SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW APRIL 27-28 2019

This week my children's book reviews include a beautiful picture book with an eco message, a fascinating non-fiction book about the ocean, a book to help budding authors and a fantasy romantic adventure for teens. 

Some Great Books for the Easter Holidays. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

ALBA THE HUNDRED YEAR OLD FISH BY LARA HAWTHORNE

PICTURE BOOK 4+

This story is inspired by a 205-year-old rougheye rockfish! Alba the fish lives in a beautiful city of colourful coral but it is losing its colour because of pollution. When a little girl rescues Alba found trapped in a bottle she realises what damage people are doing to the ocean. Stunning illustrations and a pertinent eco-message with a list of sea life for children to spot and conservation advice at the back. Inspiring!

ISBN 9781787412927 HB Big Picture Press £11.99

OCEAN: SECRETS OF THE DEEP BY SABRINA WEISS & GUILIA DE AMICIS
CHILDREN 9+
This fun reference book is overflowing with fascinating facts about the ocean. Where does the salt from seawater come from? How does sealife communicate? What can we do to protect the ocean? It takes you on a miraculous exploration of the underwater world. Children will discover a surprising array of sea life and the different and often unexplored levels of the ocean such as the midnight zone. A great gift especially if living on the coast!

ISBN 9781999968052 HB What On Earth Books £14.99

DEAR ALLY, HOW DO I WRITE A BOOK? BY ALLY CARTER
CHILDREN 11+
Best selling teen author Ally takes you from start to finish in how to write a book. Ally gives insightful advice on building worlds, developing the plot and characters as well tips for editing your book and getting published. Most fascinating are the snippets from Ally and her author friends, including Holly Black and Cassandra Clare, about their experiences and insights into the life of an author. This will inspire budding writers of all ages.

ISBN 978140835487 PB Orchard £6.99

THE BRINK OF DARKNESS BY JEFF GILES
YOUNG ADULT 13+
Seventeen-year-old Zoe will have to risk her life to be reunited with X, a bounty hunter from the underworld. X must first discover his true past and break the Lords hold on him for good. This epic finale will keep you on the edge of your seat. Fast and furious fun, our heroes are propelled from one world to the next without pausing for breath. A seductively romantic fantasy adventure that is perfect for fans of Cassandra Clare.
ISBN 9781408886342 PB Bloomsbury £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW APRIL 20-21 EASTER

This week my children's book reviews include a book filled with kindness, a simply told story of Easter, an art class with a master Impressionist and a dystopian adventure for teens. 

Some Great Books for the Easter Holidays. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

KIND BY ALISON GREEN & VARIOUS

PICTURE BOOK 4+

A gorgeous picture book celebrating kindness with pictures by 38 international illustrators including Quentin Blake; Axel Scheffler, Lydia Monks and Britta Teckentrup. Each picture shows children a different way that they can show kindness to make a better world. It highlights that everyone is valuable and we all have gifts to share. £1 per copy is donated to Three Peas, a charity helping refugees. A beautiful and thoughtful gift that will be treasured for generations.

ISBN 9781407194561 HB Alison Green Books £12.99

 

THE EASTER STORY BY HEATHER AMERY & NORMAN YOUNG
PICTURE BOOK 3+
A charming retelling of the Easter story told in very simple language that is accessible for story time and early readers. The colourful illustrations add to the narrative so that children can easily follow the story along with teachers and family members. The expressive and clearly defined characters will help children understand the emotions of the story. There is also a sticker book available in this series as a companion.

ISBN 9780746071533 PB Usborne £3.99

ART MASTERCLASS WITH CLAUDE MONET BY KATIE COTTON & HANNA KONOLA
CHILDREN 7+
Learn how to paint like the Impressionist master Monet with this fact-filled activity book. Children can follow each of the twelve lessons including drawing, colouring and sticking activities while learning to use all their senses to appreciate art. Learn how to draw water lilies or paint different light depending on the time of day. Brilliant projects for home or in school full of Monet's wonderful art and lots of space for kids to experiment with.

ISBN 9781786037961 PB Wide Eyed Editions £9.99

THE SECRET RUNNERS OF NEW YORK BY MATTHEW REILLY
YOUNG ADULT 14+
When Skye and her twin brother Red move to Manhattan they join a secret elite school gang who have discovered a portal to the future. But they discover a horrifying reality and must figure out how to survive impending annihilation. A fast-paced explosive dystopian adventure that will have teens hooked from the beginning. It's edgy, disturbing and darkly imaginative plot brims with characters to love and hate. Stranger Things meets Gossip Girl.
ISBN 9781471407956 PB Hot Key £7.99