SOUTH WALES EVENING POST HALLOWEEN CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW OCT 28-29

This week my children's book reviews include a much anticipated return to Philip Pullman's world of 'His Dark Materials', a picture book celebrating the moon, a hairy scary adventure for early readers and a cheeky heroine who would much prefer to be an actress rather than a witch!  

Perfect for Halloween.

Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. 

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE BOOK OF DUST BY PHILIP PULLMAN

YOUNG ADULT 13+

The much anticipated return to the parallel world of, 'His Dark Materials' does not disappoint. When eleven year old Malcolm's meets a baby called Lyra he must make a dangerous journey which seals his fate. A vividly painted world, with huge dollops of Pullman's colourful imagination, carries you away into a spellbinding odyssey full of magic and mystery from the very first pages. A true embroiderer of words that will enthral young and old.

ISBN 9780385604413 HB David Fickling £20

MOON BY BRITTA TECKENTRUP

PICTURE BOOK 4+

A stunningly atmospheric die-cut picture book which takes readers on a journey into a nocturnal world celebrating the moon. As you turn the dusky peek-through pages it reveals the shimmering foiled moon changing shape as it goes through the lunar cycle. The world below is busy with night-time animals;foxes;turtles and birds. This is a luminescent tale of shared hopes and dreams that will captivate little readers at bedtime.

ISBN 9781848696679 HB Little Tiger Press £10.99

RISE OF THE HAIRY HORROR BY KES GRAY

CHILDREN 5+

Jack Beechwhistle is no ordinary boy, he's a junior secret agent and he has a new mission. There is a new hairdresser called Valentino in town and he is acting very suspiciously. Is he really an evil villain? Packed with comic book style art work and hilarious survival tips that will thoroughly entertain fans of the bestselling Daisy series. Suitable for new, independent and reluctant readers it's perfect for little mischief makers.

ISBN 9781782953043 PB Red Fox £5.99

YOU CAN'T MAKE ME GO TO WITCH SCHOOL BY EM LYNAS

CHILDREN 7+

Daisy Wart is definitely NOT a witch. She is going to be an actress! Can she escape Toadspit Towers to follow her dreams? A new magical school series full of sprightly illustrations by Jamie Littler. Daisy is a delightfully cheeky and determined heroine who is really endearing and funny. A cauldron of colourful characters who will charm it's young readers. Mallory Towers meets The Worst Witch with a dollop of theatrics thrown in,”Darling!”

ISBN 9781788000130 PB Nosy Crow £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW OCT 21-22

This week my children's book reviews include a time traveller, a witch looking for love, a ghostly tale and a gothic fantasy. Perfect for Halloween.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE WITCH OF DEMON ROCK BY GABRIELLE KENT

CHILDREN 9+

When Alfie Bloom travels back to the 1400's to begin training with Orin, a great druid, he begins to understand how powerful the magic he protects really is. It seemed like a good idea to take some friends back in time but when they start falling victim to a creature of shadows he must undertake a quest to find help. A thoroughly entertaining fantasy adventure series full of thrills and intrigue, perfect for Harry Potter fans.

ISBN 9781407155814 PB Scholastic £6.99

PRETTY BY CANIZALES

PICTURE BOOK 3+

The witch has been invited on a date but some well meaning animals think she should make herself prettier. Can she cast a spell on herself? A magical and funny story showing why it's always best to be yourself, not what others want you to be. A timely lesson for today's growing 'selfie' generation. It finishes with a surprisingly shocking twist that children will love. Thought provoking and great for reading out in class.

ISBN 9781783707942 PB Templar £6.99

THE GHOST IN ANNIE'S ROOM BY PHILIPPA PEARCE

CHILDREN 5+

Emma has to stay in the attic room of her great aunt's small house. Her brother insists it's haunted by her aunt's missing daughter and no one will tell Emma the truth. Could he be right? Emma must face her fears and uncover the mystery. This is a gently spooky story for Halloween, full of atmospheric colour illustrations by Cate James and clear spaced out text. Perfect for new readers with activities inside the flaps.

ISBN 9781781126851 PB Barrington Stoke £6.99

ONE DARK THRONE BY KENDAR BLAKE

YOUNG ADULT 13+

Three sisters are still fighting over one throne, only one can win, the other two must die. Powerful and emotive, you're heart will quicken as tensions rise and surprising twists and turns keep you guessing until it's final epic conclusion. Feast on this darkly Gothic world with it's large cast of dramatic and troubled characters. No one is safe. The gripping and brutal sequel to Three Dark Crowns.

