CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW IN THE SOUTH WALES EVENING POST JUNE 24TH-25TH

This week my children book reviews include a Dickensian thriller based in Cardiff, a baby book about breast feeding, a magical fantasy and a romantic summer read perfect for the holidays.

All in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

GASLIGHT BY ELOISE WILLIAMS

CHILDREN 9+

Set in Victorian Cardiff, fourteen year old Nansi is found alone in the docks. Why has her mother disappeared? Working in a theatre, Nansi is forced to join a crooked psychic act. Does the theatre owner know what happened to her mother? A deliciously dark, historical thriller that is evocative and intriguing. Wonderfully atmospheric with a determined feisty heroine and a menacing villain who has a distinctive Dickensian flavour. A great gift and perfect for book group discussion.

ISBN 9781910080542 PB Firefly Press £6.99

WHAT DOES BABY WANT? BY TUPERA TUPERA

PICTURE BOOK 0-2 YRS

This entertaining little board book is a light hearted and extremely funny story about breast feeding. It portrays a scenario every parent will recognise. A hungry baby who will not be soothed by his toy bear, ball or tambourine. Only his mothers milk will do! Baby's face and different moods fill the circular pages including happy, sad, angry and content. Highly appealing and playful, this will certainly add a smile. A great little gift for baby showers!

ISBN 9780714874074 HB Phaidon £8.95

MOONLOCKET BY PETER BUNZL

CHILDRENS 9+

The adventure continues for Lily, Robert and Malkin, their mechanical fox. Unwittingly caught up in a search for missing treasure, the moonlocket, they find themselves in the path of danger. Will they outwit criminal mastermind Jack Door? This brilliant sequel to Cogheart is full of daring, danger and family secrets in a richly imagined world that will sweep you away. A fantasy series that is magical, mysterious and mesmerising.

ISBN 9781474915014 PB Usborne £6.99

A GIRLS GUIDE TO SUMMER BY SARAH MLYNOWSKI

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Sydney and her best friend Leela are escaping to Europe for a month. No boys or family drama. What could possibly go wrong? It doesn't start well when Leela's ex boyfriend turns up. Back packing through London, Italy and everywhere in between these friends have a blast and take the reader along for the ride. This is a fun, light hearted read perfect for the Summer holidays. Suitable for fans of E. Lockhart and Holly Smale.

ISBN 9781408343869 PB Orchard Books £7.99

FATHERS DAY CHILDRENS BOOK COLUMN SOUTH WALES EVENING POST JUNE 17-18

This week my pick of children's book include two picture books perfect for Fathers Day this Sunday. Also an educational activity book about sea creatures and a young adult historical romance set in World War Two.

All in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

ME AND MY DAD BY ROBIN SHAW

PICTURE BOOK 3+

A young girl goes on a walk with her dad. She discovers castles, crocodiles and dinosaurs but the best surprise is at the end. A joyful celebration of the bond between Father and child and the power of the imagination. The illustrations are to be savoured, poured over and shared. The first children's book from the animator of Snowman and Snow Dog, this will transport, inspire and melt hearts. Perfect for Fathers Day.

ISBN 9781444928112 HB Hodder Books £12.99

I LOVE MY GRANDAD BY GILES ANDREAE & EMMA DODD

PICTURE BOOK 2+

Special Grandad's should always be remembered on Fathers Day. Feel the joy and fun of spending the day with Grandad. Whether its playing games, solving problems or going on adventures, they are a treasure trove of information and ideas. Bold cheerful illustrations perfectly capture the loving relationship between the generations. A great gift to share.

ISBN 9781408338179 PB Orchard Books £6.99

SHARKS AND OTHER SEA CREATURES BY DORLING KINDERSLEY

CHILDREN 4+

Want to explore the ocean? Find out about super sharks, pretty parrot fish, and all their friends? This is a blend of educational content and simple creative fun. Why not paint a puffer fish, make your own jellyfish or create an ocean in an egg box! Imaginative and informative this is wonderful to engage young minds with fun projects and facts. Also in the series are farm animals, bugs and forest life. Perfect for the holidays.

ISBN 9780241274385 HB Dorling Kindersley £7.99

A BERLIN LOVE SONG BY SARAH MATTHIAS

YOUNG ADULT 13+

Set against the backdrop of World War Two, seventeen year old,German schoolboy, Max falls in love with Lili, a Romani trapeze artist from a travelling circus. Will their forbidden love survive when he is conscripted into the SS? A beautiful, heartbreaking romance that shines a light on the Romani Holocaust. A powerful, bitter sweet, insightful novel that will stay with you long after you finish it. Great for discussion in teenage and adult book clubs.

