SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN S BOOK REVIEW APRIL 28-29

This week my children's book reviews include a re-imagining of a Russian folktale, a grumpy crocodile who wants to go home, a boy with an unusual super power and a mystery inspired by Shakespeare's Tempest.

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

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE HOUSE WITH CHICKEN LEGS BY SOPHIE ANDERSON

CHILDREN 9+

An entrancing re-imagining of the Russian fairytale of Baba Yaga. Marinka's house has chicken legs and without warning can move to a new destination. What can Marinka do if she doesn't want to leave her new friend? The only other people she meets are the dead while helping her grandmother to guide them to the other side. Can she change her destiny? A deliciously macabre world with a courageous and rebellious heroine at its centre.

ISBN 9781474940665 PB Usborne £6.99

PICTURE BOOK 3+

WHAT'S NEXT DOOR? BY NICOLA O'BYRNE

PICTURE BOOK 3+

Help cranky crocodile; Carter find his way home in this award-winning interactive picture book. These brilliantly designed pages encourage children to take part in the story from rubbing Carter's tummy or shaking the book to remove snow. Kids will also love helping create doors in the pages and use their imagination to guide the crocodile through new landscapes. Will he ever escape? Bright and engaging illustrations and witty text makes it perfect for sharing.

ISBN 9780857638335 PB Nosy Crow £6.99

MIDDLE GRADE 8-12  YEARS

IGUANA BOY SAVES THE WORLD WITH A TRIPLE CHEESE PIZZA BY JAMES BISHOP

CHILDREN 8+

Dylan is desperate for a superpower but when he eventually get's one he is disappointed. All he can do is talk to Iguanas! When all the other superheroes are kidnapped can he save the world from the supervillain, The Platypus Kid with his chatty iguanas? He might need a pizza as well. An anarchic, hilarious adventure with comical illustrations by Rikin Parekh. Perfect for fans of Tom Gates and Kid Normal.

ISBN 9781444939347 PB Hodder £6.99

YOUNG ADULT 12+

STORM-WAKE BY LUCY CHRISTOPHER

YOUNG ADULT 14+

Moss lives on a mysterious island with only her father and magical flowers for company. When two strange boys wash up onshore Moss must open her eyes to the truth about her isolated world. Inspired by Shakespeare's The Tempest this magical adventure will cast it's spell over you as you wonder what is real and what is not. The lyrical text give it a mythical dreamy feel, perfect to lose yourself in.

ISBN 9781906427733 PB Chicken House £7.99

Blog Tour for The House of Chicken Legs April 24th

BLOG TOUR KLAXON! I am super excited to be one of the Book Bloggers on the Blog Tour for #THEHOUSEWITHCHICKENLEGS

by Sophie Anderson

TUE APRIL 24TH

A brilliant fantasy adventure for middle grade readers that is inspired by Russian Folktales

Full review and interview posted tomorrow at 9Am

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW APRIL 21-22 2018

This week my children's book reviews include the adventures of a naughty rabbit, an introduction to the stars, a football quiz book and a heart-breaking contemporary debut with a powerful message for teenagers.

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

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

GRAB THAT RABBIT! BY POLLY FABER & BRIONY MAY SMITH

PICTURE BOOK 4+

This charming tale of kindness and forgiveness is full of excitement and daring that is reminiscent of the adventures of Peter Rabbit. Hodge is an adorable bunny who can't help eating all the carrots in Mrs Sprat's garden. Mrs Sprat is determined to have her revenge and stop him at all costs! Will Hodge live to tell the tale? The richly detailed illustrations compliment the story that is perfect for reading aloud and sharing.

ISBN 9781843653783 PB Pavilion £6.99

STARRY SKIES BY SAMANTHA CHAGOLLAN & NILA AYE

PICTURE BOOK 4+

This brilliant introduction to space and astronomy will capture youngsters imagination. The two-colour scheme of black and yellow bring the star constellations to life. Each spread features one of the fourteen constellations such as Pegasus; Hercules and Leo presented on a shiny surface. This clever tactile design will engage young readers and encourage them to look and wonder at the night sky. The perfect starting point for discussion of space and the stars.

ISBN 9781633225091 HB Walter Foster Jr £10.99

FOOTBALL SCHOOL: THE AMAZING QUIZ BOOK BY ALEX BELLOS & BEN LYTTLETON

CHILDREN 7+

Just in time for The FIFA World Cup, this is the ultimate test for football fans of all ages. Packed with over 300 brain-busting funny and fascinating questions, tantalising trivia and hilarious cartoons by Spike Gerrell this is perfect to improve knowledge and test friends on the beautiful game. With chapters such as 'Great Goals', 'Ouchy Injuries', 'Canny Coaches' and 'Jeepers Keepers' kids can learn all about international football while keeping them occupied for hours.

