CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW SOUTH WALES EVENING POST APRIL 1-2

This week my pick of children's books for The South Wales Evening Post include a friendly but shy giant, the return of the Care Bears, a young boy saving the world from alien invasion and two teenagers determined to find their own way in the world.

My column can be found in the Weekend supplement of The South Wales Evening Post on Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

GRANDAD'S SECRET GIANT BY DAVID LITCHFIELD

PICTURE BOOK 3+

Billy doesn't' believe his Grandad's stories about a benevolent secret giant who lives in his town. When Billy meets him one night he is afraid, but should he be? The evocative illustrations are rich with detail that children can pour over and explore. In this contemporary fable Billy finds out different can also be good and empowering. This enchanting tale of friendship, belonging and acceptance would make a wonderful gift to treasure.

ISBN 978847808479 HB Frances Lincoln £11.99

HEARTS 'N' HUGS STICKER ACTIVITY BOOK BY CARE BEARS

ACTIVITY BOOK 3+

I was so excited to see the return of the Care Bears! Join Cheer Bear, Grumpy Bear and the rest of the Care Bear Friends for hours of games, puzzles, colouring and over one hundred stickers. Celebrating their thirty fifth anniversary spreading the message for caring and sharing. Also accompanying this great activity book is a series of storybooks including Cheer Bear and The Treasure Hunt. Still adorably cute!

ISBN 9781444931471 PB Hodder Childrens £4.99

HAMISH AND THE GRAVITY BURP BY DANNY WALLACE, ILLUSTRATED BY JAMIE LITTLER

CHILDRENS 8+

When Hamish finds his Mum and brother floating on the ceiling he knows something is seriously wrong. Also what is that strange burping noise? Why are weird seeds falling from the sky? The cast of family and friends are relatable and endearing for both adults and children. Channelling Walliams and Dahl, the story moves at a bristling pace and is full of irreverent humour. This will be gobbled up by Hamish's growing army of fans.

ISBN 9781471147128 PB Simon & Schuster £6.99

AND THEN WE RAN BY KATY CANNON

YOUNG ADULT 13 +

Told from a dual perspective Megan and Elliot take us on a coming of age road trip from a Welsh seaside town to Gretna Green. Do they really want to get married or just escape? Both learn life itself is a journey that can throw up unexpected surprises. A contemporary romance about learning to make the right choices and following your dreams. Perfect holiday reading for fans of Rainbow Rowell, Stephanie Perkins and Jenny Han

ISBN 9781847157997 PB Stripes £7.99

See also my interview with author Katy Cannon

MOTHERS DAY CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS SOUTH WALES EVENING POST MARCH 25-26

This week my pick of children's books for Mothers Day in The South Wales Evening Post include a picture book about the perfect day, how to entertain your Granny, an out of this world road trip and a paranormal adventure series in which the mummy may not be so friendly!

My column can be found in the Weekend supplement of The South Wales Evening Post on Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

A PERFECT DAY BY LANE SMITH

PICTURE BOOK 3+

The animals are having a perfect day in the garden. Basking in the sun, paddling in the pool, eating their favourite food. What could possible go wrong? Naughty Bear has his own idea of a perfect day, unfortunately it's not the same as everyone else's! The playful and witty illustrations, full of light and texture, really bring to life the warm summer day. This endearing tale was inspired by the authors real life encounter with a marauding bear!

ISBN 9781509840557 HB Two Hoots Books £11.99

15 THINGS NOT TO DO WITH A GRANNY BY MARGARET MCALLISTER AND ILLUSTRATIONS BY HOLLY STERLING

PICTURE BOOK 4+

It may be Mothers Day but don't forget your Granny! Follow these simple rules and you will both be happy. Don't hide an elephant in her bed, wear her pants on your head or send her up to space in a rocket! Definitely don't bang a drum when she is sleeping. This wonderfully diverse book has a wide appeal for the whole family encouraging caring, sharing and best of all, hugs.