ISBN 9781509807734 PB Macmillan £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS'S BOOK REVIEW OCT 14-15

This week my children's book reviews include an extraordinary futuristic adventure, a picture book about a grumpy bat, an enchanting new series for early readers and an alternative take on classic villains. Perfect for Halloween.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE EXTRAORDINARY COLOURS OF AUDEN DARE BY ZILLAH BETHELL

CHILDREN 9+

Moving to his deceased uncle's house Auden makes an extraordinary discovery. Under the garden shed he finds a human-like robot called Paragon, but what is he for? Will he help Auden see colour again? Paragon leads him on a thrilling journey of discovery set against a totalitarian society which is fighting over water. A captivating, futuristic adventure about friendship, family and hope. A wonderful gift and perfect for book club discussion. Artificial Intelligence meets ET.

ISBN 9781848126084 PB Piccadilly Press £6.99

I AM BAT BY MORAG HOOD

PICTURE BOOK 3+

A simple, charming story about a little bat who loves cherries but does not like sharing. When his cherries keep disappearing Bat must find out who is taking them. A pertinent story about the pros and con's of coveting and sharing you possessions. Despite all his failings, children will love this grumpy, little bat. The bold, luminous illustrations add layers and humour to the story about learning to share.

ISBN 9781509834617 HB Two Hoots £11.99

WITCH FOR A WEEK BY KAYE UMANSKY ILLUSTRATED BY ASHLEY KING

CHILDREN 7+

When Elsie offers to house-sit for the local witch, Magenta Sharp, she doesn't expect a talking raven, some very high-maintenance neighbours and a box of magic, with a sell by date. A spellbinding new series for young readers who will be absolutely charmed by the hilarious story of mishaps, mayhem and magic. This cauldron of endearing characters, adventure and laughs reminded me of Shrek but with witches!

ISBN 9781471160905 PB Simon & Schuster £6.99

BECAUSE YOU LOVE TO HATE ME EDITED BY AMERIIE

YOUNG ADULT 12+

An alternative anthology of short stories from the point of view of famous villains. Featuring the biggest names in young adult fiction, they have written their own spins on classics, inspired by well known BookTubers. Stories that have inspired them include King Arthur, The little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast, amongst others. Thirteen morsels of wickedness to feast on for Halloween, if you dare?

ISBN 9781408882764 PB Bloomsbury £7.99

CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW IN THE SOUTH WALES EVENING POST OCT 7-8

This week my children's book reviews include a classic middle grade adventure that will sweep you away, a children's encyclopaedia, a ghostly adventure for reluctant readers and a really scary romance for teens.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

NEVERMOOR:THE TRIALS OF MORRIGAN CROW BY JESSICA TOWNSEND

CHILDREN 9+

Just as cursed child, Morrigan Crow is about to die on her eleventh birthday, a stranger called Jupiter North whisks her away to a magical city called Nevermoor. But she must compete in dangerous trials to stay there. An extraordinary world with a colourful cast, this is a future modern classic that is a combination of Harry Potter meets Alice in Wonderland. You will find a friend in Morrigan, the bold; bright and audacious heroine.

ISBN 9781510104112 HB Hachette £12.99

DK CHILDREN'S ENCYCLOPEDIA BY DORLING KINDERSLEY

CHILDREN 7+

Packed with fascinating and essential facts on favourite subjects, including animals, history, science and much more, this is a book of wonder. Beautiful illustrations, maps and photos bring every page to life. Ever wonder what a planet is? The difference between frogs and toads? Why not dive straight into a journey of discovery. This is a book to inspire and inform and will absorb and engage children of all ages. The perfect gift to treasure.

ISBN 9780241283868 HB Dorling Kindersley £25

TOO GHOUL FOR SCHOOL BY BARRY HUTCHISON

CHILDREN 9+

An hilarious story full of ghosts, magic and outrageous battles. When a secret ghost battling organisation, The Spectre Collectors, recruit Denzel and his best friend Smithy, they are thrown into a spooky and exciting adventure. Tested with awesome weapons and ancient magic, can Denzel use his special abilities to fight a fearsome enemy? Engaging characters, cool gadgets and monsters galore, this is a great story for reluctant readers. Ghostbusters meets the Goonies.

ISBN 9780857639608 PB Nosy Crow £6.99

THERE'S SOMEONE INSIDE YOUR HOUSE BY STEPHANIE PERKINS

YOUNG ADULT 13+

Makani lives in Nebraska and is running from her past. Just as life starts to look up, with new friends and a romance with mysterious outsider Ollie, the pupils at her school start to be brutally murdered. This unsettling horror is a departure from this author's usual romance. In the same genre as Scream and I know What You Did Last Summer, it will chill you to the bone. Perfect for the lead up to Halloween.

ISBN 9781509859801 PB Macmillan £7.99