CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS IN THE SOUTH WALES EVENING POST JULY 22-23

This week my children's book reviews include a spellbinding young adult fantasy, a ladybird in search of spots, a nostalgic look at A Midsummer Night's Dream and a contemporary romance for the holidays.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE HAWKWEED LEGACY BY IRENA BRIGNULL

YOUNG ADULT 12+

A bewitching tale of two girls, one boy and an ancient prophecy. Poppy and Ember are bound together by a ravens spell and a battle to become the Queen of the Witches. In the sequel to the Hawkweed Prophecy, will Poppy fulfil her destiny to succeed the throne? Or will her enemies come back from the dead? This beguiling magical tale and its strong female leads, full of betrayal, sorcery and friendship, is spellbinding.

ISBN 9781408341896 PB Orchard Books £7.99

LUCY LADYBIRD BY SHARON KING-CHAI

PICTURE 3+

Lucy ladybird has no spots! To try and fit in she collects different coloured spots from other animals. Her new spots are so pretty and unusual the other ladybirds want to be just like her. Bold and beautiful illustrations take us through the seasons, with a rainbow of colour and has a BIG fold out surprise at the end to captivate children. Shows that enhancing your individuality is a good thing. A joyful read.

ISBN 9781783703920 PB Templar £6.99

TITANIA AND OBERON BY JO MANTON & ILLUSTRATED BY PHYLLIS BRAY

CHILDREN 6+

A glorious hardback reissue of a classic tale, originally published in 1945. Written by Jo Manton, in a mix of prose interspersed with Shakespeare's original verse, this is the perfect introduction to A Midsummer Night's Dream. The ethereal, full colour illustrations, perfectly capture the magic and mystery of the story, with an abundance of fairies, flora and fauna on every page. A stunning gift for all ages.

ISBN 9781843653295 HB Pavilion £12.99

THE UPSIDE OF UNREQUITED BY BECKY ALBERTALLI

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Molly knows all about unrequited love, despite her twin, Cassie, encouraging her to be more confident. Cassie, even tries to set her up with her girlfriend's cute best friend,Will. He'd be a perfect first boyfriend, wouldn't he? So why can't Molly stop thinking about her co worker, Reid, an awkward Tolkien super fan? A coming of age romance about first love, dealing with changing friendships and growing up. Perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell and John Green.

ISBN 97801413561122 PB Penguin £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEWS JULY 15-16

This week my childrens book reviews include  a perfect holiday book of things to do outdoors, a magical celebration of the series, 'That's Not My..., an exploration of famous cities and a heart-warming tale of brotherly love. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE ANTI-BOREDOM BOOK OF BRILLIANT OUTDOOR THINGS TO DO BY ANDY SEED

CHILDRENS 7+

This brilliant book is packed full of fantastic activities, fun games, hilarious facts, laugh out loud jokes and much more. It doesn't matter if it's sunny, raining, or you're in the garden or on the beach, you will find something thing to do. Find out how to set bug traps, create a rainbow or make sand and stone art. Perfect to encourage kids to go outside for the Summer holidays.

ISBN 9781408870099 PB Bloomsbury PB £5.99

THAT'S NOT MY UNICORN BY FIONA WATT & RACHEL WELLS

PICTURE BOOK 2+

The 50^th title in the international best selling series, 'That's Not My..' This silver edged board book, perfect for little hands, will delight babies and toddlers. The bright rainbow coloured pages feature a beautiful unicorn and his friend, a little mouse. Stroke the unicorn's soft mane and ears or touch his sparkly wings and unicorn horn. This tactile book helps sensory and language awareness with its repetitive words and different textures. Also adorably cute!

ISBN 97811474935975 HB Usborne £6.99

IN FOCUS: CITIES BY LIBBY WALDEN

CHILDREN 7+

Ten illustrator's explore ten unique cities. It delves into the cultural, social and historical identities of these world famous metropolis. In this supersized book you can lift the giant flaps to discover trivia and amazing facts. London is the most haunted city in the world. Moscow is home to the world's largest bell and Sydney, the most toxic spider. Paris has more dogs than people. From London to Tokyo, find your favourite city and explore!

ISBN 9781848575912 HB 360 Degrees £15.99

THE NEAREST FAR AWAY PLACE BY HAYLEY LONG

YOUNG ADULT 13+

Two orphaned brothers must leave America to live with their aunt and uncle in Wales. A thought provoking, sensitive tale of the different stages of grief and healing. You're really rooting for the endearing siblings as they try and help each other. I also loved the cultural contrast between living in America and Wales. Flavoured with Dylan Thomas references and quotes, this is a poignant, heart-warming tale of brotherly love.

