SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW MAY 27-28

This week my pick of children's books for The South Wales Evening Post include a classic World War Two mystery set in Devon, a stunning picture book about unity, a fantasy adventure full of mayhem and monsters and an empathetic modern fable focusing on a young homeless girl. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

LETTERS FROM THE LIGHTHOUSE BY EMMA CARROLL

CHILDRENS 9+

Olive and her little brother are sent, from London, to stay with a mysterious lighthouse keeper in Devon, to escape the Blitz. Is he linked to her sisters disappearance? What is the meaning of her coded message? A gripping, historical adventure that will enthral and delight. This fast paced, middle grade thriller also has relevance for today and would be great for classroom discussion. The best kind of story that whisks you away into another world.

ISBN 9780571327584 PB Faber & Faber £6.99

UNDER THE SAME SKY BY BRITTA TECKENTRUP

PICTURE BOOK 3+

Dedicated to a united world, this talented illustrator shows how we still share the same hopes and dreams despite our differences. From penguins seeking solace, to singing whales, rabbits playing in the meadow and flamingo's sheltering from the storm, children will delight in the atmospheric pictures. With simple rhyming text and peek through illustrations we travel around the world celebrating variety and encouraging unity. A beautiful book to share.

ISBN 9781848575868 HB Caterpillar Books £10.99

QUEST FOR THE GOLDEN ARROW BY CARRIE JONES

CHILDREN 9+

Annie is one of the last humans who can control time. When her guardian is kidnapped, Annie is determined to save her and her enchanted home Aurora. On her quest she wins the trust of a dragon but there are secrets in Annie's past that are about to be revealed. Full of magical creatures, humour and adventure this is perfect for Percy Jackson and Harry Potter fans. The second book in the Time Stoppers series.

ISBN 9781408885437 PB Bloomsbury £6.99

THE GIRL IN BETWEEN BY SARAH CARROLL

CHILDREN 11+

In an abandoned mill in Dublin, Sam and her mother shelter from the memories of life on the streets. A place of safety. But when developers arrive their fragile security is about to be shattered. An empathetic story about homelessness which sheds light on those 'invisible' people who have fallen through the cracks of life. It shows the dangers, threats and vulnerabilities in this modern fable. A tense, haunting novel that will strike a chord.

ISBN 9781471160622 PB Simon & Schuster £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW MAY 20-21

This week my pick of children's books for The South Wales Evening Post include a thought provoking story about a young miner's son, a fascinating look at life on the farm, a rip roaring pirate adventure with dragons and a magical fantasy about a young witch coming of age. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

TOWN IS BY THE SEA BY JOANNE SCHWARTZ & SYDNEY SMITH

PICTURE BOOK 3+

A beautiful and haunting story of life in a seaside mining town seen through the eyes of a young boy. While he enjoys playing, on a Summers day, breathing in the sea air, he thinks of his father deep underground digging for coal. Stunning ink illustrations show the striking contrast between the sparkling seaside day and the dark claustrophobic mining tunnels underground. This moving story will resonate with readers in Wales with it's strong mining history.

ISBN 9781406377385 HB Walker Books £11.99

FARM BY HEATHER ALEXANDER & ANDRES LOZANO

PICTURE BOOK 3+

What are tractors used for? Where does milk come from? What grows in the fields? Find out all about life on the farm with one hundred questions and answers and seventy lift-flaps. The bold illustrations in this sturdy, board book will fascinate children and ignite their interest in the countryside. A perfect introduction to a farmer's life and for talking about where food comes from and how it is grown.

ISBN 9781847808998 HB Wide Eyed Editions £9.99

JOURNEY TO DRAGON ISLAND BY CLAIRE FAYERS

CHILDRENS 9+

Twelve year old, Brine and her two friends, a magician and an ex librarian, accidentally hatch a dragon after joining the pirate ship, Onion. They are determined to find it's family and discover Brine's mysterious past. Sail into uncharted waters in this second of the series. Full of danger, excitement, friendship and laughs. A swashbuckling adventure that includes floating castles, ghosts and dinosaurs. This vivid and imaginative quest has something for everyone. Great fun.

ISBN 9781447290629 PB Macmillan Childrens £6.99

BETWEEN THE RAVEN AND THE DOVE BY SOPHIA KINGSHILL

CHILDRENS 10+

Thirteen year old Mag lives with her father in a home for the mentally ill. When one of the patients claim she is not only her mother, but a witch as well, Mag's world is turned upside down. Does she also have special powers? This atmospheric tale has whispers of myth and folklore. Nothing is what it seems. A feisty heroine and an intriguing magical world, this is suitable for fans of Alice in Wonderland and Hex Hall.

