SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS FEB 24-25

This week my children's book reviews include an fun introduction to Ancient Rome, a friendly dragon who wants to find a new home, some toy rabbits who come to life when no one is looking and a teenage girl who is finding her way in the world on her own terms. 

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

Enjoy

BOOK OF THE WEEK

MEET THE ANCIENT ROMANS BY JAMES DAVIES

CHILDREN 7+

This vibrant, playful introduction to Ancient Rome is a cool way to encourage children to explore ancient civilisations and develop an interest in history. It covers the role of emperors and gladiators to their invention of concrete and the calendar. The food was a little less appetising however, cow brains or dormouse in honey anyone? The small format is highly visual and packed with cartoon-style illustrations. This entertaining series also includes Meet The Ancient Egyptians.

ISBN 9781787410527 HB Big Picture Press £9.99

LOOK OUT, IT'S A DRAGON! BY JONNY LAMBERT

PICTURE BOOK 3+

A gentle and kind dragon Saffi, does not enjoy crushing castles and capturing princesses. When she finds a new and tranquil home how can she persuade her neighbours she's not a threat but a friend? The gorgeous illustrations of the sea blue dragon alongside the adorable array of creatures will charm and delight. This heart-warming tale of bravery, overcoming prejudices and finding new friends is crafted with the lightest of touches. Beautiful.

ISBN 9781848698215 HB Little Tiger Press £11.99

MEET THE TWITCHES BY HAYLEY SCOTT & PIPPA CURNICK

CHILDREN 7+

Meet the Twitches, four toy rabbits who live inside a tiny Teacup House and come alive when no one is looking! When their young owner Stevie loses Daddy rabbit they need to find him and quickly. An engaging magical story which shows a modern family dynamic that children will relate to. This is suitable for early readers with large text and adorable full-colour illustrations throughout. The perfect alternative to chocolate for a Happy, Hoppy Easter!

ISBN 9781474928120 PB Usborne £5.99

PIECING ME TOGETHER BY RENEE WATSON

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Jade is a school girl trying to find her way in the world. A truly empowering story about the importance of learning to stand up for yourself, speaking your truth and learning to get back up when you're knocked down. You feel Jade's passion, her rage, her sadness and her joy as the world throws it's life lessons at her. A message of hope and understanding for anyone who feels like their on the outside looking in.

ISBN 9781408897331 PB Bloomsbury £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS FEB 17-18

This week my children's book reviews include an accessible and entertaining book on politics, a board book on how to count from 1-5 in five languages, an exciting welsh biking adventure and an historical romance with a feminist twist.

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

Enjoy

BOOK OF THE WEEK

USBORNE POLITICS FOR BEGINNERS BY LOUIE STOWELL, ALEX FRITH & ROSIE HORE

CHILDREN 8+

Understanding politics is essential for our younger generation. In a rapidly changing world it is crucial our children (and adults) realise how governments and our votes can impact our lives. The colourful and appealing style of this brilliant book explains and covers key topics such as different types of government and ideologies, human rights and freedom of speech. Politics is everywhere and if we don't understand how it works how can we improve it? A must read.

ISBN 9781474922524 HB Usborne £9.99

HOW TO COUNT 1-5 IN FIVE LANGUAGES BY KENARD PAK

BOARD BOOK 4+

An educative and fun interactive sound book with which you can learn to count from 1-5 in French, Japanese, Mandarin, English and Spanish. Push the button which collates with a matching page and count with each child in their respective language. Pastel illustrations and clear text make this introduction to different languages very entertaining. Also available is How to Say I Love You in Five Languages, which is a cute present to someone you love.

ISBN 9781786030801 HB Wide Eyed £8.99

SCRAMBLED BY HUW DAVIES

CHILDRENS 10+

Fourteen year old, Davidd enjoyed school in the South Wales valleys, until he becomes a victim of bullying by the local gang. Things are not great at home either. Unfairly labelled a troublemaker he discovers motorcycle scrambling and everything changes. Will Davidd win fame and fortune? Or is he heading for a fall? A coming of age tale full of dark Welsh humour with family at its centre and the importance of finding your own path.

ISBN 9781910080368 PB Firefly Press£6.99

UNVEILING VENUS BY SOPHIA BENNETT

YOUNG ADULT 13+

Artist's muse, Persephone Lavelle flees scandal from 19th century London to Venice. When she meets a mysterious stranger, he offers her the world but at what price? This decadent historical romance with a feminist twist is like a jewelled casket of chocolates waiting to be opened. This will sweep you away into masked balls and high society to a Dickensian underworld of decadence.

