SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW JULY 20-21ST

This week my children's book reviews include a range of out of this world books celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing and also a feminist fantasy adventure perfect for teens for the holidays. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

BALLOON TO THE MOON BY GILL ARBUTHNOTT & CHRIS NIELSEN

CHILDREN 8+

In 1969 humans walked on the moon for the first time, but how did we get there? This superb book will supply you with all the answers. Each chapter describes a key stage of flight from the first aircraft to rocket science. Learn about the space race and what space technology is used today. The vintage-style illustrations reflect the 1960's and give atmosphere to the stories. A gift that is out of this world.

Big Picture Press HB £16.99

ODD SCIENCE: SPECTACULAR SPACE BY JAMES OLSTEIN

CHILDREN 5+

An entertaining and fact-filled hardback book filled with eye-catching retro illustrations. It is brimming with weird and wacky facts that will intrigue and engage children. Did you know Earth is not a perfect sphere? Or that Uranus is the coldest planet? It is also impossible to cry in space! A great book to celebrate the moon landing and share with family or in the classroom. Part of the Summer Reading Challenge 2019.

Pavilion HB £9.99

TRAILBLAZERS: NEIL ARMSTRONG BY ALEX WOOLF

CHILDREN 8+

Marking the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing discover the story of the man who took 'one giant leap for mankind.” Find out why Armstrong wanted to become an astronaut. How did he train? Discover the dangers of space travel. The illustrations on every page really bring his fascinating story to life. A must for young budding astronauts and reluctant readers. Look out for more inspiring biographies in the series including Einstein and Beyonce!

Stripes PB £6.99

QUEEN OF RUIN BY TRACY BANGHART

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Sisters Nomi and Serina must find freedom from their oppressors and join forces with a betrayed Prince to fight for a better world. Sisterhood and family underpin the explosive finale to Grace and Fury. I was intrigued to see the emotional journey of the divided sisters and the trials they are forced to endure. A strong feminist streak runs through this epic adventure as it's the girls which call the shots. For fans of Hunger Games and Melinda Salisbury.

Hodder PB £ 7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW MAY 18-19 2019

This week my children's book reviews include a little robot on a quest of a lifetime, a fun and fact filled adventure about bumble bees, a duck with super powers and a powerful retelling of Cinderella's ugly sisters. 

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK 

BOOT BY SHANE HEGARTY

CHILDREN 7+

Toy robot, Boot has been accidentally thrown away and must find his owner, Beth in a city full of danger. Can Boot find his way home armed with only two and half memories and a band of rusty robot has-beens? Children will love the gadgets galore, excitement and friendships as well as Ben Mantle's evocative illustrations throughout. A heart-warming quest bursting with adventure, empathy and humour. WALL-E meets Toy Story.
ISBN 9781444949360 PB Hachette £6.99

LOOK OUT FOR MY BLOG TOUR POST THIS MONDAY FOR BOOT. A FASCINATING INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHOR AND WHAT INSPIRED HIM!

WHEN THE BEES BUZZED OFF! BY LULA BELL & STEPHEN BENNETT

PICTURE BOOK 4+
Three brave bugs and one grumpy snail must find out where all the bees have gone. Children will love helping look for the missing bees by lifting flaps and following their trail. Fascinating bee facts are sweetened with hilarious asides in this adventure story which will encourage little ones to explore and appreciate the natural world. An important message that is also thoroughly entertaining and that can be shared with family or in the classroom.
ISBN 9781848694408 PB Little Tiger £7.99

ADVENTURE DUCK VS POWER PUG BY STEVE COLE

CHILDREN 6+
Adventure Duck only wants to nest on his duck pond eating soggy bread. But when a meteor gives him superpowers he must use them to battle super villain Power Pug before he takes over the world with his hypnotic stare! The hilarious illustrations by Aleksei Bitskoff add to the witty adventure and are perfect for newly independent readers. A brilliant bonkers new series that will Quack you up! Perfect for fans of the Astrosaurs series and Dave Pigeon.
ISBN 9781408356838 PB Orchard £5.99

STEPSISTER BY JENNIFER DONNELLY

YOUNG ADULT 12+
When Cinderella is whisked away by her prince what happens to her stepsisters? The youngest, Isabelle is not pretty but she is brave and strong-willed. Can she find redemption and cheat fate in a man's world where being pretty is the only currency they understand? A feminist retelling of the classic fairytale from a fascinating perspective of the ugly sister. Can people truly change for the better? An empowering and riveting tale for independent girls everywhere!

