SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW DEC 30-31

This week my children's book reviews include a Jurassic World style adventure, an enormous book of art, a map of monsters and a time travelling football adventure!

Also in the Weekend section of

The South Wales Evening Post.

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE EXTINCTION TRIALS BY S.M.WILSON

YOUNG ADULT 12+

In a land full of monsters the only way to survive is to risk everything. Stormchaser wants to escape her starved, grey life while Lincoln wants to save his dying sister. To do so they must enter a dangerous competition on an island of dinosaurs. Atmospheric world building and a strong cast, this is a nerve-jangling, gut-wrenching, vivid story of survival, friendship and betrayal. Jurassic Park meets Hunger Games.

ISBN 9781474927345 PB Usborne £7.99

A IS FOR ART BY PAUL THURLBY

CHILDREN 5+

Discover famous painters and timeless works of art on an alphabetical tour of the National Gallery in London. From Da Vinci to Monet, from medieval masters to the French impressionists this will demystify some of the nations greatest art treasures for little ones. The large format book is bursting with fascinating facts and sumptuous high quality reproductions that makes it perfect for art lovers of all ages to share.

ISBN 9781444933673 HB Hodder £14.99

THE ATLAS OF MONSTERS BY STUART HILL & SANDRA LAWRENCE

CHILDREN 7+

A mysterious collection of maps has been discovered showing where in the world mythological monsters can be found. Has intrepid explorer, Cornelius Walters, really recorded the truth or is it a hoax? Inside you will find trolls and dragons, minotaurs and krackens, plus there is also a puzzle for young adventurers to solve along the way. The spectacular illustrations evoke the beauty of a medieval map in this large format book but with a contemporary twist.

ISBN 9781783706969 HB Big Picture Press £14.99

DEFENDERS: DARK ARENA BY TOM PALMER

CHILDREN 9+

The second in a spooky new series that combines the thrills of football, history and supernatural sleuthing. Seth and Nadiya must investigate when ghostly activities threaten a premier League club as they build a new stadium on Roman ruins. Can the friends face their fears against an army of zombie-slaves and a ruthless and corrupt tycoon? An accessible and exciting read that will enthrall the most reluctant of readers.

ISBN 9781781127308 PB Barrington Stoke £6.99

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

WISHING EVERYONE A VERY 

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018!

Zoe x

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW DEC 16-17

This week my children's book reviews include an enchanting Christmas adventure, festive dolls to dress, a puffin and his friend hatching a surprise for the holidays and a much loved teddy bear meeting Santa Claus.

Also in the Weekend section of

The South Wales Evening Post.

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

ONE CHRISTMAS WISH BY KATHERINE RUNDELL & EMILY SUTTON

CHILDREN 5+

It's Christmas Eve, and Theo is lonely. He makes a wish to have some friends to keep him company. Moments later four Christmas decorations, a tin soldier, a rocking horse, an angel and a robin, come to life. They embark on an enchanting Christmas adventure and a little mischief! Written with generous helpings of warmth and humour, this is a story about treasuring the people you love at this time of year. A beautiful gift to treasure.

ISBN 9781408885727 HB Bloomsbury £14.99

LITTLE STICKER DOLLY DRESSING: CHRISTMAS BY FIONA WATT & LIZZIE MACKAY

CHILDREN 5+

An entertaining little book full of dolls in winter scenes to dress and accessorize using the two hundred stickers included. Visit the winter forest and dress Belle and Bianca to keep them warm or build a snowman and go ice skating. Then children can decorate the Christmas tree or go to the Nutcracker ballet and dress Clara in a tutu. A perfect stocking filler that will provide hours of festive fun.

ISBN 9781474927970 PB Usborne £5.99

POLLY AND THE PUFFIN: THE HAPPY CHRISTMAS BY JENNY COLGAN & THOMAS DOCHERTY

CHILDREN 5+

Polly and her puffin friend Neil have wrapped their presents and written to Santa, but Christmas is taking too long to arrive! Worse still Neil is helping to keep an egg warm and has no time to play. Will it hatch in time for Christmas? With gorgeous two-colour illustrations throughout this little hardback is perfect for reading aloud and includes festive recipes and activities. A little treasure that would make it a lovely gift.

ISBN 978510200920 HB Little, Brown Books £7.99

TEDDY ROBINSON MEETS FATHER CHRISTMAS AND OTHER STORIES BY JOAN G. ROBINSON

CHILDREN 6+

A collection of seasonal adventures with the much-loved bear Teddy Robinson. The little bear and his best friend Deborah meets Father Christmas, is bewitched by some cheeky fairies and sees his first firework display. These sweet and nostalgic stories, illustrated with the author's gorgeous line drawings, will enchant readers and are perfect bedtime stories to share on a winter night. A cosy classic full of warmth and humour that will ignite a child's imagination.

