SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JULY 30th-31st

My children's books this week for The South Wales Evening Post include a thrilling crime fantasy, an environmentally friendly giant, a far too well behaved goblin and a chilling horror!  All In the Weekend Magazine Section. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

SIXOF CROWS BY LEIGH BARDUGO
YOUNG ADULT 13+

A gambler; a convict, a runaway, a killer, a magician and a criminal mastermind attempt an impossible heist for untold riches. If they don’t kill each other first! This thrilling crime fantasy mixes two popular genres together to winning effect. Reminiscent of Ocean's Eleven and Now You See Me, it is told from multiple viewpoints that continually throws up cunning schemes, red herrings and nail biting action. Richly told their epic task will enthral and exhilarate.

ISBN: 9781780622286 PB Orion Childrens Books £7.99
5/5 Stars

THELONELY GIANT BY SOPHIE AMBROSE
PICTURE BOOK 3+

A beautiful modern day fable about conserving the environment, friendship and freedom. A giant loves to destroy all that is around him but when he's left alone with no home or friends he realises his terrible mistake and is determined to rectify it. Lovingly told with winsome illustrations this will charm any child whilst teaching them to value and respect the natural world and its inhabitants. Friendship is given freely and cannot be forced.

ISBN: 9781406361544 HB Walker Books Ltd £11.99

5/5 Stars

THEGOBLIN PRINCESS:SMOKY THE DRAGON BABY BY JENNY O'CONNOR
CHILDRENS 6+

Matty ,The Goblin Princess doesn't fit in to her world. She's too tidy and doesn't like slug porridge!Worse, her new pet dragon Smoky is too well behaved for her to keep. Can she find a way to make him naughty? Will the Forest Fairies help? Great for early readers and for those who don't like their princess’s pink and fluffy but smart and feisty! Suitable for boys and girls and lovers of Shrek and Rainbow Magic

ISBN: 9780571316588 PB  Faber & Faber £5.99

4/5 Stars

THECREEPER MAN BY DAWN KURTAGICH
YOUNG ADULT 13+

Two sisters are fighting for survival in a decaying mansion. A wood surrounding them is inching closer and there's a man with no eyes lurking. What secrets lie within them that they can't release? Can their one and only friend help? With darkly seductive writing full of shocking twist and turns, gruesome discoveries and broken but beguiling characters this is perfect for lovers of horror. A frightening tale about redemption, family and forgiveness.

ISBN: 9781510101685 PB Orion Childrens Books £7.99

5/5 Stars

YOU CAN ALSO BUY THE ABOVE BOOKS FROM HIVE HERE AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSHOP AT THE SAME TIME ON www.hive.co.uk 

Hive.co.uk works hand in hand with independendent bookshops to bring you books, DVDs and ebooks. Free delivery to your local bookshop or direct to your door. Shop local, shop independent.

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JULY 23rd-24th

My children's books this week for The South Wales Evening Post include one of our greatest Olympians encouraging us to read and run, Peter Rabbit doodling in Beatrix Potters 150th Anniversary, an award winning story dealing with the sensitive issue of depression and a dystopian adventure influenced by Greek Myth!  All In the Weekend Magazine Section. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

READYSTEADY MO! BY MO FARAH & KES GRAY
PICTURE BOOK 4+
A fun book to get running and reading with Mo in the lead up to the Olympics. Join the double Olympic Gold Medallist as he runs to get dressed, with the family and even into space! The repetitive text and rhythm combined with the energetic and bold illustrations will kick start a new generation of runners and encourage early readers. Definitely too vigorous for bedtime but great for encouraging kids to get up and go!
ISBN 9781444934076 PB Hodder Childrens £6.99
5/5 Stars

PETERRABBIT:DOODLE BOOK BY BEATRIX POTTER
CHILDRENS 5+

Celebrate the 150^th Anniversary of Beatrix Potters birth with this fantastic doodle book.

A large colouring book in which you can paint, draw or scribble using the wonderful illustrations of her best loved creations such as Peter Rabbit, Jemima Puddle Duck and Tom Kitten. Children are encouraged to use their imagination or simply colour in the line drawings of their favourite characters providing hours of fun that will be sure to fire up their creativity.