ISBN 9781471406263 PB Hot Key £6.99

CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW IN THE SOUTH WALES EVENING POST JULY 8-9

This week my children book reviews include  a giraffe who wants to read, an imaginative spin on Little Red Riding Hood, a naughty but very funny monkey and a magical romance for the holidays.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

PAWS OFF MY BOOK BY FABI SANTIAGO

PICTURE BOOK 3+

Olaf the giraffe is really excited when he finds a book. But his pleasure turns to frustration when his friends keep advising him how to read it! Stand on one leg like a flamingo? Hang upside down like a monkey? A charming story of finding your own way. The joyfully, florescent illustrations from the talented illustrator of the magnificent Tiger in a Tutu, really add to the fun. Booklicious!

ISBN 9781407171487 PB Scholastic £6.99

LITTLE RED BY DAVID ROBERTS & LYNN ROBERTS-MALONEY

PICTURE BOOK 4+

An imaginative spin on a classic fairy tale. The story of a boy, a grandmother, a Big Bad Wolf and a keg of ginger beer! Thomas is known as Little Red. When he visits his Grandma she doesn't seem quite herself. Can he save her and himself? The watercolour illustrations are set in the eighteenth century with big wigs and satin dresses. It also has a Tim Burtonesque feel that will delight children and grown ups.

ISBN 9781843653288 PB Pavilion £6.99

THIMBLE MONKEY SUPERSTAR BY JON BLAKE

CHILDREN 7+

When Jams and his family are tricked into looking after a monkey called Thimble, all hell breaks loose. But when Jams is in mortal danger, there is only one monkey who can save the day! An absolutely hilarious story, which has deservedly been shortlisted for the Lollies, Laugh Out Loud Book Awards. This is an imaginative tale,with sharp one liners and a truly batty adventure which is still making me giggle! #votethimble

ISBN 9781910080344 PB Firefly Press £5.99

MISS MATCH BY CRYSTAL CESTARI

CHILDREN 12+

Amber has a gift. She can see someone's soul mate after five seconds of eye contact. This is rather awkward when she falls for the cutest boy in the school but her gift doesn't agree. Will she go against fate and let herself fall for someone who she shouldn't be with? Get swept away by an enchanting clean teen romance this summer. Fans of Geek girl and Girl Online will love this magically messed up romance.

ISBN 9781784299163 PB Quercus £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JULY 1-2

This week my children book reviews include the long awaited return of Dragon Rider, a picture book about a naughty bug, books perfect for little explorers and a mystery to be solved by an intrepid lady's maid .

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE GRIFFIN'S FEATHER BY CORNELIA FUNKE

CHILDREN 8+

A roaring return to the best selling world of Dragon Rider. The last of the winged horses face extinction. Only a griffin's feather will save them. Ben and his dragon, Firedrake volunteer to make the perilous journey to find a feather but Griffin's are a dragon's fiercest enemy. Can they save them? In a vividly portrayed world, richly illustrated throughout, their quest will thrill all middle grade readers. For fans of C.S. Lewis and Harry Potter.

ISBN 9781911077886 PB Chicken House £6.99

BUG BEAR BY PATRICIA HEGARTY

PICTURE BOOK 3+

A small stripy bug wants a warm place to stay. Look out bear, he might ruin your day! Hilarious tale about an uninvited guest who takes a shine to bear's warm, thick fur. The little bug's constant buzzing is distrupting bears day, he can't sleep or relax. Can he find the annoying bug a new home? Funny, rhyming text with bold, expressive illustrations. Great fun for reading out loud.

ISBN 9781848694514 HB Little Tiger £10.99

COMPLETE NIGHT EXPLORER'S KIT BY ROBYN SWIFT

CHILDRENS 6+

Become a night time nature explorer with this fantastic backpack, containing a book; a torch, constellation guide and glow in the dark stickers. Identify nocturnal insects, animals, birds and stars. A great excuse for parents to detach themselves from their phones and get the kids out, connecting with nature. Also available in the series is, Go Wild in the Woods. In association with The National Trust, packed full of activities and facts, it's perfect for little adventurers.

ISBN 9781788000215 PB Nosy Crow £12.99

THE LAST DUCHESS BY LAURA POWELL

CHILDRENS 8+

When thirteen year old Pattern, a lady's maid, is sent to work for royalty, mystery and welsh dragons await. Is the Duchess imagining plots against her or is there something more sinister afoot? A vivid, action packed mystery brimming with nail biting twists. Full of friendship and loyalty with an intrepid heroine at it's heart. Laced with silhouetted illustrations by Sarah Gibb, this is perfect for fans of Robin Stevens and Katherine Woodfine.

ISBN 9781509808908 PB Macmillan £6.99