CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS BOOKS IN THE SOUTH WALES EVENING POST NOV 26-27

This week my for my childrens book review column in The South Wales Evening Post I have picked a tale about the life of a little stray dog, a stuffed rabbit who wants to be real, a book of riddles and a chilling murder in the welsh hills. All great stocking fillers and presents for Christmas. 


BOOK OF THE WEEK

A DOG'S LIFE BY ANN M. MARTIN
CHILDRENS 9+

A heart warming tale of the life of a stray dog told from her perspective. We follow Squirrel from abandoned puppy into adulthood, her friends and foes, loves and losses, until she finds a place she can call home. Its an emotional rollercoaster and I defy anyone not to fall in love with this brave and steadfast little mutt. Perfect for dog lovers and highlights why a dog is for life not just for Christmas.

ISBN 9781474906470 PB Usborne £6.99

VELVETEEN RABBIT BY MARGERY WILLIAMS ILLUSTRATED BY SARAH MASSINI
PICTURE BOOK 3+

An enchanting new edition of the timeless classic story about a little toy rabbit who wanted to be real. Its universal message of love and friendship will resonate with old and young while being enthralled by Sarah Massini's sensitive and evocative new illustrations paired with the original text. This sumptuous book with it's foiled cover will make the perfect gift for Christmas and something to treasure and share.

ISBN 9780857636966 HB Nosy Crow £14.99

THE CURIOUS GUIDE TO THINGS THAT AREN'T BY JOHN D. FIXX & JAMES F. FIXX
CHILDRENS 7+

Thought provoking riddles about a range of things you can't see, touch or hear and yet they still exist. Can you guess what they are? There is one riddle for every letter of the alphabet so you will have enormous fun trying to figure out the engaging clues and then on to the next page to learn about the answer. Ideal for families and the class room as well as a great stocking filler.

ISBN 9781633221765 HB Walter Foster JR £8.99

MURDER IN MIDWINTER BY FLEUR HITCHCOCK
CHILDRENS 9+

When Maya becomes a witness to a violent crime she has to hide in rural Wales until the police have caught the perpetrator. Trapped in the farm in a snow storm is she still safe or has she been discovered? A nail biting crime novel for middle grade readers and an exciting introduction for this genre. This atmospheric thriller will keep you guessing to the end, perfect to curl up with on a winters night.

ISBN 9780857636386 PB Nosy Crow £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW NOVEMBER 19-20

This week in my childrens book review column I have picked a book of Christmas cards to make your own and great for creative kids, a picture book about a turtle in a dilemma, a mystery that only a young Sherlock Holmes can solve and an epic fantasy for fans of Harry Potter and Narnia. 

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE COLOURING BOOK OF CARDS AND ENVELOPES: CHRISTMAS BY REBECCA JONES
CHILDRENS 7+
One of a great colouring and craft book series in association with The National Trust. The twenty four Christmas cards, envelopes and stickers are decorated with festive scenes including snowmen and robins ready for you to personalise with your own colours. There is also a companion book of Christmas gift boxes, including three recipes for ginger bread, peppermints and truffles that you can make and fill when assembled. Perfect holiday fun for the whole family.
ISBN9780857637260 PB Nosy Crow £9.99

WE FOUND A HAT BY JON KLASSEN
PICTURE BOOK 3+
Two turtles find a hat in the desert. It looks good on both of them but which one should have it? A finely observed tale of friendship, sharing and generosity of spirit. Their shifting eyes say so much with so little you really feel the turtles emotions as one fights his need for the hat. A visual comedy in three parts will amuse with its deadpan humour. Really heart warming finale to the acclaimed hat trilogy. Quietly profound and very special.
ISBN 9781406347517 HB Walker Books £12.99

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE DISAPPEARING DIAMOND BY SAM HEARN
CHILDREN 7+
The first of the Baker Street Academy series this is perfect for Sherlock fans. Young Watson has arrived at a new school and is befriended by Martha Hudson and a certain Sherlock Holmes. When an infamous diamond goes missing on a school trip it's up to them to solve the crime. Or will bully Moriarty try to scupper their investigation? Told through cartoon strips, blog entries and detective notes this will have every super sleuth hooked and on the case!
ISBN 9781407161846 HB Scholastic £8.99

THE KINGS REVENGE BY PHILIP WOMACK
CHILDRENS 11+
The epic conclusion to The Darkening Path trilogy. Friends Simon and Flora must face one final challenge in the land of the Broken King. Failure means losing their siblings forever and never returning home. With shades of Greek myth, Arthurian legend and Grimms fairtyales this classic fantasy adventure with its myriad of colourful and magical characters will cast a spell over you. For fans of Harry Potter and C.S Lewis and appealing to boys and girls.
ISBN 9781909991309 PB Troika Books £6.99

CHILDREN'S BOOKS FOR REMEMBRANCE IN THE SOUTH WALES EVENING POST

A selection of childrens books for Remembrance reviewed for The South Wales Evening Post. Including the World War I bear who inspired Winnie the Pooh, a Narnian adventure set against World War II, the true story of the First World War's Footballs Battalion and a picture book explaining the concept of war and peace to the very young,

