Tiger Press ISBN 9781788815901 £11.99 The book title and the cover illustration pull you in from the very beginning. The characterisation of duck and frog is brilliant. They are reminiscent in body posture and vexatious looks of, at best two troubled teens or at worst two gangster criminals and as the title suggests ‘Don’t mess…
My Parents Cancelled My Birthday by Jo Simmons Illustrated by Nathan Reed
Bloomsbury ISBN 9781526606587 £6.99 What an epic, belly laughing, side-splittingly funny book this is! The warmth and humour roll off each page as you zoom through it, hoping and hoping that it’s not going to end, and that a giant pig isn’t going to fall out of the page and squash you flat! Poor Tom,…
My Butterfly Bouquet by Nicola Davies Illustrated by Hannah Peck
Wren and Rook ISBN 978152636131-8 £6.99 Nicola Davies is well respected for her many books introducing young readers to the natural world and here she explains, through story, about the importance as well as the beauty of butterflies. A little girl is recovering from a hospital stay in the depths of winter, with little outside to…
My Friend Fred by Frances Watts Illustrated by A.Yi
Allen and Unwin ISBN9781911631453 £11.99 In this story we hear all about Fred an excitable, mischievous and very appealing sausage dog. Each delightfully illustrated double page introduces another aspect of Fred’s behaviour which is clearly considered very strange by the unseen narrator. Why for example does Fred howl at the moon or turn around three…
Polly and the New Baby by Rachel Quarry
OUP ISBN: 9780192769046. £6.99 As someone who remembers her imaginary friends extremely clearly, (I had two), I found this book very easy to relate to. Little Polly’s friend is Bunny and he goes everywhere with her – in her old pushchair. That has been fine until now, but Mum is expecting a new baby…
The Mystery Kitten by Holly Webb Illustrated by Sophy Williams
Stripes ISBN 9781788952194 £5.99 Elsa is moving house. It is an exciting but scary time. Elsa will get her own room, which is good, but she might find it odd sleeping without Sara every night. At night she is troubled by strange noises at night. Eventually she finds the cause – a little black kitten…
Argh! There’s a skeleton inside you! by Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost
Allen and Unwin ISBN 9781911631583 £10.99 The startling cover of this book attracts children and the humorous cartoon style is an excellent vehicle for conveying information. Quog and Oort are on their way to a party when their spaceship crashes and they need to open the spaceship door. My favourite line in the book is…
One Runaway Rabbit by David Metzenthen Illustrated by Mairead Murphy
Allen and Unwin ISBN 9781911631484 £10.99 This is a clever book about a curious pet rabbit who leaves the safety of the bushy garden and arrives in the wild world of suburbia at night. The text is minimalist. There are only 8 sentences of three words each. This is very effective as it helps focus…
A Number of Numbers – Search and Find by A J Wood and Mike Jolley Illustrated by Allan Saunders
Wide Eyed Publishing ISBN 9781786035363 £12.99 This heavy large-format book is designed for multiple usage, and it certainly requires lots of poring over. The numbers 1 – 20 are given individually illustrated double-page spreads crammed with detail and things to find in ‘Where’s Wally’ style. The number six for example asks us to find 6…
Secret Agent Elephant by Eoin McLaughlin Illustrated by Ros Collins
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408354230 £12.99 This is a hilarious book about an elephant who wants to get into spy school but lacks the skills to pass the entrance tests. He is unable to resist mini-pizzas but he does look wonderful in in his tuxedo! The bright illustrations are superb and capture the flamboyance of the…
I Love You More And More by Nicky Benson Illustrated by Jonny Lambert
Little Tiger Press ISBN: 9781788813433. £4.99 Parent bear (gender unspecified, so more flexible) begins the day expressing love for bear cub. As they walk through the birch forest past other creatures with their young: foxes, caribou and otter, Bear explains how s/he loves cub more than anything else, so that by the evening s/he reveals…