ISBN 9781847809131 PB Frances Lincoln £6.99

SEE YOU IN THE COSMOS BY JACK CHENG

CHILDREN 9+

Eleven year old Alex wants to launch his ipod into space to show aliens what life is really like on Earth. Full of questions about the world the reader is immediately drawn to Alex. You are made to feel as if you are travelling with him as he tries to deal with his dysfunctional family, including a troubled mother and absent brother. This innocent and personal adventure is ultimately uplifting and heart warming.

ISBN 9780141365602 PB Puffin £6.99

THE MUMMY'S REVENGE BY ANDREW BEASLEY

CHILDREN 10+

An ancient Egyptian Mummy controlled by the evil Sandman is reeking havoc across Edinburgh, looking for rubies and revenge. Billy and Charley are top investigators at S.C.R.E.A.M.( Supernatural Crimes, Rescues, Emergencies and Mysteries). They are the only ones who can stop him. Victorian X-Files meets Scooby Doo, this is a funny, action packed paranormal crime series and an alternative Mother Day book!

ISBN 9781474906920 PB Usborne £6.99

CHILDRENS BOOK COLUMN SOUTH WALES EVENING POST MARCH 18-19

This week my pick of children's books for The South Wales Evening Post include an adventure with an elephant, a retelling of Beauty and The Beast, a very ladylike murder mystery and an hilarious teen romance.

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 ELEPHANT THIEF BY JANE KERR

CHILDREN 9+

When pickpocket Danny accidentally bids for Maharajah, the elephant at auction he's caught up in an unforgettable journey. Transformed into a bejewelled Indian prince Danny rides Maharajah from Scotland to his new home in England. Will a rival zoo keeper stop them and will Danny's dangerous past catch up with them both? A gripping historical adventure of an unlikely friendship between boy and elephant, based on true life events. A beautifully written future classic.

ISBN 9781910655757 PB Chicken House £6.99

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST BY ANNA MILBOURNE

PICTURE BOOK 3+

Celebrating the film release, this is a beautiful retelling of the classic fairytale. As well as the colourfully detailed illustrations by Lorena Alvarez it is also packed with enchanting surprises with intricate cut outs to look through and flaps to lift. Little children will love following Belle through the Beast's house until she discovers him hiding in the garden . Also available in the series is Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood. A gift to treasure.

ISBN 9781474920544 HB Usborne £9.99

BLACK CATS AND BUTLERS BY JANINE BEACHAM

CHILDREN 9+

Born into the aristocracy Rosie is a young lady with a penchant for finding distinctly unladylike trouble. When her adored butler is murdered Rosie is determined to defy convention and find out who did it. Can she solve this wicked crime while successfully steering her way through the rules of proper etiquette? Grave robbers, magicians and ancient feline guardians will keep young readers gripped. Nancy Drew meets Downton Abbey. A rollicking adventure.

ISBN 9781510201286 PB Little, Brown Books £6.99

BOYWATCHING SEASON THREE BY CHLOE BENNET

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Hilarious conclusion to this contemporary trilogy. Broken hearts, broken promises and broken toes abound! Chloe is left with her boyfriends handsome but awkward cousin Oscar while he leaves her to go on a French exchange. Can she transform him into a smooth operator? Laugh out loud at the teenage angst that everyone can relate to. Pretty in Pink meets Ten Things I Hate About You, perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins and Jenny Han

ISBN 9781408345122 PB Orchard Books £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK COLUMN MARCH 11-12

This week my pick of children's books for The South Wales Evening Post include a glorious Pre Raphaelite romance, an inventive picture book about loving our differences, a thrilling and imaginative fantasy adventure and the conclusion of an epic fantasy series that will set your pulse racing.

My column can be found in the Weekend supplement of The South Wales Evening Post on Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

FOLLOWING OPHELIA BY SOPHIA BENNETT

YOUNG ADULT 12+

When young servant Mary becomes a muse to the Pre Raphaelites she enters a rebellious world of glamour and scandal. With her flaming red hair, Mary reinvents herself as Persephone Lavelle fighting to become the new face of London's glittering art scene. Can she achieve her dreams of leaving servitude without losing her true self? A sumptuous historical romance that paints a vivid picture of Victorian London. Perfect for lovers of romance, history and art.

