SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW COLUMN JAN 28-29

This week in my children's book column for The South Wales Evening Post I feature an adventurous pidgeon, a fun memory game, a colouring book for Asterix fans and a magical wintery adventure. My column can be found in the weekend section. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

DAVE PIGEON (NUGGETS!) BY SWAPNA HADDOW

CHILDRENS 6+

This plucky pigeon makes a whirlwind return in an hilarious sequel with his best friend Skipper. When they run out of food they must find an new owner but is Reginald Grimster all he seems? Why is he feeding them and what is with all the cookery books? The new adventure is peppered with wonderful cartoon style illustrations by Sheena Dempsey as the pair directly address the reader in between chapters. This is a flurry of feathery fun!

ISBN 9780571324439 PB Faber & Faber £5.99

PAIRS! UNDERWATER BY SMRITI PRASADAM-HALLS

PICTUREBOOK 2+

This lovely new series combines informative rhyming text and a fun memory game all in one. Explore the underwater world of crabs, starfish and seahorses. Lift the flaps to find matching pairs and discover the odd one out. The stylish and bright illustrations by Lorna Scobie are really attractive adding to the enjoyment. Also in the series is ‘In The Garden’ in which you can look for caterpillars, butterflies and beetles. Perfect for inquisitive pre-schoolers.

ISBN 97891847808820 HB Frances Lincoln £6.99

ASTERIX: A WHOLE WORLD TO COLOUR IN

CHILDRENS 6+

A big, bold colouring book bursting with beloved scenes and characters from the iconic Asterix series. With over eighty drawings from the famous strip cartoons you can choose to colour battles, banquets and favourite characters. You can even find the odd Roman…Being able to personalise the illustrations will delight children and the titbits of backround information will also satisfy adults. This is a treasure trove for Asterix fans young and old.

ISBN 9781510102385 Orion Childrens Books PB £16.99

A GIRL CALLED OWL BY AMY WILSON

CHILDRENS 9+

A magical debut about a girl called Owl who discovers she is the daughter of Jack Frost. Entering a magical winter world can she control her own icy powers and will her father help or reject her? Can Mother Nature nurture their bond or will the others powerful elements thwart their relationship? A chillingly good adventure about family, friendship and the delicate balance of nature. An engaging read for fans of Narnia.

ISBN 9781509834068 PB Macmillan Childrens £6.99

CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS FOR THE SOUTH WALES EVENING POST JANUARY 21-22

This week for my children's book review column in The South Wales Evening Post I have picked an endearing tale of friendship for fans of Winnie the Pooh, a fascinating book on football and all that surrounds it, a picture book for young creative minds and a fictional account of the refugee crisis inspired by real life. My column can be found in the Weekend supplement of The South Wales Evening Post on Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy!



BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE PEST IN THE NEST BY JULIAN GOUGH & JIM FIELD
CHILDRENS 5+
Rabbit just wants some peace and quiet but everyone is SOOO NOISY! Especially his new neighbour Woodpecker. The second in the series, the witty banter and thoughtful storyline is perfect for reading out loud along side the endearing and magical illustrations. This little book has hidden depths that will really strike a chord. Adults will be begging to read it at bedtime. The same camaraderie and worldly wisdom as Winnie the Pooh. A modern classic.
ISBN 9781444934267 HB Hodder Childrens £9.99

DUCK GETS A JOB BY SONNY ROSS
PICTURE BOOK 4+

Duck wants a job so he gets one in the city the same as his friends. But trying to look the same and act the same as everyone else makes Duck very bored. What else could he do? This will really appeal to all creatives and those who feel different and don't want to follow the crowd. With charming illustrations that follows Duck's progress this endearing story will encourage young minds to follow their dreams.

ISBN 9781783705771 PB Templar £6.99

FOOTBALL SCHOOL BY ALEX BELLOS AND BEN LYTTLETON
CHILDREN 8+

This fascinating book even got me interested in football. It's packed full of an eclectic mix of interesting facts covering subjects such as biology, geography, nature and science. What makes the perfect pitch or player? Why are there mascots? Illustrated with hilarious cartoons this is the ideal gift for footy fans. Its amazing how much the beautiful game can inspire and teach by investigating the history, origins and customs. I’ll watch with new knowledge and enthusiasm!!

ISBN 9781406367249 HB Walker Books £8.99

WELCOME TO NOWHERE BY ELIZABETH LAIRD
CHILDREN 9+

Where do you go when its too dangerous to return home? This fictional account of the Syrian Refugee Crisis told through the eyes of twelve year old Omar is sensitively portrayed. This accessible and thought provoking read is inspired by the authors own experiences volunteering at refugee camps. Hopefully it will encourage empathy and understanding into the crisis. It certainly opened my eyes. 50p from each hardback will be donated to a refugee charity.