ISBN 9781471407970 PB Hot Key £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW MARCH 16-17

This week my children's book reviews include a riveting fact packed adventure book, a picture book about a rather large cat, a middle grade adventure about a dangerous grandma and a teen fantasy adventure with a Machiavellian twist.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE LOST BOOK OF ADVENTURE EDITED BY TEDDY KEEN
CHILDREN 9+
When explorer Teddy discovers the illustrated diaries and observations of an unknown adventurer he compiles it into a illustrated treasure trove of survival tips and adventure stories. This first-hand glimpse takes you on a voyage of discovery from the Northern Lights to the Sri Lanka jungle to the Sahara desert. A gripping and fact-packed adventure book that is perfect to share with the family. A cool mix of Indiana Jones, Bear Grylls and David Attenborough!

ISBN 9781786032966 HB Frances Lincoln £20

BIG CAT BY EMMA LAZELL
PICTURE BOOK 4+
Isobel finds a very big cat in the garden while searching for her grandma's glasses. Will the other cats be happy to share their home with this enormous feline? Children will love 'pawing' over the vivid illustrations which gleefully capture the ensuing fun and chaos. A roaringly funny tale to share with Grandma on Mothering Sunday about family and making new friends. Purrrfect for fans of The Tiger Who Came to Tea.

ISBN 9781843654018 PB Pavilion £6.99

GRANDMA DANGEROUS AND THE EGG OF GLORY BY KITA MITCHELL
CHILDREN 9+
Ollie's Grandma is a fearless explorer. Wherever she goes chaos and adventure pursue her! In this second adventure Grandma Dangerous is intent of finding a stolen, priceless Faberge egg with Ollie. Nothing will stop her, not poisoned caviar, a prison break or even some contemporary dancing! Children will love this rebellious granny and Nathan Reed's line illustrations only add to the fast-paced fun. Warning: Don't give this to your Grandma. She might get ideas!

ISBN 9781408355503 PB Orchard £6.99

SONG OF SORROW BY MELINDA SALISBURY
YOUNG ADULT 13+
A thrillingly dark conclusion to the Machiavellian fantasy series State of Sorrow. Sorrow Ventaxia must find a way to free herself from the sinister control of Vespus and free her people. Immerse yourself in a richly woven world of intrigue, romance and treachery. At the centre of a web of lies and seduction readers will love Sorrow, who combines strength and vulnerability into a multi-faceted relatable heroine. For fans of Leigh Bardugo.
ISBN 9781407180281 PB Scholastic £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW FEB 2-3 2019

This week my children's book reviews include an exciting middle grade adventure about three cursed sisters, a picture book teaching how to tell the time, a beautiful retelling of the Disney's Little Mermaid and an hilarious middle grade story about a young boy who keeps turning into animals at times of stress!

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

A PINCH OF MAGIC BY MICHELLE HARRISON

CHILDREN 9+

Three cursed sisters. Three magical objects including a bag, a mirror and a set of dolls, which potentially have the power to change their fate. One mysterious prisoner who can help but at what price? Readers will be swept up in this gripping adventure as Beth, Fliss and Charlie embark on a quest to put a wrong to right. Brimming with excitement, fast paced action and strong heroines this is perfect for fantasy lovers.
ISBN 9781471124303 PB Simon & Schuster £6.99

NO TIME FOR CLOCKS BY MAX LOW

PICTURE BOOK 4+
Ceri the cat and Deri the dog are two best friends who want to learn how to tell the time so they will not be late for lunch. Their friend Gwen explains what a clock is and how it can help them. This educational story with it's big bold pictures is perfect for teaching children to tell the time. The series includes Good To Be Sweet about learning division and both would be useful for the classroom.
ISBN 9781912213740 PB Graffeg £7.99


THE LITTLE MERMAID BY DISNEY
CHILDREN 6+
Celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of Disney's Little Mermaid with this charming retelling in a gorgeous cloth bound, gold foiled hardback. I loved seeing some of the initial sketches, paintings and concept art for the film plus the biographies of the unsung artists who worked on the animation in the back of the book. This would make a lovely gift for Disney fans, young children as well as for Valentines with it's Happily Ever After message. A real treat.
ISBN 9781787414686 HB Studio Press £12.99


CHARLIE CHANGES INTO A CHICKEN BY SAM COPELAND
CHILDREN 8+
Not only is Charlie's brother in hospital but he's being bullied at school. Unfortunately stress makes Charlie change into an animal such as a spider, a pigeon or even a rhino! Can Charlie learn to control his new powers with the help of his friends? This slapstick comedy which is complimented by the cartoonish illustrations of Sarah Horne, is quick-witted and fast paced. It will have children chuckling from start to finish.
ISBN 9780241346211 PB Puffin £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW DEC 15-16 2018

This week my Christmas children's book reviews include an enchanting adventure through a snowglobe, a Christmas hedgehog, a treasure hunt in an amazing house and a return to the magical land of Nevermoor.