ISBN 9781909991408 PB Troika Books £7.99

CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS THE SOUTH WALES EVENING POST JUNE 10-11

This week my pick of children's book include two picture books perfect for Fathers Day next Sunday. Also two middle grade fiction books, one magical adventure set in Edwardian Hove and a heart warming quest about diversity and acceptance . All in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

YOUR BABY'S FIRST WORD WILL BE DADA BY JIMMY FALLON

PICTURE BOOK 2+

Your baby's first word will be DADA! Right? Everyone knows that fathers wage a secret campaign to ensure that their babies first word is DADA but does it work? A witty picture book from one of America's top entertainers shows Dads how to do it. Fiendishly simple and cheeky Dad's will love reading it with their children on Fathers Day next Sunday. The naughty illustrations by Miguel Ordonez just add to the fun.

ISBN 9781444931440 PB Hodder Books £6.99

JUST LIKE DADDY BY LUCY FREEGARD

PICTURE BOOK 3+

Daddy deals with scary monsters, plays silly games and puts on funny voices for bedtime stories. An endearing playful tale for children who want to be just like their dads. Adorable watercolour and ink illustrations really capture their close relationship. It shows a child's love and close bond that makes it the perfect gift for Fathers Day, next weekend. Also, a lovely reminder to cherish those precious moments together.

ISBN 97811843653370 PB Pavilion Books £6.99

THE AMBER PENDANT BY IMOGEN WHITE

CHILDREN 9+

Rose Muddle, a workhouse girl in Edwardian Hove, becomes a maid for a strange new mistress. When Rose becomes the guardian of a magical amber pendant she faces new dangers. With her new friend Rui and his mischievous pet monkey Bahula, can they defeat the shady Brotherhood of the Black Sun? Will Rose find her true destiny? A courageous heroine, rip roaring adventure and enchanted jewels, this is perfect for Harry Potter fans.

ISBN 9781474927291 PB Usborne £6.99

BEYOND THE BRIGHT SEA BY LAUREN WOLK

CHILDRENS 9+

Crow lives on a tiny island with Osh, who rescued her from the sea. All she had to identify her was a feather shaped birthmark, a ruby ring and a partial letter. A mysterious fire across the waters sets of a chain of events that will help Crow find her true home. As her past and present collide she must decide who she is in this evocative and heart warming quest about diversity and acceptance.

ISBN 9780552574303 PB Penguin £6.99

CHILDRENS BOOK COLUMN SOUTH WALES EVENING POST JUNE 3-4

This week my pick of children's book include a tense whodunnit, two naughty crocodiles, the return of Tom Gates and a fantasy adventure epic. All in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

ONE OF US IS LYING BY KAREN M. MCMANUS

YOUNG ADULT 13+

When Simon, the notorious school gossip is murdered, four class mates are in the frame. The geek; the beauty; the bad boy and the jock. They all have secrets but how far will they go to keep them hidden? A gripping psychological murder mystery. This exciting, taut story will reel you in and keep you hooked until the final reveal. The Breakfast Club meets Pretty Little Liars.

ISBN9780141375632 PB Penguin Random House £7.99

SOLOMON AND MORTIMER BY CATHERINE RAYNER

PICTURE BOOK 3+

Solomon crocodile has a new friend called Mortimer. But they are both bored and no one else wants to have fun. It's double trouble! When they play a trick on an unsuspecting hippo will the hippo jump out of his skin or will there be crocodile tears? Energetic illustrations really capture the crocodile's character and home. Children will delight in this naughty duo and it's a great story for reading out loud.

ISBN 9781509830459 PB Macmillan Childrens £6.99

FAMILY, FRIENDS AND FURRY CREATURES BY LIZ PICHON

CHILDREN 7+

An hilarious new Tom Gates adventure. His teacher, Mr Fullerman sets them an new class assignment, mapping out a family tree! Is Tom ready for all the revelations he discovers about his family? A book that champions reading with family and friends. Hugely entertaining and heavily illustrated with a mix of different texts and doodles this will keep the most distractable child entertained in this laugh out loud caper.

ISBN 9781407168111 HB Scholastic £10.99

LORD OF SHADOWS BY CASSANDRA CLARE

YOUNG ADULT 13+

The second in the stunning Dark Artifices trilogy. Emma's love for her warrior partner, Julian is forbidden and could destroy them both. With new threats emerging, including the ruthless Faerie King, can Emma protect her family? Will the price for her love be too high? A breathtakingly epic fantasy adventure that will make you laugh and cry. Full of friendship; family; loyalty and love that crackles with excitement and romance. This has it all!

ISBN 9781471116650 PB Simon & Schuster £12.99