ISBN 9781406379587 PB Walker Books £6.99

I STOP SOMEWHERE BY T.E.CARTER

YOUNG ADULT 14 +

Ellie loves Caleb, but she is not sure she likes him. One night she finds out what a monster he is. A compelling and thought-provoking account of rape, the brutal aftermath and the culture of female objectivity. This is a raw lesson in the importance of learning to value yourself and having the self-confidence to speak out when things go wrong. This searing account is at times horrifying but also profoundly moving, tender and haunting.

ISBN 97811471167782 PB Simon & Schuster £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW APRIL 14-15TH

This week my children's book reviews include a fascinating look into the world of bugs, the adventures of a stray cat, a young detective and a secret society of butlers and a gripping sequel to young adult fantasy, Ink.

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

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

BUG HOTEL BY LIBBY WALDEN & CLOVER ROBIN

BOARD BOOK 3+

This fascinating lift the flap book of discovery shows youngsters what it's like inside the perfect habitat for insects to live. The glorious illustrations combined with bite-sized facts bring the bug world to life. Did you know beetles are one of the earth's oldest creatures? Build your own bug hotel or check out the one in Singleton Park amongst others. Also in the series is the Bird House and both make excellent entertaining and educational gifts for nature lovers.

ISBN 9781848576575 Little Tiger HB £8.99

THE STORY OF TANTRUM O'FURRILY BY CRESSIDA COWELL & MARK NICHOLAS

PICTURE BOOK 3+

A stray cat called Tantrum tells her hungry three kittens a story about a pampered cat. The lessons the kittens and little readers will learn is don't be fooled by appearances and to show kindness and courage when needed. The simple tale is beautifully illustrated mainly in textured monotone with splashes of colour. Children will be whisked along through the stormy night to a satisfying ending perfect for bedtime.

ISBN 9781444933802 HB Hodder £12.99

HOUNDS AND HAUNTINGS BY JANINE BEACHAM

CHILDREN 9+

Rose Raventhorpe and the city's secret society of butlers are on the case again. An historical fantasy adventure will have young reader's pulses racing. Can young detective Rose find a murderer and the mystery behind the ancient ghost-hound? The evocative Victorian setting, quirky cast and spunky heroine will enthral and intrigue as young readers pick up clues along the way. For fans of Sherlock, Robin Stevens and Katherine Woodfine.

ISBN 978510201323 PB Little Brown Books £6.99

SPARK BY ALICE BROADWAY

YOUNG ADULT 12+

In a world where the events in your life are tattooed onto your skin, Leora is questioning the purpose of the society she lives in. When she is forced to spy on the Blanks, outsiders with no marks she finds answers to her past and future. This complex tribal fantasy cleverly will draw you into its web of truths and half-truths. Who is friend or foe? Where does Leora truly belong? A gripping sequel to the bestseller Ink.

ISBN 9781407172859 PB Scholastic £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW APRIL 7-8 TH

This week my children's book reviews include a contagiously funny adventure, a birthday cake in trouble, a weird family causing chaos and a young girl trying to save her farm in a wartime drama.

Some great books for the Easter holidays!

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

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

ALICE DENT AND THE INCREDIBLE GERMS BY GWEN LOWE

CHILDREN'S 7+

Alice catches a cold but it's not the usual snotty virus, this has seriously weird side-effects. Alice can't stop giggling and is attracting an array of animals! When Best Minister for Everything Nicely Perfect tries to take her away, she realises her troubles have just begun. Packed with dastardly villains and wickedly sharp humour this is perfect for fans of Roald Dahl and David Walliams. Warning! This book is contagious, and the reader won't stop laughing!

ISBN 9781910002919 PB Chicken House £6.99

CAKE BY SUE HENDRA & PAUL LINNET

PICTURE BOOK 4+

Cake has been invited to a party and needs to look his best. A party always needs a cake after all! An hilarious and colourful story of Cake 's adventures and his mishaps. Children will love Cake's naivety as he unknowingly goes into danger. The bold candy coloured illustrations and simple mischievous text is the perfect compliment to the tension slowly building to a very sweet climax. A delicious treat that would make an ideal birthday gift.

ISBN 9781509827435 PB Macmillan £6.99

JUST PLAIN WEIRD BY KAYE UMANSKY

CHILDREN 7+

The Primms are an ultra-conservative family so when the Weirds move in next door, with their exploding experiments and daring stunts, life is never the same again. Divided into three stories with a wonderful wacky cast of characters this will appeal to early and reluctant readers. Delightfully illustrated by Chris Mould, this is full of zany laughter and fun, and the puzzles in the back are a nice finishing touch.

ISBN 9781781127919 PB Barrington Stoke £6.99

THE GOOSE ROAD BY ROWENA HOUSE

YOUNG ADULT 12+

In 1916, France, Angelique must try and save their farm until her brother's return from war. She sets off across the country to sell her treasured flock of Toulouse geese so they can cover their debts. A beautiful historical quest bursting with resilience and hope. This richly evocative tale deftly describes the consequences of the First World War and how it brings out the best and worse of people. For older fans of Emma Carroll and Michael Morpurgo.

ISBN 9781406371673 PB Walker Books £7.99