SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JAN 26-27

This week my children's book reviews include a young adult modern retelling of Beauty and the Beast, a picture book about the life of a lighthouse, a return to the world of Eragon and a young adult contemporary story about the challenges teens face today. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

A CURSE SO DARK AND LONELY BY BRIGID KEMMERER

YOUNG ADULT 13+

An unforgettable retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Prince Rhen must find a girl to fall in love with him to break his curse. When he kidnaps Harper from the modern world she must learn to survive in his enchanted land while fighting against unwanted feelings towards her captor. Readers will lose themselves in a tangled web of desire and betrayal, friendship and unrequited love. Compulsive and addictive, this is monstrously good.

ISBN 9781408884614 PB Bloomsbury £7.99

HELLO LIGHTHOUSE BY SOPHIE BLACKALL

PICTURE BOOK 4+

A timeless story about hope, change and the passing of time centred around a lighthouse and its lighthouse keeper. Children will be taken on a visual journey inside and out of the lighthouse through storms, daring rescues as well as the growing family inside. The chinese ink and watercolour illustrations are exquisite and perfectly capture this lone beacon of light. It is a loving thank you to those who've dedicated their lives to keeping those as sea safe.

ISBN 9781408357163 HB Orchard £12.99

THE FORK, THE WITCH, AND THE WORM BY CHRISTOPHER PAOLINI

CHILDREN 10+

A wanderer, a cursed child, magic and of course dragons. Welcome to the world of Alagaesia and the return of Eragon from the best selling series. The three original and thrilling stories are based in the world of The Inheritance Cycle. It is a fantastic addition to the beloved series for fans as well as a great introduction for those new to this enthralling and magical world. Perfect for fans of The Hobbit and Dragon Rider.

ISBN 9780241392362 HB Penguin £12.99

KICK THE MOON BY MUHAMMAD KHAN

YOUNG ADULT 14+

Fifteen year old Ilyas finds a kindred spirit in good girl Kelly. But when one of his friends decides to seduce her for a bet who should he support? This riveting read will infuriate, outrage and make you laugh and cry. It covers toxic masculinity, racism and sexual shaming but also highlights the importance of self respect, self protection, friendship and loyalty. A current and insightful read for teens with a reminder that any crisis can be overcome.

ISBN 9781509874071 PB Macmillan £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JAN 19-20 2019

This week my children's book reviews include a beautiful picture book filled with hope, a book to help you escape social media,  a princess who loves fashion and a feminist retelling of classic fairytales.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

WISP: A STORY OF HOPE BY ZANA FRAILLON & GRAHAME BAKER-SMITH

PICTURE BOOK 4+

Idris is a child refugee who's world comprises of a camp of tents and fences. Then the Wisp arrives who reawakens people's memories of a better life. But Idris knows no other life so what will the Wisp bring him? A moving and uplifting story of hope accompanied by beautiful and powerful illustrations. It shows the small light of hope growing throughout the story inspiring those who have forgotten how to dream. Stunning.
ISBN 9781408350119 PB Hachette £6.99

TURN OFF LIVE ON BY VINCENT VINCENT
CHILDREN 9+
This little book is the perfect antidote to help us all have a break from social media while highlighting different creative outlets we can explore. It is overflowing with ideas to switch off and relax including activities, brain exercises and even techniques for meditation and good posture. It is a pertinent reminder to take an interest in yourself and your own wellbeing not just the lives of familiar strangers in a digital world.
ISBN 9871526361820 PB Wren & Rook £6.99

ROYAL REBEL BY CARINA AXELSSON

CHILDREN 10+
When Lily's fashion vlog 'Tiara Girl' starts to take off her life suddenly becomes complicated. Mainly because Lily is a real-life princess and first in line to the throne! Can she keep her passion for fashion a secret? Girls will love the fairytale lifestyle mixed with Lily's desire for independence and following her dream. An accessible and attractive read that is great fun and just a little rebellious! Princess Diaries meets Geek Girl.
ISBN 9781474942409 PB Usborne £6.99

TANGLEWEED AND BRINE BY DEIRDRE SULLIVAN & KAREN VAUGHAN
YOUNG ADULT 15+
A collection of retold fairytales with a feminist slant and sumptuous black and white illustrations reminiscent of Aubrey Beardsley. The helpless maidens in distress are now replaced with independent, strong and cunning heroines striving for independence, survival and power. An inspirational gift mixing old fashioned tales with modern day values. These unsettling, surprising and empowering stories including Cinderella and Rumpelstiltskin would also be a great talking point for a book club. 

ISBN 9781912417117 PB Little Island £8.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW JAN 12-13 2019

This week my first children's book review of the year include a gripping fantasy adventure for middle graders, a picture book full of Vikings who are looking for warm knickers, a wonderful children's almanac and a chilling Nordic thriller for teens.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

LIGHTNING CHASE ME HOME BY AMBER LEE DODD
CHILDREN 9+
Amelia makes a wish on Serpent's Tooth Rock on her eleventh birthday to be reunited with her Mum. But unfortunately, she ignites magic that transports her to different parts of her island home when she is stressed. It doesn't help Amelia is starting a new school and dealing with bullying because of her dyslexia. An exciting magical adventure with a heroine at it's centre that children will immediately warm to. Gripping and thought-provoking.
ISBN 9781407191652 PB Scholastic £6.99

ITCHY, SCRITCHY, SCRATCHY, PANTS BY STEVE SMALLMAN & ELINA ELLIS
PICTURE BOOK 3+
Five Viking's get into a fight, lose their pants and now their bums are turning blue. What will they do? They must go on a quest to find yeti fur to make the warmest knickers ever of course! A riotously funny adventure with rip-roaring illustrations that will have the kids hooting with laughter. What lengths would you go to to have a toasty bum? If your itching to find out this is the book for you!
ISBN 9781848699410 HB Little Tiger £10.99

2019 NATURE MONTH-BY-MONTH: A CHILDREN'S ALMANAC BY ANNA WILSON & ELLY JAHNZ

CHILDREN 7+
This fully illustrated almanac containing fascinating facts throughout the year will encourage children to fully engage with and appreciate the world around them rather than take things for granted. Learn how to spot seasonal flora and fauna or discover special days and festivals in each month. Also included are indoor and outdoor activities and delicious recipes. An inspirational and beautifully illustrated month-by-month guide to the year in association with The National Trust.
ISBN 9781788003391 HB Nosy Crow £9.99

THE TWISTED TREE BY RACHEL BURGE
YOUNG ADULT 14+
Martha can read the emotions and memories of a person just by touching their clothes. Her strange power started after she lost her eye in an accident and to understand what's happening to her she must embark on a dangerous quest. Part ghost story, part romantic mystery and set in contemporary Norway this is full of unexpected twists and turns. Imbued with Norse mythology this creepy coming-of-age tale is perfect for the cold January nights.
ISBN 9781471407765 PB Hot Key £7.99