A Little Bit Different written and illustrated by Claire Alexander
Words and Picture ISBN: 9780711245457 £11.99 A charming story about the ploofers who are planning to do something special, all together. Then they notice a gap – one of the ploofers has chosen to do something different! Immediately the main body of the ploofers turn their backs and criticise the one who chose to be different. Then…
The Moonlight Zoo by Maudie Powell-Tuck Illustrated by Karl James Mountford
Little Tiger Press ISBN 9781788814027 £12.99 A shiny cut-out cover entices the reader into Eva’s search for her lost cat Luna. Following noises from under her bed she finds herself in the Moonlight Zoo where a welcoming wolf explains that it is where lost animals are kept safe. Eva is taken through the zoo, looking…
Plant and Grow by Patricia Hegarty Illustrated by Thomas Elliot
Caterpillar Books ISBN 9781848578937 £5.99 This touch and trace book in the Baby 101 Science series is a learning book for babies. The bold illustrations on every page allow the baby to touch and trace the words and will allow not only plenty of interaction between parent and baby, but also teach them about how…
Who Said Woof? by Becky Davies Illustrated by Yi-Hsuan Wu
Little Tiger ISBN: 9781912756339 £6.99 A charming lift-the-flap book which is great fun. The author provides a range of creatures for us to consider as we work out who said woof? The illustrations are delightful and the creatures have appealing eyes. I particularly like the goldfish and the tortoise. Each creature has a cut-away flap…
Pug Hug written and illustrated by Zehra Hicks
Hachette Children’s ISBN 9781444949971 £12.99 The bold, simple illustrations in Pug Hug will be attractive to young readers, a good next step from board books perhaps. With a small amount of text on each page it will be a good introduction to the printed word, distinguishing print from pictures. The page-turning story follows the well-trodden path…
Bear Shaped by Dawn Coulter-Cruttenden
OUP ISBN 9780192772114 £6.99 This sensitive book explores grieving, loss and moving forward. Jack is an autistic boy who has a very close relationship with his Bear. Jack was able to hide behind Bear in situations where he felt awkward. But one day Bear disappears. Jack is devastated .He and his parents spread the word…
Avocado Asks What Am I? written and illustrated by Momoko Abe
Orchard ISBN 9781408358221 £12.99 A witty book, based in a supermarket. Avocado is happy in the fruit and vegetable aisle until a small customer asks if an avocado is a fruit or a vegetable. Avocado does not know the answer, so he approaches other products in the supermarket. None of them can help. Avocado feels…
ABC of Kindness by Patricia Hegarty Illustrated by Summer Macon
Caterpillar Books ISBN 9781848579910 £6.99 A charming alphabet book in pastel colours, which highlights ways in which we can be kind to each other. The drawings feature animals have delightful facial expressions, and the rhyming text reads well aloud. A well designed board book with an uplifting theme. A is for all of us be everyone’s…
The Monkey with a Bright Blue Bottom by Steve Smallman Illustrated by Nick Schon
Little Tiger ISBN 9781788816595 £6.99 A delightful story set “when the world” was new. A monkeys admires the bright colours of the birds. All the creatures round him are “as dull as an elephant poo.” Monkey finds a paintbox, and seeks to rectify this. He creeps up on creatures while they are napping and paints…
Tim Hopgood’s ABC written and illustrated by Tim Hopgood
Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192772527 £6.99 Of course, alphabet board books are not new, but this is a good example of the genre. In a strong, square format, the illustrations are lush and lavish, with each letter being represented by something in nature. This provides something of a problem with those most difficult letters q,…
When I Grow up I Want to Be by Rosamund Lloyd Illustrated by Richard Merritt
