The Case of the Smuggler's Curse by Mark Dawson (Welbeck Flame) Fans of middle grade mysteries and classic children's adventure stories will love The Case of the Smuggler's Curse! A ghostly figure on the beach, stories of smugglers and shadowy winter evenings make this the perfect book to curl up with. Something is going on… Continue reading Middle Grade Spring Collection
Tom Palmer tells a heart-wrenching story of strength, courage and sacrifice in a time when Nazis took everything. The reality of war-time life in German-occupied Netherlands is described with details that really mean something to young readers - family, friendships, giving up passions like dance and music, giving up a childhood to risk everything to… Continue reading Resist by Tom Palmer
Shapeshifting creatures, unknown powers, a twin connection and a enchanted forest that leads to Fairyland... Peter Bunzl has created a wonderfully classical tale that celebrates magic, family and finding out who you are. Tempest only remembers bits of her past. Living near the river with her two adoptive fathers brings her so much happiness. She… Continue reading Magicborn by Peter Bunzl
The Girl Who Lost a Leopard is the third book from Nizrana Farook written in her signature style with breath-taking description of the mountains of Serendib (Sri Lanka) and heart-pounding adventure. Selvi is most happy out in the wild with Lokka, a rare golden leopard. When a group of poachers comes for him, she is… Continue reading The Girl Who Lost a Leopard by Nizrana Farook
https://www.instagram.com/reel/CcM_yQbOaz_/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Every Cloud is fantastic book about a girl called Amy who is in Year 6 and is waiting to find out what high school she’s going to. She’s really hoping to go to Valley High with the rest of her friends but since she’s moved house, it’s looking like that might not happen. She… Continue reading Every Cloud by Ros Roberts ~ Review by Lucy, age 12 ~ Blog Tour
Nightmare Warning - Don't read this book right before you go to bed!!! (I made this mistake and had some very strange dreams!) Dread Wood by Jennifer Killick is seriously creepy! Something's lurking underground, waiting to pounce on its next prey. Mysterious openings in the school field, a long hairy leg, and groundskeepers whistling an… Continue reading Dread Wood by Jennifer Killick ~ Blog Tour
Max Counts to a Million is the first proper COVID-19 story I've read. It follows Max, an ordinary boy, who is experiencing all the unknowns and anxieties of lockdown and the huge impact it is having on his family. This is a story that will resonate with children. They will see themselves in Max as… Continue reading Max Counts to a Million by Jeremy Williams
The Looking Book is perfect for those who love to doodle and sketch with page after page of prompts and challenges that are sure to inspire children to look more closely at the world around them. Specific artistic skills are explained in child-friendly language and with plenty of space to observe and practise. Still lifes,… Continue reading The Looking Book by Lucia Vinti
We Sang Across the Sea: The Empire Windrush and Me by Benjamin Zephaniah and illustrated by Onyinye Iwu is the inspiring story of Mona Baptiste - a singer and actress born in Trinidad in 1928. At the age of 20, she travelled to England on the Empire Windrush wanting nothing more than to sing. She… Continue reading We Sang Across the Sea by Benjamin Zephaniah & Onyinye Iwu
Bumblebee Grumblebee by David Elliot A wonderfully fun play on words, Bumblebee Grumblebee encourages children to experiment with sounds and enjoy the silliness of language. Each page depicts an activity from a small child's life - getting dressed, playing, even going to the potty - and twists it into something funny. This beautifully illustrated board… Continue reading Fantastic Picture Books from Gecko Press
Scope for Imagination 