Thirst is a completely unique and totally captivating YA folk horror tale for those who love to imagine what might happen if nature has too much power. Deliciously magical, it follows the stories of Gorse and Faye - two teens who strive to do what's best for their families while trying to make sense of… Continue reading Thirst by Darren Simpson
Click on the covers to find out more or purchase on-line from Bookshop.org: The Carousel Horse by Tony Mitton & Penny Neville-Lee (Bloomsbury) The Carousel Horse is an absolutely stunning story about following your dreams and finding out where you belong. Glittering carousels have such a magical appeal. There's always that 'what if'... What if… Continue reading Perfect Picture Books – Autumn 2024
Return to a Once Upon a Time where anything is possible . . . Rumaysa: Ever After is the enchanting sequel to Radiya Hafiza's Rumaysa: A Fairytale – a gorgeously empowering and funny story that spins the classic fairytale to show that anyone can be a hero.Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who's the fiercest one of all? Rumaysa is… Continue reading Rumaysa Ever After by Radiya Hafiza & illustrated by Rhaida El Touny ~ Blog Tour
Antigua de Fortune of the High Seas by Anna Rainbow & Oli Hyatt is a pirate story with a difference. Overflowing with the folklore of the sea, the Pirate King shows the people of Haven that the stories of an ancient curse are real and when the Bloodmoon comes, there is definitely something to fear!… Continue reading Antigua de Fortune of the High Seas by Anna Rainbow & Oli Hyatt ~ Blog Tour
The Story of Babushka is a delightful tale of being true to yourself and finding your place in the world. The Matryoshka (Russian Nesting Doll) is a charming symbol of Russian folk culture and represents the beautiful layers of women. In this story, we meet the lovely Babushka made up of five unique dolls. Each… Continue reading The Story of Babushka by Catherine Flores & illustrated by Ana Beatriz Marques
The Clockwork Crow is an engaging combination of Welsh folklore and clockwork magic. This gothic Christmas tale is a must read for every fan of fairies, frost and mysteries. Seren Rhys is an orphan who has lost everyone close to her. As she travels to live with her godfather and his family is a small… Continue reading The Clockwork Crow by Catherine Fisher
Dark, mysterious, captivating… The Vanishing Trick pulled me in from the very first moment Leander spotted the strange, black carriage and met the eerie Madame Pinchbeck. “It wasn’t a sin to steal if you only took forgotten things” and this lost, forgotten, empty boy needs nothing more than to belong – to someone, to something.… Continue reading The Vanishing Trick by Jenni Spangler & illustrated by Chris Mould
The Mermaid Atlas is a fascinating encyclopaedia of mermaids and other mythical water creatures from all around the world. So many people picture mermaids as the conventional “Little Mermaid” but there is so much to these magical beings. This book explores each continent in turn as well as focussing on mermaid homes, ancient mermaids, mermaid… Continue reading The Mermaid Atlas: Merfolk of the World by Anna Claybourne & illustrated by Miren Asiain Lora
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
In April 2020, I asked this question to teachers, authors and book reviewers on Twitter. Over the next two days, I received the most wonderful array of recommendations that will keep us reading for months! Most recommended (Click on the titles to read my reviews): Crater Lake by Jennifer Killick (Sequel - Crater Lake: Evolution)… Continue reading What is the best new children’s book you’ve read recently?
Scope for Imagination 