SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW JANUARY 27-28

This week my children's book reviews include a thrilling middle grade fantasy, an wolf pup who's determined to play by his own rules, a fascinating book on the ocean for the very young and a the continuing adventures of a young girl and her beloved pony.

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

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

TWISTER BY JULIETTE FORREST

CHILDREN 9+

Twister's father is missing. To find him she must wear an enchanted necklace given to her by a witch. It can turn the wearer into a wolf, a rainstorm or a raging river. But everything has a price. A whirlwind of an adventure, an irresistible cast and a courageous heroine will sweep you away into this richly embroidered and magical world. Twister's thrilling quest will carry you through every emotion. Hansel and Gretel meets The Wizard of Oz.

ISBN 9781407170992 PB Scholastic £6.99

ERIK THE LONE WOLF BY SARAH FINAN

PICTURE BOOK 3+

Erik, the wolf cub, has had enough of being told what to do by his pack. He is determined to become a lone wolf and follow his own rules. When Erik has an accident who will come to his aid? Children will love the adorable and impressionistic illustrations of Erik exploring the snow-capped mountains in his little red scarf. A howling success full of fun, family and teamwork.

ISBN 9781786030108 HB First Editions £11.99

HIDDEN WORLD: OCEAN BY LIBBY WALDEN & STEPHANIE FIZER-COLEMAN

PICTURE BOOK 5+

Did you know the largest giant squid ever found was the length of a bus? Or that there are three thousand different species of sea slug? This sturdy lift the flap book is packed to the gills with a sea of facts about ocean life with themes including Giants, Colourful Creatures and the Coral Reef. Sumptuous illustrations makes it a tremendous first non-fiction book for young readers to encourage future generations to protect and preserve our planet.

ISBN 9781848576087 HB 360 Degrees £9.99

A FRIEND IN NEED BY OLIVIA TUFFIN

CHILDREN 8+

Alice is so excited to join the pony club with her gorgeous pony Secret. When a pony escapes on a snowy night can Alice and her friend Finn rescue her? Will their delicate friendship survive the storm? The unspoken bond between Alice and her pony is touching as she is part of the family and helps them unite. The author's genuine love and knowledge of ponies shines through the pages and will satisfy the most ardent animal lover.

ISBN 978178000277 PB Nosy Crow £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW JANUARY 20-21

This week my children's book reviews include the memoir of an inspirational young dancer, a counting, rhyming pirate picture book, the adventures of a cheeky pigeon and a deliciously dark fairy fantasy.

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

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

GIRL ON POINTE BY CHLOE LUKASIAK

CHILDREN 10+

An insightful, charming and inspiring read from this young dancer and social media star. An eclectic mix of her likes (ballet, books and cookie dough!) and dislikes, how she dealt with bullies, her Dance Moms fame and the challenges of growing up. A relatable memoir full of photos, fun and useful facts and Chloe's poetry. A behind the scenes glimpse into what it is like to grow up in the spotlight.

ISBN 9781408896952 HB Bloomsbury £12.99

KNOCK KNOCK PIRATE BY CARYL HART & NICK EAST

PICTURE BOOK 4+

A jolly rhyming picture book about a little girl who is swept up in a swashbuckling adventure with some rather naughty pirates. This fun counting book is exciting and pacy and will keep the little ones heartily entertained. They will love sailing the high seas on a ship where even the granny, granddad and baby are pirates. Bold and energetic illustrations with lots to discover that will keep children and adults amused.

ISBN 9781444928501 HB Hodder £12.99

DAVE PIGEON (RACER!) BY SWAPNA HADDOW & SHEENA DEMPSEY

CHILDREN 7+

Dave Pigeon is flying high in his third book of the series. Dave is finally getting his wing fixed. Everything is going 'feathertastically' well until a dastardly parrot dares him to race. This plucky pigeon with his diabolically dry wit will entertain both children and adults and have them 'twit-wooing' with laughter. The hilarious illustrations are the perfect compliment to the adventure and add to the fun. A brilliant series for early readers.

ISBN 9780571336906 PB Faber & Faber £5.99

THE CRUEL PRINCE BY HOLLY BLACK

YOUNG ADULT 13+

Abducted by faeries Jude and her sisters must become ruthless and cunning to survive in the royal court. Betrayal is around every corner, especially in the disguise of a certain faery prince. A dark and beguiling fantasy that sees how human strengths and weaknesses can be used for good and bad. This addictive tale and it's vibrant cast of characters has hints of King Arthur's court and a knights quest with a magical twist.

