SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDREN'S BOOK REVIEW MARCH 21-22 2020

This week my children's book reviews include a riveting sci-fi middle grade adventure, a charming board book exploring farm life plus two more middle grade reads including a collection of classic stories featuring brave girls and an insightful road trip across the south in America 

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE BIGWOOF CONSPIRACY BY DASHE ROBERTS

CHILDREN 9+

Twelve-year-old UFO-obsessed Lucy Sladan is investigating unexplained disappearances in her home town Sticky Pines. She teams up with a strange thirteen-year-old boy called Milo to uncover the mystery. But what happens when they discover a huge hairy creature! A quirky cast of characters and bizarre occurrences will keep the kids hooked. A hilarious and exciting new sci-fi series that has a wide appeal. Stranger Things meets The Goonies.

Nosy Crow PB £6.99

WHAT CAN YOU SEE? ON THE FARM BY MARIA PERERA & KATE WARE

BOARD BOOK 3+

Explore a farmyard with charming peep-through pages and layered landscapes. Children will love spotting and counting the different animals, vehicles and food on each page. It is also peppered with facts. Find out what a baby pig and cow is called. Count how many chicks are on the page. The bold colours and sturdy pages are perfect for curious fingers. A great way to occupy an hour or two.

HB Little Tiger £7.99

FAVOURITE STORIES OF COURAGEOUS GIRLS BY VARIOUS

CHILDREN 8+

A wonderful collection of inspirational stories about brave girls who face up to fear and fight against unfairness. Children will be introduced to some of the best-loved heroines in children's' books. From Jo March cutting her hair to raise money to Anne of Green Gables saving her friends life. Each chapter has an introduction before the satisfying extract. This is a lovely gift to share on Mothers Day and will encourage children to explore the classics.

Hodder PB £6.99

CLEAN GETAWAY BY NIC STONE

CHILDREN 9+

Eleven-year-old Scoob and his Grandma are going on a spontaneous road trip in her new camper van across America. Armed with the Green Book showing the 'safe' places for African Americans Scoob soon learns nothing is what it seems. When the past meets the present, family secrets are exposed Scoob is getting more of an education that he realised. This entertaining road trip is a heartwarming and thought-provoking family drama that highlights prejudice in American history.

Knights Of PB £6.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW JUNE 29-30

This week my children's book reviews include a young runner with tough choices for middle grade readers, a picture book about a naughty bear's first visit to the cinema, an enchanting circus adventure for middle grade readers and a glittering Bollywood romance for young adults. Perfect for the holidays.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

GHOST BY JASON REYNOLDS

CHILDREN 10+

When Ghost is recruited onto an elite running team he must decide what path he must travel. Will he be held back by his traumatic past or will he harness his awesome running talent and win the big race? An exciting coming-of-age urban drama about not letting the challenges and circumstances of life dictate your outcome or dreams. Ghost is a flawed but ultimately inspiring hero who the kids will be cheering on.

ISBN 9781999642525 PB Knights Of £6.99

DAISY AND BEAR BY FABI SANTIAGO

PICTURE BOOK 3+

When Daisy decides to take her friend Bear to the cinema for the first time what could possibly go wrong? Children will love how naughty Bear is. During the film he eats noisily, wriggles around and even answers his phone! The glorious illustrations perfectly capture the twilight of the cinema and the trouble an enormous golden bear can cause. I am sure everyone has experienced their own 'bear' at the cinema or theatre. Hilarious!

ISBN 9781407186696 PB Scholastic £6.99

THE BUTTERFLY CIRCUS BY FRANCESCA ARMOUR-CHELU

CHILDREN 9+

Sisters Tansy and Belle are dazzling trapeze artists until Tansy falls and loses her nerve and Belle mysteriously disappears. When Tansy's shadow comes mysteriously to life can she rediscover her courage and save her sister? Children will fly high with this enchanting circus adventure and its wonderful cast of characters. I loved the gorgeous behind the scene details of the travelling circus. This irresistible story is perfect for fans of Katherine Rundell and Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

ISBN 9781406384369 PB Walker Books £6.99

MY SO-CALLED BOLLYWOOD LIFE BY NISHA SHARMA

YOUNG ADULT 12+

Bollywood film fanatic Winnie is predicted to find love before her eighteenth birthday. But when her fated loved does not transpire she feels lost. Fellow film geek Dev encourages her to find her own happily ever after. A funny and touching romance that celebrates life even when it goes off script. It perfectly encapsulates the ups and downs of growing up while accepting the help of friends, family and even a Bollywood superstar!

ISBN 9781788951463 PB Stripes £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW AUGUST 4-5

This week my children's book reviews include a war time adventure for horse lovers, a book of mesmerising masks, a picture book based on a Grimm's fairy tale and an exciting mystery based on a video game

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

FLIGHT BY VANESSA HARBOUR
CHILDREN 9+
Austria 1945. A young Jewish boy, Jakob and his guardian must smuggle a group of rare Lippizzaner stallions to safety across Nazi territory. Can they survive the perilous journey across the Austrian mountains with the help of a Roma orphan, Kizzy? Based on a true story readers will genuinely care about the plight of the beautiful dancing horses in this heart-stopping adventure. This is ideal for animal lovers and fans of Michael Morpurgo and Emma Carroll.

ISBN 9781910080764 PB Firefly £6.99

THE OLD WOMAN WHO LIVED IN A VINEGAR BOTTLE BY RUMER GODDEN & MAIRI HEDDERWICK
PICTURE BOOK 5+
An old woman saves a charming fish prince who grants her wishes in return. At first, her wishes are humble, but soon they become more extravagant. Can her wishes truly bring her happiness? Based on a Grimm's fairytale this charming and pertinent tale is brought to life by Hedderwick's ink and watercolour illustrations who is best known for her beloved Katie Morag stories. A perfect bedtime story to share.
ISBN 9781782505105 PB Kelpies £6.99

MYTHICAL BEASTS MASKS BY GAVIN RUTHERFORD & TANYA BATRAK
CHILDREN 8+
Transform into your favourite mythical beasts with these fantastic 3D masks. Children can pick from ten strikingly beautiful paper masks such as a unicorn, a griffin, a mermaid and, my favourite, a dragon. Press out and construct each mask by using the easy to follow instructions. Great for costume parties, dressing up or holiday activities. Also, you can read fascinating stories about each mythical beast which will inspire children to play make-believe.
ISBN 9781782406211 PB Ivy Kids £12.99

KNIGHTS AND BIKES BY GABRIELLE KENT
CHILDREN 9+
Demelza and her best friend Nessa must uncover the mysteries of the Penfurzy Knights. Together with their pet goose, they must solve puzzles and face danger only with the aid of frisbees, water balloons and a toilet-plunger! Will they be able to lift an ancient curse? This mystery adventure is based on a computer game and is boisterous, exciting and full of fun. An engaging read full of witty illustrations, perfect for the holidays.
ISBN 9781999642501 Knights of Media £6.99