Perfect presents for Christmas  Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post. Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

SNOWGLOBE BY AMY WILSON
CHILDREN 9+
A missing mother, a pinch of magic and an invisible house filled with snowglobes are all the ingredients for a thrilling fantasy adventure. Clementine must learn to use her magic to try and free a boy trapped in a snowglobe. Children will love the different worlds and characters in each magical globe and relate to the friendship and family at the heart of the story. An enchanting winter tale of snow and ice.
ISBN 9781509885800 PB Macmillan £6.99

ONE COSY CHRISTMAS BY M CHRISTINA BUTLER & TINA MACNAUGHTON
PICTURE BOOK 3+
Little Hedgehog and his friends are preparing for the perfect Christmas. But who is eating their biscuits and snoring all night? This heartwarming adventure is perfect to share in the build-up to Christmas. It encapsulates all the excitement of family and friends enjoying the festive season and even includes a few familiar disagreements! This adorable touch-and-feel book including Hedgehog's red velvety hat is a delight and full of Christmas cheer.
ISBN 9781848696693 PB Little Tiger £7.99

TREASURE HUNT HOUSE BY KATE DAVIES & BECCA STADTLANDER
CHILDREN 7+
Two children embark on a treasure hunt in their great-aunt's incredible house. Children will love exploring each room and lifting flaps to reveal trivia pertinent to objects in that particular room. Find out about musical instruments, discover a velociraptor skeleton or Shakespeare plays. Also, children are asked to solve a riddle on each page to add to the intrigue. This sumptuous book is ideal for those who love history, trivia and dolls houses. A gem of a gift.
ISBN 9781847809575 HB Lincoln Children's Books £14.99

WUNDERSMITH BY JESSICA TOWNSEND
CHILDREN 9+
The much-anticipated return to Nevermoor will not disappoint in this sequel. Morrigan Crow is a much feared Wundersmith and must try to suppress her mysterious ability. But will Morrigan's magic help her escape her cursed life? A brilliantly imagined world, thrilling adventure and colourful characters make this a must-have series this Christmas. Children will love the friendship at it's centre and relate to Morrigan's struggle to fit in while remaining true to herself. Perfect for Harry Potter fans.
ISBN 9781510103825 HB Orion £12.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JULY 21-22ND

This week my children's book reviews include a fascinating guide to the seashore, a young boy on a journey of discovery, a book of new slime recipes and an exhilarating boys own adventure.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

SEASHORE WATCHER BY MAYA PLASS
CHILDREN 7+
This activity and guidebook is a brilliant introduction to the seashore. It is packed full of inspiring and fun ideas for children to learn about life at the edge of the waves. Activities include how to make sand or shell art, learn how to spot tracks and identify marks and discover secret hideaways. This illustrated guide is thoughtfully packed into a waterproof covering to stop it from becoming wet. Perfect for family and school outings.
ISBN 9781784938703 PB QED Publishing £9.99



JULIAN IS A MERMAID BY JESSICA LOVE
PICTURE BOOK 3+
Julian dreams of becoming a mermaid. To look like one, he tries on makeup, styles his hair and even fashions a mermaid tail for himself. However, what will his Nan say? A celebration of self-confidence, diversity from gender stereotypes to family dynamics and different body types. This inspiring book celebrates the variety of life with exuberant carnival inspired illustrations that explode with colour and energy onto the page.
ISBN 9781406380637 HB Walker £11.99

NEXT-LEVEL DIY SLIME WITH KARINA GARCIA
CHILDREN 7+
Celebrate a summer of slime as this craze continues to grow. Follow YouTube sensation, Karina, as she prepares fifteen new recipes with easy to follow step-by-step instructions. Children will love getting their hands dirty creating new mesmerising scents, textures and shine. They can pick from Teddy Bear Cloud Slime, Holographic or Super Gloss, amongst others using harmless, household ingredients. Parents will be glad to know there are tips on removing slime from clothing as well!
ISBN 978178743733 PB Studio Press £7.99

WHERE THE WORLD ENDS BY GERALDINE MCCAUGHREAN
CHILDREN 9+
Every summer Quill and his friends are put on a remote sea stack to hunt birds. But when no one arrives to take them home how will they survive? An extraordinary and unpredictable adventure that will pull at your emotions makes you laugh and have you on the edge of your seat all at the same time. This well-deserved winner of the 2018 CILIP Carnegie Medal is a must read for the holidays.
ISBN 9781474943437 PB Usborne £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW JUNE 30-JULY 1ST

This week my children's book reviews include a Gastby inspired romance, a water vole who prefers sewing to swimming, the inspiring story of Kane, the footballer and a coming of age tale about a young actress dealing with life in the limelight.

