Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

Fierce, Fearless and Free by Lari Don & illustrated by Eilidh Muldoon

Fierce, Fearless and Free is a wonderful collection of powerful girls in myths and legends from around the world. From Armenia to Lithuania to Scotland to Mexico to China to Siberia, heroines in thirteen tales from across the globe will inspire children with their strength and wit. There is something for everyone and plenty to… Continue reading Fierce, Fearless and Free by Lari Don & illustrated by Eilidh Muldoon

Book Review, Picture Books

AB Gets His Wings by Richard Bland & Rosie Philpott

AB is a loveable teddy bear who lives on the shelf of a warehouse. Every day he waits patiently, hoping this will be the day he is chosen to go and live with a new family. Each evening, he loves to fly with the toy planes that sit on the highest shelves. He zooms around… Continue reading AB Gets His Wings by Richard Bland & Rosie Philpott

Book Review, Picture Books

Nell & the Circus of Dreams by Nell Gifford & Briony May Smith

Nell’s mother is ill and her farmhouse is so quiet. Then one day a little lost chick changes her life. Following her chick across the fields, Nell discovers the most amazing circus community full of excitement, daring, bright colours and, most importantly, friendship. Nell loves the circus and is swept away by the magic and… Continue reading Nell & the Circus of Dreams by Nell Gifford & Briony May Smith

Book Review, Early Reader

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren & illustrated by Mini Grey

One of the world’s favourite redheads is back in updated editions of her wonderful stories illustrated by Mini Grey and published by Oxford University Press to celebrate her 75th anniversary. When her 7-year-old daughter was ill, author Astrid Lindgren was looking for a way to entertain her and began telling imaginative stories. The wonderful Pippi Longstocking… Continue reading Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren & illustrated by Mini Grey

Book Review, Early Reader

Kitty and the Treetop Adventure by Paula Harrison & Jenny Lovlie

Girl by day, Cat by night, Ready for Adventure Kitty is ready to be a superhero and use her feline powers to help others! With the wonderful ability to talk to cats, Kitty and her cat crew of Pumpkin, Figaro, Pixie and Katsumi make sure their neighbourhood is happy and safe. She is as charming… Continue reading Kitty and the Treetop Adventure by Paula Harrison & Jenny Lovlie

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Mask of Aribella by Anna Hoghton

I first fell in love with the mysteries of Venice many, many years ago. As a child, I listened to the audio book “Vivaldi’s Ring of Mysteries” with gondolas, masks, music and the Island of the Dead. In 2017, I was so fortunate to visit this floating city myself. I was enchanted by the maze-like… Continue reading The Mask of Aribella by Anna Hoghton

Book Review, Non-fiction Books

The Good Thing About Bad Days by Margaret McAllister & Nigel Baines

Everyone has bad days. There is no way around it. It’s how you deal with those bad days that makes all the difference and remember, the good thing about bad days is that they come to an end. The bad times don’t last forever. The Good Thing About Bad Days is a practical, thoughtful guide… Continue reading The Good Thing About Bad Days by Margaret McAllister & Nigel Baines

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates by Jenny Pearson

The end of Year 6 is supposed to be exciting - the start of a new adventure - but for Freddie Yates, a sudden turn of events causes him to question everything he knows. For someone who loves facts, this is very unsettling. He decides to set off on his greatest adventure to find a… Continue reading The Super Miraculous Journey of Freddie Yates by Jenny Pearson

Article, Reading

Which Children’s Books Would You Recommend For Adults?

What a question! When I asked it on Twitter, I never imagined the number of responses I would receive: over 300 comments and more than 200 different book recommendations ranging from picture books to young adult. Favourite authors were praised too with many comments simply stating, “Anything by Katherine Rundell / Emma Carroll / Eloise… Continue reading Which Children’s Books Would You Recommend For Adults?

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The House of One Hundred Clocks by A.M. Howell

Take yourself back in time to Edwardian Cambridge: a city of learning and invention as well as hardship and loss. It’s 1905 and Helena finds herself moving to a strange house full of all kinds of clocks. The owner, Mr Westcott, is obsessed with keeping these clocks ticking. They must never stop. Helena’s father is… Continue reading The House of One Hundred Clocks by A.M. Howell