Little Tiger Press ISBN9781912756384 £6.99 This small board book introduces a range of individuals with different professions from firefighter to athlete. Each double page includes a new individual greeting the reader alongside an image of them in action. Lift the flaps and we find out more about what they do, their workplace and equipment. Efforts…
I Can Do It! A Book of 5 Fastenings by Patricia Hegarty. Illustrated by Hilli Kushnir
Caterpillar Books ISBN: 9781848578814 £9.99 Three to five is such a crucial time for children as they try to develop the independence required for starting school. High on the agenda is the need for them to be able to dress themselves, which is where this delightful book comes in, moving on as it does from…
There’s a LION in the Library! by Dave Skinner Illustrated by Aurélie Guillerey
Orchard Books ISBN 978140835 3523 £6.99 A humorous story based on The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Little Lucy Lupin may look like the sweetest, nicest, loveliest little girl in all the world, but she is a terrible liar. Three times she causes chaos in the library when she says a lion is on the loose.…
The Crow and the Peacock written and illustrated by Johanna Fernihough
OUP ISBN 9780192771551 £6.99 Crow thinks he is happy, until he encounters a beautiful dove with its soothing coo. The Dove says it thought it was happy until it heard the magnificent song of the Nightingale. Crow then learns that Nightingale envies Cockerel who, in turn, envies Swan, who envies Peacock. When Peacock reveals that…
I’m Sorry! by Barry Tims Illustrated by Sean Julian
Little Tiger ISBN 978`788815888 £11.99 The cover of this book is delightful – an owl and a squirrel are shown in a heartfelt embrace. Swoop and Scribble are great friends and decide to find a home they can share. They move in, and enjoy sitting on the veranda. Then they have a quarrel, and both…
The Bedtime Book by S. Marendaz Illustrated by Carly Gledhill
Little Tiger ISBN 9781788815680 £11.99 An attractive picture book. Just as Frank the sausage dog is about to fall asleep, he is visited by Mouse who cannot sleep because she cannot find her bedtime book. She and Frank set out to find it. Their investigation involves encounters with Bella the Cat, Owl and Baby Hedgehog.…
Oi Puppies by Kes Gray Illustrated by Jim Field
Hachette Children’s Books ISBN 978144493-7367 £6.99 An hilarious and welcome addition to the ‘Oi’ animals series, who can resist a book full of puppies? Well, to start with, probably Dog who is trying to look after them all – that’s Buster and Jock and Tiddle and Rover and Milo, and oh so many more. Cat and…
Bloom by Anne Booth Illustrated by Robyn Wilson-Owen Hope in a Scary World series
Tiny Owl ISBN 978-1910328446 £7.99 A charming picture book about a little girl who loves a beautiful flower. She talks to it every day, and the flower blooms. Then the angry owner of the flower shouts at her. The next day, the flower does not open and stays tight shut. The owner is mystified and…
Together written and illustrated Jane Chapman
Little Tiger ISBN: 9781788816793 £11.99 An atmospheric picture book that highlights the special relationship between two gorillas The illustrations are an important part of the book. We start with an appealing picture of a tiny face surrounded by shady leaves. Then we are shown a close up of the baby gorilla’s face. Rain brings the…
Mole Hill written and illustrated by Alex Latimer
OUP ISBN:978019277256-5 £6.99 Mole is a single parent living happily underground with his two children until one day they awake to the choking smell of diesel. Outside he finds three enormous diggers, intent upon destroying his home in order to build a shopping mall. How can one very small mole possibly persuade them to do…
Recycling (An Eco Baby Series book) by Lorna Freytag
Studio Press ISBN 9781787416703 £6.99 Eco Baby is a series of bright, bold books introducing the very youngest of children to environmental issues. This hardback book on recycling is a good way for very young children to start to understand about recycling and different ways of reusing materials. It is very much a book to be…