ISBN 9781471406454 HB Hot Key £12.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JAN 13-14

This week my children's book reviews include a heart stopping fantasy, a courageous stoat, a history of when women won the right to vote and an empathetic romance that deals with diversity and prejudice.

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

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

EVERLESS BY SARA HOLLAND

YOUNG ADULT 12+

In a mythical kingdom time is currency and only the rich live for centuries. When Jules is forced to work for the ruling family to buy time for her dying father, she is torn between two brothers who may know the truth about her mysterious past. A seductive world that reveals it's secrets with every Machiavellian twist and turn. You will want to stop time to finish reading this book in one sitting.

ISBN 9781408353394 HB Orchard £12.99

THE TRAVELS OF ERMINE BY JENNIFER GRAY & ELISA PAGANELLI

CHILDREN 6+

Ermine is a little stoat determined to see the world. First on her list is New York and she can't wait to see Central Park Zoo; The Rockefeller Building and ride in a yellow taxi. But when her suitcase is switched Ermine finds herself chased by robbers. This tiny heroine will charm young readers with her bravery; humour and independence. Brimming with black and white illustrations that pepper every page, this is a lovely gift.

ISBN 9781474927253 PB Usborne £5.99

REBEL VOICES BY EVE LLOYD KNIGHT & LOUISE KAY STEWART

CHILDREN 8+

This stunning book celebrates the brave campaigners who fought for women's right to vote. Tracing its history from the pioneering women of New Zealand in 1893 to online activism in Kuwait in 2005, this will educate; surprise, outrage and ultimately empower. Partnered with striking illustrations, this is about strong and courageous women who refused to bow to convention and were brave enough to fight to have their voice heard. Inspiring.

ISBN 9781526300232 HB Wren & Rook £12.99

LOVE, HATE & OTHER FILTERS BY SAMIRA AHMED

YOUNG ADULT 14+

Maya dreams of being a filmmaker in New York but her family have other ideas. She is also torn between the boy she should like and the one she does like. Then a suicide bomber changes their destiny forever. This romantic and relevant debut about Islamophobia shows how it affects the typical life of a teenage girl. The book has a compelling empathetic voice which will touch your heart as it copes with themes of diversity; prejudice and multiculturalism.

ISBN 9781471407147 PB Hot Key £ 7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW JAN 6-7

This week my children's book reviews include a magical ice-bound adventure, an alternative Cinderella fairy tale, a magical treehouse and a thriller set in space.

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

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

SKY SONG BY ABI ELPHINSTONE

CHILDREN 9+

Eska breaks free from a cursed music box to join Flint, a young inventor, to fight the evil Ice Queen in the snowy kingdom of Erkenwald. Can they free their home from her glacial control? Children will be enthralled by the eagle huntress, the organ made of ice and the close friendships at its centre. Full of myth and magic this sparkling adventure within an enchanted world will melt your heart. Narnia meets Frozen.

ISBN 978147114677 PB Simon & Schuster £6.99

ASH BOY BY LUCY COATS & MARK BEECH

CHILDREN 6+

When Cinder's widowed father remarries a total horror who has two bullying sons, Rock and Boulder, he doesn't think life could get much worse. Cinder just wants to have some peace in his beloved library. However, his fairy godmother magically enters him into a jousting contest. What could go wrong? An hilarious alternative to Cinderella that is guaranteed to have you in stitches. It is super readable and suitable for reluctant and dyslexic readers.

ISBN 9781781127186 PB Barrington Stoke £5.99

THE 91- STOREY TREEHOUSE BY ANDY GRIFFITHS AND TERRY DENTON

CHILDREN 8+

Meet Andy and his best friend Terry, who live in the most magnificent tree house ever! The seventh in this crazily imaginative series their treehouse just keeps getting bigger. They've added a whirlpool, a mashed-potato-and-gravy train and a human pinball machine. But can Terry resist pressing the Big Red Button? This is packed with fun, adventure and cartoons and will ignite children's imagination and have them roaring with laughter. It is perfect for reluctant readers.

ISBN 9781509839162 PB Macmillan £5.99

SATELLITE BY NICK LAKE

YOUNG ADULT 13+

Leo has never set foot on Earth. Born and raised with twins, Orion and Libra, on a space station they must prepare to go home, back to Earth. But none of them can imagine the irreversible consequences their return will set into motion. A smart, highly original thriller based around real science that has longing and belonging at its centre. This atmospheric philosophical story will pull you into the beauty and magnitude of outer space.

ISBN 9781444936773 PB Hodder £7.99