ISBN 9780241258675 PB Penguin £ 7.99
4/5 Stars

AUBREYAND THE TERRIBLE YOOT BY HORATIO CLARE
CHILDRENS 8+
Rambuctious child Aubrey is determined to help save his father from the spirit of despair, The Terrible Yoot. An evocative tale tackling the sensitive issue of depression, this beautifully illustrated story immerses us in a magically imbued countryside with talking animals. A worthy winner of The Branford Bose Award and a future classic. This touching family story and thrilling adventure is, as proclaimed by Michael Morpurgo, 'a sheer joy'.
ISBN 9781910080283 PB Firefly Press Ltd £7.99
5/5 Stars

CHILDRENOF ICARUS BY CAIGHLAN SMITH
YOUNG ADULT 13+
A coming of age adventure about finding inner strength even when you don't know its there. Influenced by Greek myth, a band of teenagers are chosen to enter a secretive maze in the hope of becoming 'Angels'. When the honour becomes a nightmare they struggle for survival and try and find a way out. This nail biting adventure is perfect for fans of The Maze Runner and Hunger Games. Gripping.
ISBN 9781782024927 PB Curious Fox £6.99

5/5 Stars

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SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JULY 16TH-17TH

My children's books this week for The South Wales Evening Post include a great holiday young adult fiction book where two worlds collide, an little bear's adventure on the beach, a young welsh boy saving his family business with his Italian heritage and a retelling of Dracula's tale . All In the Weekend Magazine Section. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

HOW NOT TO DISAPPEAR BY CLARE FURNISS
YOUNG ADULT 13+

Two worlds collide when a pregnant teenage Hattie goes on a road trip with Gloria her great aunt who’s suffering from the onset of dementia. One must decide on the course of her future and the other make amends with the past before it's forgotten. A thought provoking journey of two halves that will have you crying and laughing. Bitter sweet this is a great summer read that will appeal to all ages.

ISBN 9781471120312 PB Simon & Schuster £7.99
5/5 Stars

BEARS AT THE BEACH BY EMMA CARLISLE
PICTUREBOOK 3+

In this delightful seaside adventure The Bear Family enjoy a day out making sandcastles and going on a boat trip. However when little bear wanders off he gets lost. How will he find his parents? The bright illustrations really capture a sunny day on the beach with lots for the children to look at and find such as starfish and crabs. Also carries a gentle but important warning about the dangers of wandering off on your own.

ISBN 9781447257455 PB Macmillan £6.99
5/5 Stars

SWEET PIZZA BY G.R. GEMIN

CHILDRENS 8+

Joe vows to save the family business in South Wales by injecting it with elements of his Italian heritage. Inspired by the authors own Welsh/Italian family history this delightful and pertinent story highlights how our society can be enriched with a mix of cultures and overcome differences through understanding and friendship. With a cast of beautifully drawn diverse characters this thought provoking charming tale has a wide appeal. Longlisted for The Guardian Childrens Fiction Prize.

 ISBN 9780857636300 PB Nosy Crow £6.99

5/5 Stars

AND I DARKEN BY KIERSTEN WHITE
YOUNG ADULT 13+

This is an alternative imagining of Dracula's story. Lada is an anti heroine that will enrage and inspire but whom you certainly don't want to mess with. Brutal, passionate and determined to protect her more sensitive brother when they are abandoned to be raised by the Ottoman Sultan her goal is survival and revenge. Love and loyalty play out against Machiavellian plots, savagery and a taste of romance. Not for the faint hearted.

ISBN 9780552573740 PB Penguin £7.99

4/5 Stars

YOU CAN BUY ALL THE ABOVE BOOKS AT  HIVE HERE AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSHOP AT THE SAME TIME. 

Hive.co.uk works hand in hand with independendent bookshops to bring you books, DVDs and ebooks. Free delivery to your local bookshop or direct to your door. Shop local, shop independent

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JULY 9TH-10TH

My children's books this week for The South Wales Evening Post include a perfect holiday young adult fiction book of friendship, a beautiful picture book about the bee, a book that looks at  the in's and out's of various subjects perfect for inquisitive little minds and a dystopian thriller from best selling author and DJ Simon Mayo . All In the Weekend Magazine Section. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE MOONLIGHT DREAMERS BY SIOBHAN CURHAM
YOUNG ADULT 12+

Four girls from all walks of life who's only bond is feeling like outsiders form a group called the Moonlight Dreamers. This absorbing tale of their highs and lows will draw you into their world and inspire you to celebrate your individuality. There is something to appeal to everyone and a good lesson to be learnt not to judge a book by its cover. A great contemporary summer read with a bit of Oscar Wilde thrown in.