The Astronaut’s Cat written and illustrated by Tohby Riddle
Allen & Unwin ISBN 9781760524944 £11.99 The author, Tohby Riddle, is widely known for his picture story books. This is a very clever story based around the curiosity of a cat and celebrates the wonders of the moon and the beauty of the earth. The model for this story is the author’s own cat. Riddle…
Curious Kids: Sea and Shore by Jonny Marx Illustrated by Christiane Engel
Caterpillar Books ISBN 9781848579903 £10.99 This book is for children aged 3 and over. It starts cleverly with sunrise on the first double page spread and ends with sunset on the last double page. As you read the book a wide variety of sea and shore creatures pop up on the pages. Children will meet…
Who is in the Egg? Written and illustrated by Alexandra Milton
Boxer Books ISBN 9781912757626 £11.99 The clear, crisp, bold illustrations of this beautifully produced large format picture book would be an ideal accompaniment to board books for early book experience, but there’s enough language and interest to capture the imagination of older readers. We learn that eggs come in many different sizes and indeed it’s…
This Is Crab by Harriet Evans Illustrated by Jacqui Lee
Caterpillar Books ISBN 9781848579842 £10.99 The cheerful cover sets the tone for this “gripping, tipping, nipping interactive book. The colours are bright, the lettering clear and the artwork is appealing. Inside we are introduced to Crab, and are invited to wave our “arms in the air like claws to say hello”. On the next page…
The Mega Magic Teacher Swap by Rochelle Humes Illustrated by Rachel Suzanne
Studio Press ISBN 9781787416017 £6.99 Mai and Rose are friends. They love Mrs Bee, their teacher, and do not want to move to their new class and their new teacher. If only they could stay with Miss Bee forever. Coco, Mai’s magic coconut, helps, but things do not turn out as the girls expect. This…
Meet the Grumblies by John Kelly Illustrated by Carmen Saldaña
Little Tiger ISBN 9781788815765 £11.99 The cover of this book shows Grumble-Stick, Grumble-Rope and Grumble-Mud, who are assertive and confrontational. They bicker, until the peace of the village is disrupted by the arrival of the hungry Gobblestomp. The Grumblies unite to combat their ferocious opponent. The alliance works, and their solution involves a combination of…
Lisette’s Green Sock written and illustrated by Catarina Valckx
Gecko Press ISBN 9781776572830 £11.99 A delightful story by Dutch author/illustrator Catarina Valckx. Lisette the duck is delighted to find a pretty green sock. She enjoys wearing it until Tomcat and Timcat tease her about not wearing a pair. Lisette looks high and low, but cannot find the other sock. Her friend, Bert, comes to…
La-La-Llama by Matilda Rose Illustrated by Tim Budgen
Hodder ISBN 9781444955835 £6.99 Prince Leo comes to the Magic Pet Shop in Twinkleton-Under-Beanstalk to collect a special pet delivery. Prince Leo, is very shy and does all he can to avoid attention. His pet is La-La-Lalama, a magic llama who loves singing. She accompanies Leo while he does his homework, goes to the library…
Flip Flap Snap! Pets by Carmen Saldana
Templar Books ISBN 9781787416598 £9.99 This book is such fun! It is a mix and match pop-up book featuring puppy, rabbit, gecko, kitten and budgerigar. The pop-ups are fascinating and the pets’ eyes are appealing. We see the sounds they make and there is information about each pet under the flaps, written as poems, such…
Curious Kids: Bugs and Minibeasts by Jonny Marx Illustrated by Christiane Engel
Little Tiger ISBN 9781848579880 £10.99 A robustly produced book with pop-ups on each page, this would be an engaging introduction to the world of nature on the doorstep. We meet caterpillars and butterflies, tadpoles and frogs, spiders, bees, ants and other creepy crawlies. Simple facts are given for each creature along with some more intriguing…
I Am A Bird by Isabel Otter Illustrated by Fernando Martin
