SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW SEPT 29-30

This week my children's book reviews include a welcome return to a magical emporium, an imaginative bedtime story, an adventure full of chocolate and dragons and a contemporary spin Lord of the Flies

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE ELSEWHERE EMPORIUM BY ROSS MACKENZIE
CHILDREN 9+
The enchanted Nowhere Emporium has been stolen. Daniel, it's new young owner and his friend, Ellie must search magical bookshops, hunt for a witch and battle evil forces so he can save it. Children will be spellbound as they plummet back into this extraordinarily imaginative and wondrous sequel. A dazzling adventure, a colourful cast of characters including magician detectives (both dead and alive) and a terrifying curse. For fans of Narnia, Harry Potter and The Faraway Tree.
ISBN 9781782505198 PB Kelpies £6.99

TIME FOR BED, MIYUKI BY ROXANE MARIE GALLIEZ & SENG SOUN RATANAVANH
PICTURE BOOK 5+
Miyuki's has too many things to do before bedtime but with gentle encouragement from her grandfather and a bedtime story will she finally go to sleep? The evocative and fanciful illustrations lead you into Miyuki's dream-like world reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland. Children will be enchanted by looking at the abundance of nature, animals, fish and birds. The poetical text centres around the bond between child and grandparent. A beautiful gift to treasure.
ISBN 9781616897055 HB Princeton Architectural Press £12.99

THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON HEART BY STEPHANIE BURGIS
CHILDREN 9+
Silke lives in a city famous for chocolate and protected by dragons. To defend it she must use her gift for story-telling while spying on a dangerous fairy royal family. But will she risk exposing her own secrets? This magical adventure is full of intrigue, led by a tough heroine while exploring the different dynamics between family and friends. An utterly delicious sequel that is perfect for fans of Cressida Cowell and Cornelia Funke.
ISBN 9781408880777 PB Bloomsbury £6.99

THE ISLAND BY M.A.BENNET
YOUNG ADULT 12+
When new boy Link is stranded on an island with six classmates whom he loathes he must fight to survive. The social pecking order of their elite school is no longer relevant so who will lead and who will follow? A fascinating psychological thriller about how different people deal with crises, power struggles and revenge. This contemporary spin on Lord of the Flies has lots of interesting discussion points for a book club.
ISBN 9781471407536 PB Hot Key £7.99