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