FATHERS DAY CHILDRENS BOOK COLUMN SOUTH WALES EVENING POST JUNE 17-18

This week my pick of children's book include two picture books perfect for Fathers Day this Sunday. Also an educational activity book about sea creatures and a young adult historical romance set in World War Two.

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

BOOK OF THE WEEK

ME AND MY DAD BY ROBIN SHAW

PICTURE BOOK 3+

A young girl goes on a walk with her dad. She discovers castles, crocodiles and dinosaurs but the best surprise is at the end. A joyful celebration of the bond between Father and child and the power of the imagination. The illustrations are to be savoured, poured over and shared. The first children's book from the animator of Snowman and Snow Dog, this will transport, inspire and melt hearts. Perfect for Fathers Day.

ISBN 9781444928112 HB Hodder Books £12.99

I LOVE MY GRANDAD BY GILES ANDREAE & EMMA DODD

PICTURE BOOK 2+

Special Grandad's should always be remembered on Fathers Day. Feel the joy and fun of spending the day with Grandad. Whether its playing games, solving problems or going on adventures, they are a treasure trove of information and ideas. Bold cheerful illustrations perfectly capture the loving relationship between the generations. A great gift to share.

ISBN 9781408338179 PB Orchard Books £6.99

SHARKS AND OTHER SEA CREATURES BY DORLING KINDERSLEY

CHILDREN 4+

Want to explore the ocean? Find out about super sharks, pretty parrot fish, and all their friends? This is a blend of educational content and simple creative fun. Why not paint a puffer fish, make your own jellyfish or create an ocean in an egg box! Imaginative and informative this is wonderful to engage young minds with fun projects and facts. Also in the series are farm animals, bugs and forest life. Perfect for the holidays.

ISBN 9780241274385 HB Dorling Kindersley £7.99

A BERLIN LOVE SONG BY SARAH MATTHIAS

YOUNG ADULT 13+

Set against the backdrop of World War Two, seventeen year old,German schoolboy, Max falls in love with Lili, a Romani trapeze artist from a travelling circus. Will their forbidden love survive when he is conscripted into the SS? A beautiful, heartbreaking romance that shines a light on the Romani Holocaust. A powerful, bitter sweet, insightful novel that will stay with you long after you finish it. Great for discussion in teenage and adult book clubs.

ISBN 9781909991408 PB Troika Books £7.99

SOUTH WALES EVENING POST CHILDRENS BOOK REVIEW NOVEMBER 19-20

This week in my childrens book review column I have picked a book of Christmas cards to make your own and great for creative kids, a picture book about a turtle in a dilemma, a mystery that only a young Sherlock Holmes can solve and an epic fantasy for fans of Harry Potter and Narnia. 

BOOK OF THE WEEK

THE COLOURING BOOK OF CARDS AND ENVELOPES: CHRISTMAS BY REBECCA JONES
CHILDRENS 7+
One of a great colouring and craft book series in association with The National Trust. The twenty four Christmas cards, envelopes and stickers are decorated with festive scenes including snowmen and robins ready for you to personalise with your own colours. There is also a companion book of Christmas gift boxes, including three recipes for ginger bread, peppermints and truffles that you can make and fill when assembled. Perfect holiday fun for the whole family.
ISBN9780857637260 PB Nosy Crow £9.99

WE FOUND A HAT BY JON KLASSEN
PICTURE BOOK 3+
Two turtles find a hat in the desert. It looks good on both of them but which one should have it? A finely observed tale of friendship, sharing and generosity of spirit. Their shifting eyes say so much with so little you really feel the turtles emotions as one fights his need for the hat. A visual comedy in three parts will amuse with its deadpan humour. Really heart warming finale to the acclaimed hat trilogy. Quietly profound and very special.
ISBN 9781406347517 HB Walker Books £12.99

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE DISAPPEARING DIAMOND BY SAM HEARN
CHILDREN 7+
The first of the Baker Street Academy series this is perfect for Sherlock fans. Young Watson has arrived at a new school and is befriended by Martha Hudson and a certain Sherlock Holmes. When an infamous diamond goes missing on a school trip it's up to them to solve the crime. Or will bully Moriarty try to scupper their investigation? Told through cartoon strips, blog entries and detective notes this will have every super sleuth hooked and on the case!
ISBN 9781407161846 HB Scholastic £8.99

THE KINGS REVENGE BY PHILIP WOMACK
CHILDRENS 11+
The epic conclusion to The Darkening Path trilogy. Friends Simon and Flora must face one final challenge in the land of the Broken King. Failure means losing their siblings forever and never returning home. With shades of Greek myth, Arthurian legend and Grimms fairtyales this classic fantasy adventure with its myriad of colourful and magical characters will cast a spell over you. For fans of Harry Potter and C.S Lewis and appealing to boys and girls.
ISBN 9781909991309 PB Troika Books £6.99