This review can be found in the weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post Nov 12-13th

BOOK OF THE WEEK

FINDING WINNIE BY LINDSAY MATTICK
PICTURE BOOK 4+
The real life story and inspiration of Winnie the Pooh. When soldier and vet Harry finds a real bear cub at a station in 1914 he decides to keep her and takes her to war where she becomes a much loved mascot. This delightful story, charmingly illustrated by Sophie Blackall, describes their wonderful relationship and later how Christopher Robin met Winnie in London Zoo. It is made especially poignant with photos of the 'real Winnie' at the end.
ISBN 9781408340240 PB Orchard Books £5.99

GREEN LIZARDS VS RED RECTANGLES BY STEVE ANTONY
PICTURE BOOK 4+
An accessible way to explain to children about war and peace. Green lizards disagree with the red rectangles which escalates, through lack of communication, into a terrible and long fight. The strong colourful visuals cleverly symbolise the power struggles between both sides until they call a truce when someone questions their actions. It shows the futility of war and how it is better to talk however different the opposite sides are. An excellent book for class discussion.
ISBN 9781444920116 PB Hodder Childrens £6.99

THE SECRET HORSES OF BRIAR HILL BY MEGAN SHEPHERD
CHILDRENS 8+
When Emmaline, alone and traumatised, is evacuated to a countryside hospital during World War II she discovers a secret. There are winged horses living beyond the mirrors and only she can protect them. Reminiscent of C.S. Lewis's Narnia and Michael Morpurgo books it explores friendship, love and loss. Wonderfully illustrated by Levi Pinfold his atmospheric paintings of horses and war time life will captivate history, art and animal lovers alike and make a wonderful gift.
ISBN 9781406367584 HB Walker Books £12.99

OVER THE LINE BY TOM PALMER
CHILDRENS 9+
Jack is about to live his dream as a pro footballer but its 1914 and soon is heading to the front line. This movingly true story of the Footballers Battalion paints a vivid picture of life in the trenches including the filth, the rats and loss. It also tells of courage, friendship and honor. A gripping read for those interested in history and football as well as reluctant readers. There are also teacher resources for class discussion to accompany.
ISBN 9781781125861 PB Barrington Stoke £6.99



ALL BOOKS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSELLER OR IF YOU WISH TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOPS ONLINE CLICK THE TITLE TO GO TO WWW.HIVE.CO.UK

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW COLUMN NOV 5TH-6TH

 My picks for my childrens book review column this week include a snow bound fable of love, a treasury of animals, a compendium of fascinating worldly facts and a deliciously naughty chocolate plot. My review is in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

ALL BOOKS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSELLER OR IF YOU WISH TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOPS ONLINE CLICK THE TITLE TO GO TO WWW.HIVE.CO.UK

BOOK OF THE WEEK

RAVEN CHILD AND THE SNOW WITCH BY LINDA SUNDERLAND
PICTURE BOOK 4+
A fairytale of a close knit family who live in the shadow of an icy glacier, home of the Snow Witch. When Anya's mother is stolen by the Witch she must make the treacherous journey to save her with the help from an injured raven and an Arctic fox. Dramatic and striking artwork by talented artist Daniel Egneus captures the poignant and magical story of a determined child who will do anything to keep her family together. Enchanting.
ISBN 9781783704194 PB Templar Publishing £7.99

A FIRST BOOK OF ANIMALS BY NICOLA DAVIES AND PETRA HORACEK
PICTURE BOOK 3+
A celebration of the amazing and enormous variety in the animal kingdom. This sumptuous volume brings to life its true wonders through the lyrical text of Nicola Davies and atmospheric illustrations of Petra Horacek. From the whale shark to the tiny hummingbird, the speeding cheetah to the languorous sloth this is an absolute delight for little animal lovers. A book to treasure and inspire a new generation to hopefully protect and conserve these amazing creatures.
ISBN 9781406359633 HB Walker Books £14.99

HIGHEST MOUNTAIN DEEPEST OCEAN BY PAGE TSOU
CHILDRENS BOOK 6+
A visual feast of a compendium that will open your eyes to the extraordinary world we live in. Do you know which is the longest living animal? The oldest tree? The biggest storm? Discover all the answers in this fascinating large format book of visual comparisons with beautifully detailed illustrations that have a vintage and contemporary flavour. For fans of Animalium, Maps and future David Attenboroughs! Indulge your curiosity.
ISBN 9781783704842 HB Big Picture Press £14.99

THE GREAT CHOCOPLOT BY CHRIS CALLAGHAN
CHILDRENS 8+
The chocopocalypse has arrived and soon there will be no chocolate in the world! Following a trail of clues will Jelly and her Gran uncover a fiendish plot that could deprive the nation of their favourite treat and avert disaster? Or will the villain, Garibaldi leave them with a bitter taste in the mouth? This wonderful Roald Dahlian adventure presents an assortment box of hilarious and eccentric characters that will be devoured by little chocolate lovers everywhere.
ISBN 9781910002513 PB Chicken House £6.99


ALL BOOKS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSELLER OR IF YOU WISH TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT BOOKSHOPS ONLINE ALSO GO TO WWW.HIVE.CO.UK