ISBN 9781509806133 PB Macmillan £5.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW DEC 9-10

This week my children's book reviews include a stunning non fiction title about the ways of the wolf, a interactive nativity story, a tale about a young boy who tries to be Father Christmas and a young girl who time travels back to World War Two and befriends a sheepdog on a Welsh Farm.

Also in the Weekend section of

The South Wales Evening Post.

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE WAYS OF THE WOLF BY SMRITI PRASADAM-HALLS & JONATHAN WOODWARD

CHILDREN 7+

This stunning book unveils the natural history of wolves and their bid for survival in an ever decreasing habitat. Endorsed by the Wolf Conservation Trust, children can learn about the different types of wolves, how they communicate and hunt and the legends that follow them. The haunting and powerful imagery which accompany the lyrical text makes it a poem about the beauty of the wolf. Gripping and fascinating, this is a Christmas present to treasure!!

ISBN 9781526360304 HB Wren & Rook £12.99

MAKE & PLAY NATIVITY BY JOEY CHOU

CHILDREN 4+

In this innovative activity book children can assemble their own nativity scene. Featuring twenty figures and animals; the press out pieces can simply slot together to create the perfect display at Christmas time. It includes Mary, Joseph, the three kings, animals and a manger which can also be used as teaching tool. After reading the story, kids can sing Christmas songs and make crafts as instructed in the back. A festive treat to share and enjoy!

ISBN 9781788000062 HB Nosy Crow £7.99

I KILLED FATHER CHRISTMAS BY ANTHONY MCGOWAN ILLUSTRATED BY CHRIS RIDDELL

CHILDREN 5+

Jo-Jo thinks that Christmas is cancelled and it's all his fault. To make amends, he decides that he must become Father Christmas! This hilarious and tender-hearted tale, with family and friendship at its centre, is ideal for dyslexic, early and reluctant readers. Richly illustrated by Chris Riddell, in full colour, this merry little story is ideal for reading alone or sharing and also has activities and jokes inside the jacket flaps. A great stocking filler!

ISBN 9781781127100 PB Barrington Stoke £6.99

THE STORM DOG BY HOLLY WEBB

CHILDREN 7+

Tilly is excited to spend Christmas in Wales but when she falls asleep on the train she wakes up to find herself in World War Two experiencing the same journey as her great-gran. Tilly is evacuated to a Welsh Farm and befriends,Tarran, a sheepdog. When they are cut off by a snowstorm, she needs to be brave. A magical winter adventure that is accompanied by charming line illustrations. Ideal to snuggle up with on a cold winter night.

ISBN 9781847157935 HB Stripes £8.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW DEC 2-3

This week my children's book reviews include a Christmas activity book perfect for the festive season, the story of the nativity for the very young, a musical retelling of the Nutcracker and a new doggy super hero from the author of Captain Underpants.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE USBORNE LITTLE CHILDREN'S CHRISTMAS ACTIVITY BOOK

CHILDREN 5+

The ideal stocking filler for the holidays. An activity book packed with things to do so grab a pen and have fun! Children can colour in decorations and spot a missing elf or penguin. They can also use the stickers included to decorate cookies, a Christmas tree or dress Santa and Mrs Claus. It is packed full of puzzles and games galore that kids can play on their own or share with a friend.

ISBN 9781474923897 PB Usborne £6.99

BUSY NATIVITY BY EMILY BOLAM

BOARD BOOK 2+

The perfect introduction for little ones to the story of the first Christmas. Children can push, pull and turn the tabs while joining Mary and Joseph on their long journey to Bethlehem. They can spot angels, kings and animals or rock baby Jesus in his crib. A bright and colourful sturdy board book with rhyming text as well as a question on each spread to encourage gentle discussion.

ISBN 9781509828951 HB Campbell Books £4.99

THE STORY ORCHESTRA: THE NUTCRACKER BY JESSICA COURTNEY-TICKLE

CHILDREN 5+

A magical retelling of the classic Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker. Each spread features a musical note to touch so you can hear ten seconds of Tchaikovsky's original score to bring the story to life. Follow Clara as she meets the Sugar Plum Fairy, watch the battle of the Mouse King and journey to the Land of Sweets. An excellent introduction to a family favourite and classical music and ballet.

ISBN 9781786030009 HB Frances Lincoln £14.99

DOG MAN: A TALE OF TWO KITTIES BY DAV PILKEY

CHILDREN 7+

The newest superhero from the creator of Captain Underpants hasn't always been a paw-sitive addition to the police force. He need to impress his Chief by catching two cat burglars. Will Dog Man catch these devious furballs and prove he's top dog or will they get away with the purrfect crime? A full-colour comic book series encouraging reluctant readers and also perfect for graphic novel fans. It's bursting with jokes, cartoons and tail wagging antics.

ISBN 9780545935210 HB Scholastic £10.99