Daydreams and Jellybeans is a collection of wonderful poems from Alex Wharton that are full of life and fun. These engaging observations of everyday life are bursting with rich imagery. With both playful and meaningful topics, children will thoroughly enjoy exploring the language as they read, listen to and recite these poems. Poetry is just… Continue reading Daydreams and Jellybeans by Alex Wharton & illustrated by Katy Riddell
Written from the charming point of view of Pickles the dog, The Dog that Saved the World (Cup) is a wonderful combination of a fun football story and a powerful, empathetic look at child poverty in the UK. Pickles thinks football is the best thing in the world. He, Dad and Elsie make a great… Continue reading The Dog that Saved the World (Cup) by Phil Earle & illustrated by Elissa Paganelli
Melt is a powerful portrayal of Inuit culture, traditions and how we are all shaped by the world around us. Questions about courage, friendship and standing up for what is right are key to the incredible life and death adventure at the centre of this brilliant story. The impact of climate change is described in… Continue reading Melt by Ele Fountain
We're thrilled to have a guest post from the author herself, Bethany Walker: Chocolate Milk, X-Ray Specs and Me – An unconventional spy story Think of your favourite spy story. Does it contain attractive, suave secret agents? Is it set in a very glamorous location? Is the villain intent on taking over the world? Are… Continue reading Chocolate Milk, X-ray Specs and Me by Bethany Walker & illustrated by Jack Noel – Blog Tour with Special Guest Post by the Author!
Bursting with next generation aliens, dangerous spores, a survival bunker and an evil teacher everyone wanted to forget, Crater Lake: Evolution is a gripping page-turner that demands to be read in one sitting! Jennifer Killick is a science fiction genius with a sequel that is even better than the original. Lance and his friends will… Continue reading Crater Lake: Evolution by Jennifer Killick
Eleven year-old Stella is going to spend the summer with her grandpa on Shetland Island. She’s full of mixed feelings – memories of good times when Grandma was alive (puffins, selkies, hot chocolate and the lighthouse) but nervous about spending an entire summer away from her parents with the sea, boats and Grandpa who just… Continue reading The Weather Weaver by Tamsin Mori
Review by Lucy (age 10, Year 6) Stick Boy is a book about a boy who is literately a stick boy. The entire world is in 3D whilst Stick Boy is just a stick. He was bullied by lots of different kids at his old school so he had to move to a different city… Continue reading Stick Boy by Paul Coomey – Blog Tour & Special Guest Post by the Author!
The Widdershins sisters are back with their third magical fantasy adventure. They are finally leaving their home in Poacher’s Pocket, a ramshackle pub on Crowstone Island. Moving on from the gloom of the prison and the Sorrow Isles, they journey to the mainland and a bright future. Fliss, Betty and Charlie, along with Father, Granny… Continue reading A Tangle of Spells by Michelle Harrison
Barrington Stoke have teamed up with Phil Earle and Steve May to create another brilliant Little Gems story for young readers (age 5-8). As an early chapter book, it builds confidence through manageable sections of text, short chapters and many large, colourful illustrations. Children will develop their reading endurance with this incredibly appetizing story. Albert’s… Continue reading Albert Johnson and the Buns of Steel by Phil Earle & illustrated by Steve May
There is no doubt that Animal Farm is a classic. It’s being studied in secondary schools around the country. My own daughter read it in Year 7 and loved the connections to politics and the Russian Revolution. It is fantastic that Barrington Stoke has released this brilliant story in a dyslexia-friendly, unabridged edition. With specially-designed… Continue reading Animal Farm by George Orwell