Little Tiger ISBN 9781838910334 £11.99 An appealing informative book where we meet a bird who takes us “a tour of the skies” and introduces us to other birds. Vivid orange colour runs throughout the book and has impact. Facts are clearly presented and are accessible. I particularly like the picture of the bird with captions…
My School Unicorn by Willow Evans Illustrated by Tom Knight
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444956429 £6.99 The book opens with Evie enjoying the best part of the day – story time with Dad. Evie is worrying about moving from nursery to big school. Evie and Dad visit Madame Lexi’s Uniform Emporium. When she puts on her uniform she finds a teeny-tiny unicorn called Bobby in…
Oi Aardvark by Kes Gray. Illustrated by Jim Field
Hachette Children’s Books ISBN 978444955910 £12.99 More or less exactly what you’d expect from another in the successful and popular series of Oi Frog and Oi Dog books. This is another comically and colourfully illustrated book of quirky animals and the rhyming places that bossy frog says they can sit. This time, however, frog is attempting…
Where the Sea Meets the Sky by Peter Bently Illustrated by Rico Sekiguchi
Holder Children’s Books ISBN 97814449463-7 £12.99 Like all youngsters, Sophie the sea-otter is curious and from her vantage point floating on top of her mum, she becomes transfixed by the point at which the sea meets the sky: the horizon. Ignoring her mother’s advice that no-one should try to reach it, she slips away while…
The Night the Reindeer Saved Christmas by Raj Kaur Khaira Illustrated by Kasia Nowowiejska
Studio Press ISBN 9781787417823 £6.99 It is almost Christmas Eve and suddenly Mr Claus faces a crisis. Elves have decorated Mr Claus’ sleigh with tinsel and the rockets have exploded. There is no way to deliver Christmas presents. Mr Claus tries to find a creature that can help. Polar bears, narwhals, kittiwakes and arctic foxes…
The Night After Christmas by Kes Gray Illustrated by Claire Powell
Hodder ISBN 9781444954661 £6.99 This book is great fun. The glittery cover suggests the delights that are within. At last all the Christmas presents have been delivered so Santa and his team of elves can relax and have their Boxing-night party. The North Pole is full of crackers, including one the size of a bus,…
Monster Christmas by Giles Andreae Illustrated by Nikki Dyson
Orchard ISBN 9781408357620 £12.99 A refreshingly different Christmas book from the author of Giraffes Can’t Dance. Father Christmas is feeling old, so he advertises for “someone young and different” to do the job. A young monster applies. Father Christmas trains him, and he starts in the grotto. When the children see he is a monster they…
Like A Giant by Marc Daniau Illustrated by Yvan Duque
Tate Publishing ISBN 9781849767279 £11.99 A most impressive picture book that opens with a mysterious giant waking up. On the next page “through the mists of time the giant will come to take me on an adventure”. The sparse poetic text takes us on her dramatic adventure round the world. The vibrant illustrations are enchanting…
Kindness by Helen Mortimer and Cristina Trapanese
Big Words For Little People Oxford ISBN 9780192777492 £5.99 A charming, child-friendly book that explores and demonstrates how we can bring more kindness onto the world. Sensitive illustrations suggest children’s feelings and can be used to prompt discussion. Topics covered include welcoming; sharing; giving, (not just things but encouragement and comfort); understanding; listening; helping; caring;…
I Really Want To Shout! by Simon Philip Illustrated by Lucia Gaggiotti
Templar ISBN 9781787416802 £6.99 An entertaining picture book about a little girl who gets angry and REALLY wants to shout. The illustrations are excellent at conveying the girl’s exasperation and feelings. The author provides ways in which she can manage her anger. The story is humorous and entertaining, and the rhymes mean it reads well…
Everything Is Mine written and illustrated by Andrea D’Aquino
