SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK COLUMN FEB 11-12TH

This week my pick of childrens books for The South Wales Evening Post have a Valentine theme. They include a young dragon who loves chocolate,  a night gardener who finds his artistic passion, a Venetian tale inspired by the composer Vivaldi and the story of the young Queen of Hearts from Alice of Wonderland.

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 DRAGON WITH A CHOCOLATE HEART BY STEPHANIE BURGIS

CHILDRENS 9+

Aventurine, a young dragon, defies her family to find a human feast but instead she finds something more delicious, chocolate! The problem is it's enchanted and has turned her into a human. Will her new found love for chocolate come to her rescue? This rip roaring fantasy adventure and feisty dragon will melt your heart. Perfect for girls who dream of finding their passion and inner dragon. For fans of Eva Ibbotson and chocoholics.

ISBN 9781408880319 PB Bloomsbury £6.99

THE NIGHT GARDENER BY THE FAN BROTHERS

PICTURE BOOK 4+

A young orphan's creativity is ignited when he meets The Night Gardener. Together they create extraordinary topiary that delights and unites the villagers of Grimloch Lane. Stunning and delicate illustrations that enrich this evocative story will enthral children as they pour over the pictures. The twilight colours perfectly capture their midnight adventures. Sleeping cats and serpentine dragons fill you with wonder. The perfect book for inquisitive minds. A story to treasure.

ISBN 9781 HB Frances Lincoln £ 12.99

HEARTSONG BY KEVIN CROSSLEY-HOLLAND

CHILDREN 9+

Set against 18^th century Venice a young mute orphan Laura finds her own special way to communicate with the world. Discovering a talent for music will she find what she is looking for? This inspirational tale is inspired by the real life composer Vivaldi who helped those in need through music. It is accompanied by the jewelled watercolours of award winning artist Jane Ray. A lovely gift for music, art and history lovers.

ISBN 9781408336076 PB Orchard Books £7.99

HEARTLESS BY MARISSA MEYER

YOUNG ADULT 13+

Why was the Queen of Hearts so mad, bad and dangerous to know? Revisit Wonderland before Alice and discover the young ambitious girl who had a passion for baking and a soft spot for the mysterious Court Jester. There's also a little matter of the fearsome Jabberwocky on the prowl. Will Cath lose her heart or listen to her head? A twisted fairytale with a touch of Brothers Grimm full of magic, madness and monsters.

ISBN 9781509814138 PB Macmillan Childrens Books £7.99