ISBN 9781406365825 PB Walker Books £6.99
5/5 Stars

BEE BY PATRICIA HEGARTY & BRITTA TECKENTRUP
PICTURE BOOK 3+

A thought provoking book celebrating the importance of the bumble bee. This stunning book raises awareness of their plight inspiring our future generations to learn about their journey, gathering nectar and spreading life. The pages of this vibrant peep through book opens up into a bouquet of brilliance that will entrance as you follow them from flower to flower. It s a love poem to this BEEautiful and much needed little striped powerhouse.

ISBN 9781848692886 HB Little Tiger Press £10.99
5/5 Stars

IN FOCUS CREATED BY LIBBY WALDEN
CHILDRENS 5+

Ten illustrators show us a cross section of ten different subjects including oceans, animals, space, transport and landmarks. First read about their structure outside then open out the page to discover what lies beneath. Explore in depth a visual feast as well as many fascinating facts. Did you know scientists still discover over 15000 new animals, plant and insects every year and only 5% of the ocean has been explored? No, me neither!

ISBN 9781848575059 HB 360 Degrees £15.99
5/5 Stars

BLAME BY SIMON MAYO

YOUNG ADULT 12+

From the best selling author of Itch explodes this gripping dystopian thriller. Ant and her brother are serving time for their parents crime. Is it time to show they're not to blame? The only way to achieve this is for them to break out of prison. What follows is a complex high tension adventure raising questions about society, the role of politics and media and taking responsibility which is certainly pertinent for the times we now live in.

ISBN 9780552569071 PB Corgi £7.99

4/5 Stars 

YOU CAN BUY ALL THE ABOVE BOOKS AT  HIVE HERE AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSHOP AT THE SAME TIME. 

Hive.co.uk works hand in hand with independendent bookshops to bring you books, DVDs and ebooks. Free delivery to your local bookshop or direct to your door. Shop local, shop independent

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK COLUMN JULY 2ND-3RD

My children's books this week for The South Wales Evening Post include a very hungry pug dog, an unusual friendship made building a giant sandcastle, a treasure seeking pig and an adventure with summer ponies. All In the Weekend Magazine Section. Enjoy!




BOOK OF THE WEEK

HAROLD'S HUNGRY EYES BY KEVIN WALDRON
PICTURE BOOK 4+
Food obsessed Boston Terrier Harold gets lost in the city and can only find his way home by looking for landmarks he imagines as delicious food in this clever visually striking tale. A clock becomes a large pie and a street lamp an icecream!The black line drawings and block colour compliment the food collage scattered throughout. It's great fun for children helping them to imagine what everyday objects around them could be. Harold will melt your heart.
ISBN 9780714871240 HB Phaidon £10.99
5/5 Stars

KINGS OF THE CASTLE BY VICTORIA TURNBULL
PICTURE BOOK 3+
An ethereal picture book of adventure, imagination and friendship. When George meets the strangest creature he's ever seen the night takes an unusual turn. With a gorgeous pull out of an enormous sandcastle this will enchant little ones and inspire sand castles par excellence. However different we are we can always find common ground and mutual interests as well as learn from one another. Through acceptance and discovery we are open to knew and wonderful experiences.
ISBN 9781783702596 PB Templar Publishing £6.99
5/5 Stars

PIGSTICKS AND HAROLD AND THE PIRATE ADVENTURE BY ALEX MILWAY
CHILDRENS 5+
When Pigsticks' evil nemesis Sir Percival Snout tries to claim his home town for himself he and his sidekick Harold set off to find treasure to buy it back. This entertaining quirky adventure is great for kids making the transition from picture books to reading books. Bold, full colour illustrations, partially in cartoon form and clear text throughout this is also good for reluctant readers who will want to see their heroes save the day.
ISBN 9781406346053 PB Walker Book £6.99
4/5 Stars

KATY'S PONY SUMMER BY VICTORIA EVELEIGH
CHILDRENS 7+
A contemporary authentic pony adventure that sees young rider Katy rescue and look after an injured Exmoor foal. Perfect for summer reading the author clearly knows her stuff and infuses the story with lots of tasty titbits about ponies perfect for all equine lovers. This exciting tale gallops along to a satisfying conclusion with a few traumatic bits thrown in. Don't forget to read the fascinating history of Exmoor ponies at the back.


ISBN 9781444014532 PB Orion Childrens Books £6.99
5/5 Stars