Book Review, Picture Books

The Thing at 52 by Ross Montgomery & Richard Johnson

July 2023 The Thing at 52 by Ross Montgomery & Richard Johnson is a beautiful, charming story of friendship, loss and learning to say good-bye. There’s a strange Thing living in the neighbourhood. Who is it? What is it? Why is it so alone? When a little girl decides to reach out in kindness (with… Continue reading The Thing at 52 by Ross Montgomery & Richard Johnson

Blog Tour, Book Review, Non-fiction Books

I Have the Right by Reza Dalvand ~ Blog Tour

Understanding the Rights of the Child is key for helping children build confidence in their identity, know their worth in the world, and find their voice. Simple and straightforward yet so powerful and clear, I Have the Right is the book every school, every classroom and every home needs to ensure children are secure in… Continue reading I Have the Right by Reza Dalvand ~ Blog Tour

Blog Tour, Book Review, Picture Books

Thunderboots by Naomi Jones & Rebecca Ashdown ~ Blog Tour

Thunder Boots is a delightful picture book celebrating everyone's unique talents and abilities. Encouraging acceptance, teamwork and an understanding that there is more than one way to learn, this is a wonderful book for EYFS classrooms. Told from a very young point of view, it will help teachers understand the children coming into their classrooms… Continue reading Thunderboots by Naomi Jones & Rebecca Ashdown ~ Blog Tour

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Boy Who Made Monsters by Jenny Pearson

In October 2019, I created my first post for Scope for Imagination. Today I'm celebrating my 700th post with a very special book. The Boy Who Made Monsters is everything that's good about children's literature. It is engaging, funny, heartfelt and speaks truth. It does not hide from issues faced by children. Instead, it approaches… Continue reading The Boy Who Made Monsters by Jenny Pearson

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Funniest Boy in the World by Helen Rutter

February 2023 The Funniest Boy in the World is overflowing with laughs and a whole lot of heart. Ever-charming Billy Plimpton is back! Buoyed by the success of his stand-up comedian act in the school talent show, he’s determined to make it as a comic. He’s learning to embrace his stammer and accept it as… Continue reading The Funniest Boy in the World by Helen Rutter

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

The Night Animals by Sarah Ann Juckes

Sarah Ann Juckes' middle grade novel, The Night Animals, is a beautiful exploration of our determination to always be strong and "fine", even when faced with difficult circumstances. Through gentle story-telling that shimmers with hope, readers see that everyone needs help sometimes and come to understand what it really means to be strong. Nora's mum… Continue reading The Night Animals by Sarah Ann Juckes

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction, Young Adult

Fight Back by A.M. Dassu

Fight Back by A.M. Dassu is an important and powerful story. It should be read by adults as much as by the young people for whom it was written. In a similar vein to A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll, it reveals issues of identity, respect, community and empowerment that need to be recognised… Continue reading Fight Back by A.M. Dassu

Book Review, Middle Grade Fiction

A Flash of Fireflies by Aisha Bushby

I sat down to make a start on A Flash of Fireflies and ended up reading the entire thing. I was completely drawn in by the magic and mystery of this unique story - a completely enchanting twist on fairy tales, forests and witches. Hazel's world is turned upside-down. Sent on her own from Kuwait… Continue reading A Flash of Fireflies by Aisha Bushby

Blog Tour, Book Review, Picture Books

Happy Sad by Pippa Goodhart & Augusta Kirkwood ~ Blog Tour

Even when life is fun, full of friends and absolutely joyful, we can still have mixed-emotions - the feeling of being Happy Sad. Toby learns about this feeling when he meets a stranded mermaid in a rock pool near his home by the sea. He takes her to his house and looks after her the… Continue reading Happy Sad by Pippa Goodhart & Augusta Kirkwood ~ Blog Tour