CHILDRENS BOOKS FOR EASTER 2017

This week my pick of children's books for The South Wales Evening Post  include a star gazing heroine, a finger painting garden, chocolate trouble at Easter and a heroine with a different view of the world.

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

Wishing Everyone A Very Happy Easter!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

STARGAZING FOR BEGINNERS BY JENNY MCLACHLAN

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Meg is desperate to win a competition to visit NASA because she dreams of becoming an astronaut. When her eccentric mother leaves her looking after her sister Elsa how will she juggle school and a baby? A fast paced contemporary coming of age tale about responsibility, friendship and following your dreams. Full of girl power this is a feisty, fun read and unapologetically smart! Never be too afraid to reach for the stars.

ISBN 9781408879597 PB Bloomsbury £7.99

FINGERPRINT ACTIVITIES GARDEN BY FIONA WATT & CANDICE WHATMORE

CHILDEN 5+

Great for bored little fingers over the holiday. This activity book is brimming with ideas for finger painting with lots of scenes for pictures inspired by the garden. Very clearly and brightly illustrated by Candice Whatmore kids will love learning how to finger paint foxes, flowers, spiders or rabbits amongst others. Children will spend hours having fun creating their own pictures with the included ink pad. Perfect for budding, little artists.

ISBN 9781474932301 HB Usborne £9.99

DAISY AND THE TROUBLE WITH CHOCOLATE BY KES GRAY

CHILDREN 6+

Daisy is back but this time she is getting into trouble over Easter. Her mum is taking her to Chocolate Land and she has to look after the class hamsters at the same time. What could go wrong! Simple, engaging text that is littered with funny illustrations by Garry Parsons, this is perfect for early readers and reading out loud. Ideal for the holidays and chocolate lovers. A great alternative to a chocolate egg!

ISBN 9781782956099 PB Red Fox £5.99

THE STATE OF GRACE BY RACHAEL LUCAS

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Grace has Aspergers and her own way of looking at the world. As long as life stays the same Grace feels safe with her horse and her best friend for company. However change is on its way, how will she cope? This is an intimate portrayal of a teenager that is enlightening, funny and romantic. Grace's witty, inner dialogue proves insightful to the reader especially as the story was inspired by the authors real life experiences.

ISBN 978150983395551 PB Macmillan Childrens £7.99