Tate Publishing ISBN 9781849766920 £11.99 An entertaining story about Marcello the dog. He is “kind, clever and very loyal” but he believes everything is his. Slippers, a pork chop, an acorn, a tree, a park, other people’s letters, his home, an entire building, a city, the entire country, continents and oceans are all part of…
Christmas Lights by Ruth Symons Illustrated by Carolina Rabei
Templar ISBN 9781787416680 £12.99 This book is an exciting read. A young girl and her father are driving home for Christmas. The clever engineering enables the reader to share the journey. First we open a gate, then we turn a wheel and see the northern lights and the starlight. I enjoyed the pull out showing…
Wild written and illustrated by Sam Usher
Templar ISBN 9781787416857 £6.99 This is another delightful tale of a young boy and his grandfather written and illustrated by Sam Usher. In this adventure they are looking after a cat for the day. The young boy thinks that he knows how to look after the visitor, but this is not your average cat. It…
Where’s the toilet roll? A poo-packed search and find
Orchard Books ISBN 9781408363973 £6.99 Oh the irony of a children’s book called “Where’s the toilet roll?”. In the year that gave us a global pandemic, an unprecedented lockdown and stockpiling, who can forget the news headlines and images of empty shelves as the nation engaged as one in toilet roll buying panic. I’m sure Orchard…
Unicorn Club by Suzy Senior Illustrated by Leire Martin
Little Tiger ISBN 9781788813877 £6.99 When Amy advertised her Saturday morning Unicorn Club she was disappointed that none of her friends came. But of course, read it a little differently and it’s not a club for people, but for unicorns! Unicorns have become a hugely popular theme in recent years and this shiny pink and…
Superhero Baby by Patricia Hegarty and Alex Willmore
Little Tiger ISBN 9781788815925 £11.99 In 2018 a research project funded by the CLPE and the Arts Council, discovered that only 1% of children’s books featured BAME characters which is a woeful statistic considering in 2017, 32% of schoolchildren in England were of minority ethnic origins. It is therefore refreshing to encounter an everyday picture…
Pug Hug written and illustrated by Zehra Hicks
Hodder Children’s Books ISBN 9781444949988 £6.99 Pug’s adorable face looks out at us from the cover of this book. He is desperate for a hug. He approaches a variety of different creatures including cat, hamster, rabbit, fish, parrots and crocodile – but none will give him a hug. Pug does not give up and has…
Poo in the Zoo – The Great Poo Mystery by Steve Smallman. Illustrated by Ada Grey
Little Tiger ISBN 978178881676-2 £6.99 Steve Smallman has added to his growing collection of reliably enjoyable stories to read aloud to children with the highly entertaining Poo in the Zoo – the Great Poo Mystery. Illustrated by Ada Grey whose bright jolly depictions of anthropomorphic zoo animals, (think giraffes knitting extra-long socks), add beautifully to this tale…
Lenny Makes a Wish written and illustrated by Paula Metcalf
Oxford University Press ISBN 9780192758866 £6.99 Another book aimed at the EYFS market from Oxford Owls. Lenny the rabbit is out picking spring flowers for his mother when he meets a ‘fish’ swimming all alone in a pond. Being the kindly chap he is, he offers friendship, but of course there is a problem: they…
Belonging Street: Poems and Illustrations by Mandy Coe
Otter-Barry, ISBN:978191307480-7 £7.99 This is an exuberant anthology with subjects ranging from daily life incidents, concepts of time, the joys of cycling and the greening of cities with riddles, puzzles and contrasting pairs of poems (lake/city or hush a’clock/storm a’clock) along the way. Some poems have a clear rhythm: ‘Tower block, tower block, bridge, bridge,…
Cook With Me! Bunny Makes Breakfast by Kathryn Smith Illustrated by Seb Braun
ISBN: 9781912756230 Little Tiger £7.99 A charming cookery book for young children. Readers help Little Bunny make a delicious meal with Big Bunny. Prompts encourage us to peer beneath the 35 flaps and find ingredients, and some surprises! The illustrations are delightful. I particularly liked the henhouse and the barn! Back in the kitchen there…
Page 1 of 1