ISBN 9781847158253 PB Stripes £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEWS FEB 10-11TH

This week my children's book reviews include a celebration of girl power, a picture book about finding love, a wild robot adventure and a romantic comedy for the modern teenager.

Perfect reads for Valentine's Day and something for everyone!

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

Enjoy

BOOK OF THE WEEK

MAKE MORE NOISE! BY NOSY CROW

CHILDREN 8+

An empowering anthology from best-selling children's authors including Emma Carroll and M.G. Leonard which celebrate strong girls and women. There are stories for everyone from historical to adventure. One hundred years ago, this week, women won the right to vote. These stories, some based on real people and some imagined, will hopefully help inspire a new generation of girl power and equality. A must for every school library. Each book donates £1 to Camfed.

ISBN 9781788002394 PB Nosy Crow £7.99

THE POESY RING BY BOB GRAHAM

PICTURE BOOK 4+

Love is always there, it just needs to be found. A whimsical and romantic journey of a poesy ring that was thrown away. The reader travels with it far and wide, through the seasons, over land and sea until it finds a loving home again. The visual narrative through the beautiful pen and wash illustrations add depth and empathy to an endearing story making it a perfect gift for Valentines Day.

ISBN 9781406378276 HB Walker Books £11.99

THE WILD ROBOT BY PETER BROWN

CHILDRENS 9+

Roz the robot is stranded on a wild island and to survive she must befriend the animals who live there. When her owners come to take her home, she must fight to protect all she holds dear. Children will love Roz the robot, her adopted duck, Brightbill and the menagerie of talking animals. Striking illustrations and short, snappy chapters give this action-packed adventure a broad appeal. The Iron Giant meets Jungle Book.

ISBN 9781848127272 PB Piccadilly £6.99

MOVIE NIGHT BY LUCY COURTENAY

YOUNG ADULT 13+

When Hanna sees her boyfriend kissing another girl she turns to her best friend Sol for support. They watch a film together once a month to work out life's hardest questions. Told from Hanna's and Sol's alternating points of view it gives insight into their characters and their struggle with unrequited love. This heart-warming comedy of errors and misunderstandings makes it a perfect read for romantics and movie lovers. Pretty in Pink for the modern teenager.

ISBN 9781444930733 PB Hodder £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW FEB 3-4TH

This week my children's book reviews include an hilarious interactive picture book about a donkey who's lost his underpants, a little boy who loves to dance, a young girl who goes on an mythic adventure and a contemporary drama about a very modern family.

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

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

I SAY OOH, YOU SAY AAH BY JOHN KANE

PICTURE BOOK 4+

“There's something very important that I need you to remember. When I say Ooh, you say Aah. Are you ready?” Ooh, the donkey has lost his underpants and readers must help him find them by responding to interactive clues within the bright illustrations or the bold text. This hyperactive story is enormous fun for the whole family to read aloud and it made me guffaw with laughter. It will totally wind you up! Brilliant.

ISBN 9781783708727 PB Templar Publishing £6.99

HARI AND HIS ELECTRIC FEET BY ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH & SAM USHER

CHILDREN 8+

Hari is an ordinary boy with an extraordinary talent. He loves to dance and learns from Bollywood films. Soon he is using his magical moves to bring harmony to the world. Set against a wonderful Indian backdrop this uplifting story is about how the joys of dance can bring people together through the power of communication and love. Energetic illustrations pepper this uplifting story and will put a smile on your face.

ISBN 9781781127551 PB Barrington Stoke £6.99

THE EYE OF THE NORTH BY SINEAD O'HART

CHILDREN 9+

Emmeline was sure her parents were trying to kill her before they disappeared and she was catapulted into an epic adventure. Readers will love and relate to this gutsy, caustic heroine who is full of wit and wisdom. Together with an urchin called Thing, ice ponies and an evil Northwitch this gripping page-turner has all the essential ingredients to make an entertaining fantasy adventure for boys and girls.

ISBN 9781847159410 PB Stripes Publishing £6.99

FAR FROM THE TREE BY ROBIN BENWAY

YOUNG ADULT 13+

When sixteen-year-old Grace gives up her baby for adoption, she decides to track down her two adopted siblings. Maria is very privileged while Joaquin has been ricocheted from one foster home to another. Chapters alternate between the three very different but endearing siblings as they strive to make senses of themselves and their world. This holds a mirror on the complexity of modern-day family and what ties us together. I was riveted from the start.

ISBN 9781471164330 PB Simon & Schuster £7.99