CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW SOUTH WALES EVENING POST SEPT 1-2

This week my children's book reviews include a whirlwind of an adventure, a tale of magic shoes, a beautiful guide to beetles and a dark fantasy adventure for teens.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

STORM WITCH BY ELLEN RENNER

CHILDREN 9+

Thirteen-year-old Storm must undertake The Choosing and be claimed by one of the Elementals, Air, Water, Earth or Fire. But she is bestowed with a great and terrible gift. Will Storm's new powers help save those she loves or will it betray everything she holds dear? A whirlwind adventure which will sweep you into its enchanted world. At its epicentre is a strong heroine in a coming of age quest that will leave you breathless.

ISBN 9780857636409 PB Nosy Crow £6.99

THE GIRL, THE BEAR AND THE MAGIC SHOES BY JULIA DONALDSON & LYDIA MONKS
PICTURE BOOK 4+
Josephine buys some new magic running shoes. But will they save her from the bear who is chasing her? A gorgeous glittery book with a delightfuly unexpected ending that children will love. They will enjoy joining in with the repetitive text and trying to spot the clever details hidden in the imaginative illustrations. Families will relate to the annual back to school shopping expedition for new shoes and hopefully make future trips seem more magical than arduous.
ISBN 9781447275978 HB Macmillan £12.99

THE BEETLE COLLECTOR'S HANDBOOK BY M.G. LEONARD
CHILDREN 8+
This full-colour hardback companion book to the best selling Beetle Boy trilogy, introduces the world of beetles to budding naturalists. This illustrated guide spotlights different types of beetles including flashy lantern bearers, super-strong scuttlers and toxic-acid shooters. There are top tips on preparing for an expedition hilarious observations and fascinating facts by Darkus and his father. From scary to weird to awe-inspiringly gorgeous, this will amaze readers of all ages. A great gift and stocking filler.

ISBN 9781407185668 HB Scholastic £10.99

THE PRICE GUIDE TO THE OCCULT BY LESLYE WALTON
YOUNG ADULT+
Nor Blackburn is a descendant of a famously cursed witch Rona and desperately tries to be invisible and hide her own powers. But when her mother turns to black magic Nor must rise to the challenge to protect those who truly love her. A dark and magical tale laced with romance and chills that will bewitch the reader. Nor's journey from a shy troubled teenager who self-harms to a strong, empowered woman is immense and thought-provoking.
ISBN 9781406382228 PB Walker Books £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW AUG 25-26

This week my children's book reviews include an epic quest reminiscent of Indiana Jones, a little owl's first day at school, a Nigerian teenager surviving a terrorist attack and an origins story about Catwoman. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE CRADLE OF ALL WORLDS BY JEREMY LACHLAN

CHILDREN 9+

Jane Doe must embark on a perilous mission into a labyrinth connecting different worlds to find her troubled father. Jane must navigate the shifting rooms, dodge booby traps and find secret gateways. This epic quest is full of dizzying excitement with nods to family favourites such as Indiana Jones, The Goonies alongside Narnia and His Dark Materials. A perfect read for both boys and girls who have the ambition to be explorers and adventurers.
ISBN 9781405291330 PB Egmont £6.99

LITTLE OWL'S FIRST DAY BY DEBI GLIORI & ALISON BROWN
PICTURE BOOK 4+
It's Little' Owl's first day at school, but he prefers to stay at home with his Mummy. When he arrives he's builds a rocket, learns to fly and even makes a new friend. Maybe school can be more fun than he thought? Partnered with cheerfully cute illustrations, this will help give gentle comfort to a young child's first day at school and also help start a discussion about any worries they might have.
ISBN 9781408892213 PB Bloomsbury £6.99

THE GHOSTS & JAMAL BY BRIDGET BLANKLEY
CHILDREN 13+
Thirteen-year old Jamal is the only survivor of a terrorist attack on his village. He only survived because he had been banished to live on the fringes due to his epilepsy marking him out as 'the bringer of bad spirits'. An intriguing book, touching on religion, terrorism and Nigeria's internal conflicts which follows a young orphan negotiating an unforgiving society. A thought-provoking and memorable coming-of-age story of survival and bravery. Ideal for book clubs and classroom discussion.
ISBN 9781908446633 PB Hope Lane Publishing £8.99

CATWOMAN: SOULSTEALER BY SARAH J. MAAS
YOUNG ADULT 13+
An entertaining coming-of-age story of one of my favourite comic heroines and it certainly has claws. Selina Kyle is back in Gotham and determined to cause trouble as her alter ego Catwoman. The only one who can stop Selina and her friends, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn, is Batwing. This has all the perfect ingredients of high octane adventure, romance and friendship to make this a “purrfect” holiday read. While the Bat's away the Cat will play!!
ISBN 9780141386898 PB Penguin £7.99