The lilt of haunting music carried on the breeze; a soft, velvety laugh; a magical toy carousel turning in the night – The Velvet Fox is the spine-tingling sequel to Catherine Fisher’s brilliant story, The Clockwork Crow. Seren and Tomos have become firm friends in Plas-y-Fran since their first dangerous encounter with the magical Tylwyth… Continue reading The Velvet Fox by Catherine Fisher
The Castle of Tangled Magic is a book full of the anticipation of something truly special. The wisdom of the elderly, ancient magic and Russian folklore flows off the page in language full of wonder and enchantment. Sophie Anderson is a master storyteller with a richness unparalleled and an ability to draw readers into gloriously… Continue reading The Castle of Tangled Magic by Sophie Anderson
The Book of Selkie by Canadian author Briana Corr Scott is an absolutely gorgeous poetry picture book explaining the mystical creature of the sea – the Selkie. With rich, earthy colours and water that shimmers like gems, the illustrations draw readers in with a magical charm. A spell is cast as we enter the world… Continue reading The Book of Selkie by Briana Corr Scott
I'm really pleased to have been asked to write an article for True Education Partnerships with my top recommendations for children's books this summer. The article also includes some fun summer reading challenges. Click here to go to the article Click on the covers below to find out more or purchase on-line from Amazon.
The Ship of Shadows, beautifully crafted by Maria Kuzniar, is a book to be read slowly. Savour the intricate descriptions that cause the Spanish and Moroccan settings to leap of the page and into your imagination. Aleja is a girl hungry for adventure. Inspired by stories of explorers and pirates, she longs for a life… Continue reading The Ship of Shadows by Maria Kuzniar
I’m so excited to be a part of the blog tour for Esme’s Gift by Elizabeth Foster, published by Odyssey Books. This middle grade / young adult fantasy adventure is the sequel to the heart-stopping story Esme’s Wish. This is a story of time: the past and the present, time travel, time standing still, time… Continue reading Esme’s Gift by Elizabeth Foster
Girls can do anything and Grace is determined to prove it! Never mind the rules – 947 of them to be precise – telling her all of the things she can’t do! Do not climb the castle turrets, do not lie to the king, do not stay in the bath until your skin goes wrinkly… Continue reading Do Not Disturb the Dragons by Michelle Robinson & illustrated by Sharon Davey
Eloise Williams writes with magic and passion. Her latest book, Wilde, is the perfect combination of the everyday trials of Year 6 and a wonderfully mystical story. Wilde is a young girl with a whole collection of troubles. When she arrives at her aunt’s house in the town of Witch Point in Wales, she knows… Continue reading Wilde by Eloise Williams
Even when things seem at their darkest, there is always a flicker of light. The Midnight Guardians by Ross Montgomery is so much more than a story about the Second World War. It explores darkness, light, hope and love within layers and layers of meaning. Both the internal and external battles portrayed in this story… Continue reading The Midnight Guardians by Ross Montgomery
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
Scope for Imagination 