Books from Barrington Stoke are so often my go-to recommendations for teachers and parents. First and foremost, they are fantastically engaging stories from some of the best, current authors in the UK. The quality of the writing is incredible and children are soon carried away in the adventures. What makes Barrington Stoke books really special… Continue reading Brilliant Books from Barrington Stoke – September 2021
Marvellous Machines is a very cool book about all sorts of incredible machines and inventions. It includes a very special magic lens that shows readers the inner workings of the technology with lots of surprises! We’ve explored this book for hours finding new discoveries on every page! From the simplest levers, pulleys and gears to… Continue reading Marvellous Machines by Jane Wilsher & Andres Lozano
I can’t wait for the world to meet Harley Hitch! She’s sassy and smart, impulsive and full of initiative – such a fantastic role model for girls and boys. Harley Hitch and the Iron Forest is a delightful romp through a mechanical forest bursting with STEM-fuelled girl power! Harley lives in Inventia with her dog,… Continue reading Harley Hitch and the Iron Forest by Vashti Hardy & George Ermos
In March 2020, I read Orphans of the Tide and was blown away by the intensity of the story and power of the symbolism. Click here to read my review of Orphans of the Tide. Shipwreck Island is the brilliant sequel to Orphans of the Tide – the second in the trilogy. Readers are reunited… Continue reading Shipwreck Island by Struan Murray
Stephen Hawking from the Trailblazers biography series is an incredibly detailed look at this great scientist’s life. It is respectful of children’s abilities and desires to understand more complex details as it delves into Hawking’s theories, discoveries and amazing legacy. This book is perfect for anyone who loves science and admires Hawking’s work. There is… Continue reading Stephen Hawking – Trailblazers Series by Alex Woolf
We love cat stories in our house and this one takes it to the extreme! What could be better than a giant cat, robots and aliens?! One Button Benny and the Gigantic Catastrophe is the laugh-out-loud sequel to the award-winning picture book, One Button Benny. In this exciting story, Benny faces a new emergency and… Continue reading One Button Benny and the Gigantic Catastrophe by Alan Windram & illustrated by Chloe Holwill-Hunter
A Robot Ate My Grandma is the third book in a fun, laugh-out-loud series about a family with a very clever grandmother who invents robots to make their lives easier. In this instalment, Jake and his twin sister, Jess, are taking part in the school performance of Little Red Riding Hood. When they go to… Continue reading A Robot Ate My Grandma by Dave Cousins & illustrated by Catalina Echeverri
Rocket Boy shows just how much children can achieve when left alone with their imagination and a very big cardboard box! Like a slightly more grown-up “Whatever Next” by Jill Murphy, Rocket Boy is an exciting space adventure with a trusty sidekick. Callum is an absolute gold-mine of facts about the universe. He is always… Continue reading Rocket Boy by Katie Jennings & illustrated by Joe Lillington
Eleven-year-old Dylan dreams of a wonderful future – a future where he grows up on his family’s farm in Wales, builds a treehouse and plays with his friends by the river. Then, suddenly, one phone call changes everything. A huge pharmaceutical company wants to buy the farm and his family will have to leave. Dylan… Continue reading My Name is River by Emma Rea
Vashti Hardy has done it again! The Griffin Gate is exactly the kind of story children are looking for: adventure, mystery and a strong sense of family – with a bossy robotic raven thrown in! Teaming up with talented illustrator Natalie Smillie, this story jumps off the page and dares readers to go with Grace… Continue reading The Griffin Gate by Vashti Hardy & illustrated by Natalie Smillie
Scope for Imagination 