ISBN 9781847158109 Stripes PB £7.99

I LOVE YOU (NEARLY ALWAYS) BY ANNA LLENAS

PICTURE BOOK 4+

Roly is a woodlouse and Rita is a firefly. Can they be friends despite all their differences? An extraordinary feat of paper engineering full of pop ups and fold outs that will amaze. It involves the children in this thoughtfully written story that clearly demonstrates the possibilities of friendships with others who are different to themselves. Perfect for group discussion about acceptance and understanding even if you don't always agree!

ISBN 9781783707614 HB Templar £14.99

THE FEARLESS TRAVELLERS GUIDE TO WICKED PLACES BY PETE BEGLER

CHILDREN 9+

Twelve year old Nell's mother has been kidnapped by witches and turned into a bird. Journeying to Wicked Places can she break the spell before the world turns into a living nightmare? A richly imagined world full of courage and family bonds. Both exciting and scary this lyrically written fantasy draws you into its visually extraordinary world full of wild landscapes and unforgettable characters. Narnia meets Brothers Grimm.

ISBN 978178202595 PB Curious Fox £7.99

THE SCARECROW QUEEN BY MELINDA SALISBURY
YOUNG ADULT 13+
The explosive conclusion to The Sin Eaters Daughter ends in a final battle. The heroine Twylla is powerless and on the run. Can the rebels prevent the Sleeping Prince from destroying everything they love? This darkly addictive series has non stop action, power struggles, betrayal and great camaraderie and friendships. An ambitious fantasy for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Alwyn Hamilton. To be devoured in one sitting.
ISBN 9781407147659 PB Scholastic £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW MARCH 4-5TH

This week my pick of childrens books for The South Wales Evening Post include a beetle mad villain, a shy koala, an exploration of sea life and an Indian Jones style adventure.

My column can be found in the Weekend supplement of The South Wales Evening Post on Saturday and Sunday. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

BEETLE QUEEN BY M.G LEONARD
CHILDREN 9+
The highly anticipated sequel to the best selling Beetle Boy doesn't disappoint.
Cruel beetle fashionista, Lucretia Cutter, is at large with her yellow ladybird spies. Will Darkus and his friends be able to stop her thirst for power? I love Lucretia, who is a wickedly delicious villain to rival Cruella De Ville. Her evil machinations are aided and abetted by a wonderfully vibrant cast that will enthral fans and find new ones.
ISBN 9781910002773 PB Chicken House £6.99

THE KOALA WHO COULD BY RACHEL BRIGHT AND JIM FIELD
PICTURE BOOK 3+
A charming rhyming tale about a little koala who does not like change. The koala likes to feel safe, so he stays in his tree even though its boring and he can see his friends having fun on the ground. There is nothing so frightening as fear ; face it to deal with it . This inspiring tale is about learning to let go so to discover new things. Good for bedtime, classrooms and cautious children!
ISBN 9781408331644 PB Orchard Books £6.99

SECRETS OF THE SEA BY ELEANOR TAYLOR
CHILDRENS 8+
Take a journey of wonder through the hidden world of the sea. From rock pools and the shallows to coral gardens and the mysteries of the deep. Discover the astonishing diversity of life beneath the waves in this fragile ecosystem. From single cell organisms, Sea Sparkle and tiny crustaceans, Daphnia to Giant Tube Worms and Queen Parrotfish. The glorious illustrations have a luminous, mystical feel that will transport you to the oceans hidden depths.
ISBN 9781783704347 HB Big Picture Press £14.99

JAKE ATLAS AND THE TOMB OF THE EMERALD SNAKE BY ROB LLOYD JONES
CHILDREN 9+
Jake and his twin sister Pan are in big trouble. When their parents disappear in Cairo can they find them before they are turned into mummies by an evil cult? Teaming up with shady high tech treasure hunters first Jake and Pan must find a lost tomb. This is Indiana Jones meets Mission Impossible with a touch of The Goonies thrown in for good measure. Action packed great fun.
ISBN 9781406361445 PB Walker Books £6.99