'Neverland' conjurs up so many images - Peter Pan, the magic of childhood, Captain Hook, fairies and never having to grow up. I used to tell my daughter we'd find our way to Neverland one day and she would always watch for 'the second star to the right'. From the very first page of this… Continue reading Saving Neverland by Abi Elphinstone
Barrington Stoke books are wonderful in their diversity, ability to evoke thoughtful emotion and incredibly enjoyable stories. Written by top-notch, current authors, they are the gold-standard of quality and appropriateness for today's children. With dyslexia-friendly font, spacing and page tint, everyone can enjoy these books. The manageable length and carefully chosen vocabulary encourages success and… Continue reading Brilliant Middle Grade from Barrington Stoke ~ Autumn 2022
My Review: The Chestnut Roaster is a uniquely captivating story - atmospheric Parisian history mixed with a healthy dose of fantasy runs through the mysterious catacombs of this engaging city. The villain is truly evil and the children who are determined to stop him are clever, creative and feisty. The adults are unable to help… Continue reading The Chestnut Roaster by Eve McDonnell ~ Blog Tour
Don't expect a cozy, comforting, Christmasy tale when you pick up The Vanishing of Aveline Jones. Yes, there is hot chocolate, snow and promises of festive events but the darkness of the town of Scarbury is too powerful for even the merriest of visitors. It's nearly the shortest day of the year when Aveline, her… Continue reading The Vanishing of Aveline Jones by Phil Hickes & Keith Robinson
Summer 2022 has been so jam-packed with brilliant children's books that it would be very easy to miss some real gems. Game Changer by Tom Palmer (Rebellion) Tom Palmer is an author with so many incredible talents. From his stunning historical fiction to his action-fuelled football adventures, his books are must-haves for school libraries. Timed… Continue reading Super Summer Reads You Might Have Missed
The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name is something totally different. I was intrigued by the amazing proof box that arrived last week and it jumped up my reading pile. I wasn't disappointed. This story is a very special combination of creative characterisation, magical evil, a captivating mystery and ever-evolving relationships. Told from the… Continue reading (A Girl Called Corpse) The Girl, the Ghost and the Lost Name by Reece Carter
Sometimes you come across a story that jumps off the page so visually that it seems like you're watching a film instead of reading words on a page. Mia and the Lightcasters is one of those books. Packed full of action, mystery and personal struggle from the very first page, readers will be swept up… Continue reading Mia and the Lightcasters by Janelle McCurdy ~ Blog Tour
The Wind Child by Gabriela Houston is a wonderful journey through traditional Slavic folklore. Perfect for fans of Sophie Anderson and The Girl Who Speaks Bear, this story weaves the reality of human grief and desire with magical powers not always understood or controlled. Mara is the granddaughter of the God of the Winter Winds.… Continue reading The Wind Child by Gabriela Houston
The Dragon in the Bookshop is a powerful story about childhood bereavement, friendship and finding strength. Ewa Jozefkowiez gives her characters a voice even when they're unable to speak. When Kon's father dies, he finds comfort in quiet. More than anything, he wants to be the intrepid explorer Dad always encouraged him to be -… Continue reading The Dragon in the Bookshop by Ewa Jozefkowiez ~ Blog Tour & Guest Post
Autumn Moonbeam: Dance Magic is just the book my dance-loving daughter would have adored when she was a little bit younger. Just like my little girl, Autumn is a twin who is trying to find where she belongs. When Sparkledale Dance Academy opens up for auditions for the Black Cats dance squad, Autumn can't wait… Continue reading Autumn Moonbeam: Dance Magic by Emma Finlayson-Palmer & Heidi Cannon
Scope for Imagination 