ISBN 9781509840496 HB Macmillan Children’s Books £9.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JANUARY 14-15

 This week my pick of childrens books for The South Wales Evening Post include two inspiring coming of age tales, a fascinating book about space and a fun story for girl gamers.   Enjoy!


BOOK OF THE WEEK

WING JONES BY KATHERINE WEBBER
YOUNG ADULT 12+
Wing is struggling with her Chinese and Ghanaian heritage, feeling caught between two worlds. However when Wing's talented brother is involved in a tragic accident its time for her to shine and bring new hope to her family. Finding freedom in her running can she also find her true self? The story deals with a wonderfully dysfunctional family, a clash of cultures and generational gaps. An emotional roller coaster of family loyalty, overcoming tragedy and self belief. Inspiring.
ISBN 9781406374995 PB Walker Books £7.99

DESTINATION: SPACE BY DR CHRISTOPH ENGLERT
CHILDRENS 7+
Are you fascinated with outer space? Do you wonder how planet earth came into being? This educational book answers all your questions and more. From black holes to life on other planets the facts are cleverly and vibrantly illustrated by Tom Clohosy Cole. There is also a huge pull-out poster at the back so hop on board the space shuttle to explore. Short listed for the Blue Peter Book Awards this will satisfy every little budding astronaut.
ISBN 9781847808240 HB Wide Eyed Editions £12.99

AMY LEE AND THE DARKNESS HEX BY AMY LEE
CHILDRENS 7+
YouTube superstar Amy Lee brings to life her hugely popular Minecraft world. It will appeal to girl gamers and encourage them to read as well. A strange purple cloud is threatening Amy's kingdom. Can she save her land from this poisonous dark magic? An exciting, dramatic adventure with familiar characters richly illustrated in black and white. Also an interesting interview about the author and her creation at the back.
ISBN 9781407172231 PB Scholastic £6.99

A QUIET KIND OF THUNDER BY SARA BARNARD
YOUNG ADULT 12+
Steffi doesn't talk and Rhys can't hear. Struggling to fit in they understand each other perfectly. A valuable tale about how important it is to communicate. Sometimes the quietest voice is the most powerful. A coming of age story full of vivid characters that are empathetic, heartfelt and sensitive. Will inspire lots of discussion in book groups and class. There is no such thing as perfect but you can be fabulously and brilliantly unique.
ISBN 9781509810987 PB Macmillan Childrens Books £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW COLUMN JAN 7-8

A new year welcomes in a plethora of new and exciting childrens books. This week my pick for The South Wales Evening Post include a psychological thriller about an amnesiac, a story to help little ones count, a lost fox and boy who try and help each other and a contemporary tale about the pitfalls of stardom. Enjoy!


BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE ONE MEMORY OF FLORA BANKS BY EMILY BARR
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Flora has had severe amnesia for years until she remembers kissing a boy she shouldn't have. What ensues is a chilling psychological thriller that takes Flora on an adventure to the Arctic to find her first love. Or is it really to find herself? Is she being kept safe or is she trapped? Who can she trust? A coming of age mystery about loss, memory and a haunting obsession that is unforgettable. Perfect for book groups of all ages and fans of Hitchcock and Before I Go To Sleep.
ISBN 9780141368511 PB Penguin Random House £7.99

ONE THING BY LAUREN CHILD
PICTURE BOOK 4+
The irrepressible Charlie and Lola return in an energetic and fun story using numbers as they go to the shops. The combination of the exuberant illustrations actively invites children to really think about and understand numbers and how they work as Lola is told she can only have one thing. Really clever combination of text and illustrations putting numbers out of order, making you think and work the sums out and ultimately understand. The brother and sister dynamic has universal appeal perfectly aimed at little minds.
ISBN 9781408339015 PB Orchard Books £6.99

THE WHITE FOX BY JACKIE MORRIS
CHILDRENS 8+

When Sol finds a lost Arctic fox in the Seattle docks he immediately identifies with his wild, lost spirit. Taking the fox home can he help reunite his own family as well? Inspired by a true story this beautiful hardback gift edition by award winning artist and illustrator Jackie is a book to treasure. Deliberately designed to be dyslexia friendly with a clear layout and typeface this has a wide appeal for animal lovers and children with reading difficulties.

ISBN: 9781781125229 HB Barrington Stoke £10.99

GONE WILD BY ROBERT MUCHAMORE
YOUNG ADULT 12+
For X factor and The Voice fans this is the perfect read. Young teen bands fight it out in a reality show to win a shot at stardom. The third in this sparkling and glossy series follow their personal journeys and highs and lows. Will corruption derail their dreams and is the spotlight too bright for them? All that glitters is not gold. Great behind the scenes insight if your interested in reality shows and show business.
 ISBN: 9781444914610 HB Hachette Childrens £9.99