SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW April 25-26 2020

This is my last column for the South Wales Evening Post but don't worry I will continue to post my childrens book reviews every week and highlight books on this book blog and across social media.

 Lots of exciting changes coming up so keep posted as I am re organising this blog so more easily navigated!

This week my children's book reviews in the South Wales Evening Post include a treasure hunt in the wilds of Wales for middle grade readers, a picture book about a free spirited dog in Rome, an activity book for autistic children and an epic Faerie fantasy for teens. Enjoy!

This is my last column

BOOK OF THE WEEK

WHERE THE WILDERNESS LIVES BY JESS BUTTERWORTH

CHILDREN 8+

Cara and her siblings must flee to the wilds of Wales when they discover a locked safe. Is a treasure inside? Who is chasing them? An inspiring quest interspersed with an enchanting fable, survival and nature facts plus one large dog. Children will relish their battle for survival as they try to reach their fathers home. An exhilarating and inspiring adventure full of empathy. Short chapters plus diary extracts make it perfect for reluctant readers and storytime. Thrilling.

Orion Books PB £6.99

I CAN DO IT! BY PATRICIA HEGARTY & HILLI KUSHNIR

PICTURE BOOK 3+

Young children will have great fun tying shoelaces, fastening buttons and more by using the step by step instructions and interactive elements. On each page children can learn and practice with different types of fastenings shown with sweet diverse characters. Perfect for little hands to practice dexterity. It makes teaching how to use fastenings less frustrating and more playful and thereby hopefully easier to learn and remember. Ingenious.

Little Tiger HB £9.99

AUTISM AND ME BY HAIA IRONSIDE & ELLIE O'SHEA

CHILDREN 7+

Written for children with autism this book will help them express their emotions through creative activities. It is packed with colouring, games to play and lots of ideas to think and talk about. It is written, designed and illustrated to be accessible by presenting uncluttered, clean and friendly layouts full of charming illustrations. It will keep the young entertained and focused. There is a list of helpful resources at the back. Inspirational.

Studio Press PB £9.99

THE QUEEN OF NOTHING BY HOLLY BLACK

YOUNG ADULT 12+

The compelling and seductive finale to the Folk of the Air series. Jude is the exiled Queen of Faerie in love with the wicked Prince Cardan. When her twin sister asks for help Jude agrees despite having to see Cardan again. Can she break a curse and save Faerie from ruin? An epic escapist fantasy which will thrill from start to finish. An enticing plot with beguiling characters you will remember. PB out July.

Hot Key HB £12.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW April 18-19 2020

This week my children's book reviews in the South Wales Evening Post include an epic young adult historical fantasy set in the French Revolution, a picture book adventure about a little dog set in Rome, a hilarious coming-of-age welsh adventure as well as an enchanting Victorian quest for middle grade readers. Enjoy.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

DANGEROUS REMEDY BY KAT DUNN

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Camille a daughter of the French Revolution leads a band of outcasts to rescue a girl with strange powers. The friends uncover devious plots and treachery in the action-packed historical adventure. Will they pick love, loyalty or their country? Sizzling with tension this dazzling story with fantastical twists blends science with magic and power with romance to reach an explosive finale. Frankenstein meets The Musketeers. C'est Magnifique!

Head of Zeus HB £12.99

PAOLO EMPEROR OF ROME BY MAC BARNETT & CLAIRE KEANE

PICTURE BOOK 4+

Paolo the dachshund is trapped in a hair salon. One day he escapes and drinks in the wonderful sights of Rome. He visits the theatre, the coliseum, fights fearsome cats and rescues a nun. Even when Paolo is rewarded with a plush apartment all he desires is freedom. This inspiring tale of a big-hearted dog captures the importance of freedoms we usually take for granted. The beautiful and bold illustrations encapsulate La Dolce Vita in Rome.

HB Abrams Books for Young Readers, £12.99

THE SUPER MIRACULOUS JOURNEY OF FREDDIE YATES BY JENNY PEARSON & ROB BUDDULPH

CHILDREN 8+

Freddie loves facts. They don't let you down. Freddie is on a quest to find his father in Wales with two friends but he sets off a chain of events which forces them on the run. They enter an onion eating competition and meet a sheep called Sheila. A heart-warming and hilarious adventure of three boys, one summer holiday and a few miracles thrown in. For fans of David Walliams and Frank Cottrell Boyce.