ISBN 9781786154804 PB Accent Press £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS MAY 13-14 TH

This week my pick of children's books for The South Wales Evening Post include a young knight fighting the Welsh, an adventurous bear, an exciting adventure, fantasy and an inspiring visual memoir by one of our leading illustrators.

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 SECRET DIARY OF JOHN DRAWBRIDGE BY PHILIP ARDAGH

CHILDREN 7+

John Drawbridge has moved to Widemoat Castle to become a knight. We learn how he's taught to charge with a lance, defend a castle and pick the right falcon by someone's status! When the castle is attacked by the rebellious Welsh can he use all he's learned to defend it? Hilarious and lively illustrations by Jamie Littler. In association with the National Trust, this is part of a brilliant series full of fun and fascinating facts.

ISBN 9780857639011 PB Nosy Crow £6.99

EVERYWHERE BEAR BY JULIA DONALDSON & REBECCA COBB

PICTURE BOOK 3+

A charming adventure of a little bear who's looked after by a year one classroom. One day he becomes lost and embarks on a heart stopping adventure. This pacey rhyming tale follows him down a drain, in a boat, on a lorry and flying through the air. The detailed and endearing illustrations, by Rebecca Cobb, picture a wide range of diverse characters and hobbies making it hugely appealing. The combination of Donaldson's insightful and witty text herald another classic.

ISBN 9781447280736 HB Macmillan £11.99

THE CRYSTAL RUN BY SHEILA O'FLANAGAN

CHILDREN 9+

Chased by bullies, teenager, Joe, accidentally runs through a portal into the magical world of Cacassia. He finds himself in a training camp for a group of teenagers who will become Runners. There he meets Kaia determined to bring glory to her family at a terrible cost. Can he find his way home and help her save her world? A classic fantasy quest full of excitement and vibrant characters. Perfect for fans of Susan Cooper and Cornelia Funke.

ISBN 978444927085 PB Hodder £6.99

TRAVELS WITH MY SKETCHBOOK BY MICHAEL FOREMAN

CHILDREN 10+

Leading illustrator, Michael Foreman shows us an intimate collection of drawings and anecdotes from his travels around the globe. From the ancient land of the Aztec's, travelling by train through Russia, to drawing Mount Fuji in Japan. Armed with pencils and watercolours, he really captures his personal experiences of each place and its people. His jewelled colours add a vibrancy and intimacy. A truly lovely gift for his fans and inspirational for artists, young and old.

ISBN 9781783704729 HB Templar £17.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS MAY 6-7

This week my pick of children's books for The South Wales Evening Post include a story of hope, naughty dinosaurs, a young adventuress with her cats and a lottery win that turns a world upside down.

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 BOY, THE BIRD AND THE COFFIN MAKER BY MATILDA WOODS

CHILDREN 9+

Alberto lives alone making coffins for the people of Allora. When he discovers and helps a mysterious boy and his magical bird they bring colour back into his world. But will the past catch up with them? This beautifully presented tale, with blue tinted text and illustrations by Anuska Allepuz, will enchant middle grade readers upwards. A modern fable of family, loss and ultimately hope. For fans of The Girl of Ink and Stars.

ISBN 9781407178691 PB Scholastic £6.99

KNOCK KNOCK DINOSAUR BY CARYL HART & NICK EAST

PICTURE BOOK 3+

It's great fun when one dinosaur arrives on your doorstep for tea but what happens when fifty four of his friends arrive as well? They draw on the walls, skateboard through the house, even try on his Mum's bra! How can they be stopped from wrecking the house? A playful counting book with rhyming text full of chaos and silliness and ten different types of dinosaur. Perfect for teaching numbers one to ten.

ISBN 9781444928495 PB Hodder £6.99

THE ADVENTURES OF MISS PETITFOUR BY ANNE MICHAELS

CHILDREN 7+

Five deliciously funny stories with Miss Petitfour, cat lover, baker and dancer. Miss Petitfour loves flying off on adventures with her adored cats whether it involves marmalade or lost stamps! A Mary Poppins for a new generation, children will love the madcap, whimsical tales. Warmly illustrated by Emma Block with lyrical text this positively scrumptious little book can be devoured anytime, anywhere. Perfect for bedtime reading and giving as a present.

ISBN 9781408868058 PB Bloomsbury £6.99

WINDFALL BY JENNIFER E.SMITH

YOUNG ADULT 12+

What if you gave your crush a lottery ticket and he won? That's exactly what happens to Alice and Teddy. Will his enormous win tear them apart or can their friendship survive? An endearing tale of first love, family and friendship. It's an intriguing premise with a thought provoking dilemma that would be great for book club discussion. Be careful what you wish for! An insightful, feel good novel.

ISBN 9781509831708 PB Macmillan £7.99