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