PB Usborne £6.99

THE VANISHING TRICK BY JENNI SPANGLER

CHILDREN 9+

Leander is an orphan so when the mysterious Madame Pinchbeck promises him a job and home in return for his mother's locket he agrees. But it's a trap. Leander is imprisoned in an enchanted prison with two other stolen children, Charlotte and Felix. It's a race against time to escape. A magical Victorian adventure full of peril, friendship and hope. Children will be hooked by their daring quest against a spectacularly menacing villain.

PB Simon & Schuster £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW April 11-12 2020

This week my children's book reviews include for Easter a spookily good middle grade adventure about a young witch, a picture book full of rabbits about appreciating family, a charming seaside adventure for young readers and a timeless romantic coming-of-age drama.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

WILDE BY ELOISE WILLIAMS

CHILDREN 9+

Wilde is forced to live with her aunt in Witch Point and start a new school. She is desperate to fit in but strange things keep happening. Why do birds follow her? How is the legend of the witch called Winter connected to her family? Who is threatening the pupils with curses? Children will love the rebellious Wilde and her quest to find her place in the world. A spookily good adventure that will hold children spellbound. Bewitching.

Firefly PB £6.99

RABBIT! RABBIT! RABBIT! BY LORNA SCOBIE

PICTURE BOOK 3+

Rabbit loves being the only child in the family. But Rabbit's parents have a BIG surpise. Home is going to become a lot more crowded! Maybe their neighbourly fox can help? An hilarious tale about learning to appreciate your family even at it's most chaotic. It's bouncing with energetic and colourful illustrations that children will delight in. Perfect for a time when we need to appreciate each other even if living in close quarters! Adorable for Easter.

Scholastic PB £6.99

A SEA OF STORIES BY SYLVIA BISHOP & PADDY DONNELLY

CHILDREN 5+

Roo loves visiting Grandpa in his cottage next to the sea. But the beach has become too difficult for him to visit any more. Instead, he tells Roo stories of finding treasure and exciting sea rescues. Can Roo help her Grandpa visit his favourite cove again? A gloriously illustrated hardback book for early readers and bedtime. It demonstrates the importance of close relationships between family and how storytelling can be an inspiration. A little gem.

Stripes HB £7.99

HELLO NOW By JENNY VALENTINE

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Jude moves to the seaside with her mum is dumped by another boyfriend. Novo appears like a comet out of nowhere and changes everything for Jude. Love and destiny bound up in time. But will it pull them apart or keep them together? An epic romance that reads like a modern-day fable. The poetic love story shows the importance of living in the moment. Lose yourself in its embrace. Entrancing.

Harper Collins PB £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW April 4-5 2020

This week my children's book reviews include a magical venetian middle grade adventure, two fascinating non fiction books for budding eco warriors and and an inspiring historical coming-of-age drama.

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE MASK OF ARIBELLA BY ANNA HOGHTON

CHILDREN 9+

Aribella lives in Renaissance Venice, the daughter of a lace-maker. When Aribella discovers that her anger makes flames shoot from her fingertips she runs away. Saved by the Cannovacci, magical masked warriors they enlist Aribella's help to defend Venice against a growing evil. This stunning, atmospheric debut with a strong, rebellious heroine at its heart will enchant and enthral children looking for escapism. Perfect for fans of Harry Potter and The Thief Lord.

PB Chicken House £6.99

CLIMATE REBELS BY BEN LERWILL

CHILDREN 7+

An inspiring collection of 25 true life stories of people who are helping the planet. From Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough to lesser-known heroes such as the founders of Greenpeace and poacher patrollers The Black Mambas, they all prove one person can make a difference. This is a powerful and hopeful reminder that we can all help the planet. Each personable and anecdotal chapter is accompanied by luscious illustrations which will ignite children's curiousity.

Puffin HB £12.99

PLANET SOS BY MARIE G. ROHDE

CHILDREN 8+

Our planet is sending out an SOS. From the Ozone Serpent to Trash Kong, these real-life environmental monsters are threatening our world. Now you can challenge them! A clever and humorous handbook that shows young eco-warriors how they can help the earth. Each 'monster' has it's own card so children can learn about what they 'feed' on and how to vanquish them. An ingenious idea which will provide hours of informative fun.

What On Earth Books HB £14.99

THE AUSTEN GIRLS BY LUCY WORSLEY

CHILDREN 12+

Anna and Fanny are cousins who must find suitors amongst the competition in the ball season. Can their unmarried Aunt, Jane Austen help them retain their sense and sensibility? Or will the girls pride and prejudices scupper their ambitions? Can they become heroines of their own story? This witty historical coming-of-age drama is a fascinating and entertaining insight into the role of women in the Georgian era. For fans of Eva Ibbotson's historical novels.

Bloomsbury PB £7.99