Also in the Weekend section of The South Wales Evening Post

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

A SKY PAINTED GOLD BY LAURA WOOD

YOUNG ADULT 12+
Seventeen-year-old Lou dreams of being a writer. When an impossibly glamorous brother and sister arrive at the local manor house for the summer, in her sleepy Cornish village, she is swept up into a world of glamour and intrigue. A simply divine coming of age romance set in a 1920's Gatsby-esque world. An captivating holiday read to fall in love with and perfect for fans of Eva Ibbotson and I Capture the Castle.
ISBN 978140718205 PB Scholastic £7.99


BERTRAM LIKES TO SEW BY KARIN CELESTINE
CHILDREN 5+
Bertram, the youngest of his water vole family, doesn't like swimming but he does love to sew and repair. An enchanting story about being true to yourself and following your passions. This magical little book shows how to make your own teddy bear and is also sprinkled with environmental notes. However, it is the photos of the exquisitely handmade Bertram on his journey that brings him to life and children will fall in love with him.
ISBN 9781912213610 HB Graffeg £6.99


ULTIMATE FOOTBALL HEROES: KANE BY MATT & TOM OLDFIELD
CHILDREN 7+
Celebrate the World Cup legends, past and present. Each book focuses on a famous footballer such as the superstar striker Harry Kane and his journey from the playground to the pitch. Learn about how his hard work and self-belief paid off as he achieved his goals. New titles include Neuer, Pogba, Maradona and Beckham and are perfect for both avid and reluctant readers who are enjoying the FIFA World Cup.
ISBN 9781786069276 PB Bonnier £5.99


IT'S A WRAP BY PERDITA & HONOR CARGILL
CHILDREN 11+
Dreams are finally coming true for young actress Elektra in the final book of the series. She's bagged a huge role in a blockbuster film and is now on the promotional tour. But with her GCSE's looming and her on-off boyfriend situation, is fame all it's cracked up to be? This tale combines the trials and tribulations of growing up with slapstick and laugh-out-loud humour. It also gives great insight into the life of a young actress.
ISBN 978147166150 PB Simon & Schuster £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW MARCH 17-18

This week my children's book reviews include a floral celebration of the seasons perfect for Easter, a modern introduction to opposites for the very young, a cat detective solving a theatrical mystery and an action packed World War Two spy thriller.  

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

Enjoy!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

A YEAR IN THE WILD BY HELEN AHPORNSIRI

CHILDREN 5+

Take a journey through the seasons using only flowers, leaves and seeds particular to that time of the year. From bounding hares to swooping swallows, this is a visual treat that makes it a book to treasure for all ages. The lyrical informative text is the perfect compliment to the natural collages. It would make a lovely present for Easter, especially if paired with a flower press. A cornucopia of natural wonder that will delight and entrance.

ISBN 9781783707966 PB Big Picture Press £12.99

UP, DOWN & OTHER OPPOSITES WITH ELLSWORTH KELLY

BOARD BOOK 2+

Learn to recognise opposites and appreciate one of the worlds leading abstract artists. This chunky board book encourages early learners to point out and engage with different paintings which show visual opposites such as full/empty, back/front or together/apart. A cultural and entertaining challenge for little ones to appreciate modern art and also learn to look and spot the differences. Iconic images paired with quirky, funny text will capture the minds of adults and budding art enthusiasts alike.

ISBN 9780714876290 HB Phaidon £7.95

MAX THE THEATRE CAT AND THE DISAPPEARING DIVA BY SARAH TODD TAYLOR

CHILDREN 8+

Max, a pampered cat and now chief mouse hunter at the Theatre Royal is up to his whiskers in his first mystery. Why is Madam Emerald, an opera diva behaving strangely? What is her maid so terrified of? Can Max save the day before the curtain rises? Children will love the madcap adventure full of drama and excitement. Atmospheric illustrations of the theatre and nighttime capers throughout just add to the hilarity.

ISBN 9781788000352 PB Nosy Crow £6.99

ORPHAN MONSTER SPY BY MATT KILLEEN

YOUNG ADULT 12+

When Sarah, a young Jewish girl is recruited to become a spy in Nazi Germany, she must befriend the daughter of a top nuclear scientist and put a stop to his chilling experiments. Non-stop action imbued with historical facts bring a timely, unflinching reminder of the horrors of war to life. While dark in places this nail-biting story will hold you in it's thrall to the chilling end. Great for book group discussion.

ISBN 9781474942386 PB Usborne £7.99